Navratri 2023: Navratri is a time of great joy and celebration for Hindus all over the world. It is a time to reflect on their spiritual journey, to seek the blessings of Durga, and to come together with family and friends.
Navratri is a Hindu festival that celebrates the divine feminine energy, or Shakti. It is one of the most important and popular festivals in India, and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Navratri falls twice a year, in the spring and autumn, but the autumn festival is the more widely celebrated.
The nine nights of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of Durga, who is the embodiment of Shakti. Durga is known as a warrior goddess, and she is worshipped for her strength, courage, and wisdom.
During Navratri, people fast, pray, and sing hymns to Durga. They also decorate their homes and temples, and participate in traditional dances and performances. On the tenth day of Navratri, known as Dussehra, people celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Shardiya Navratri 2023 Date
Shardiya Navratri 2023 will begin on October 15, 2023 and will conclude with Dusshera on October 24, 2023. The festival is celebrated for nine consecutive nights and begins on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. The festival is observed to honor the goddess Durga, an embodiment of the supreme goddess Adi Parashakti. The fourth Navaratri, named after the autumn season (Sharada), is one of the most important Navratri of the year.
Shardiya Navratri 2023 Muhurat Timing
| Event | Shardiya Navratri 2023 |
| Worship of | Goddess Durga |
| Purpose | Worshiping of Goddess Durga and seeking blessings |
| Occurrence | Annually |
| Starting day | 15 October 2023 |
| Ending day | 23 October 2023 |
| Total days | 9 |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Celebrations | Puja, Fasting, Aarti, Garba, Dandia |
| Observances | Stage setting, prayers, plays, dramas, fasting, puja, bonfires |
Different ceremonies and traditions are used to celebrate the nine auspicious days with tremendous enthusiasm. The tenth day, after the 9 auspicious days of Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja and Dusshera to mark the triumph of good over evil.
Navratri Colours 2023
Navratri is a Hindu festival that spans over nine days and nights. Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific color and deity. The following table lists the colors for each day of Navratri 2023:
| Day | Date | Color | Deity |
| 1 | 15-Oct | Pink | Shailputri |
| 2 | 16-Oct | White | Brahmacharini |
| 3 | 17-Oct | Yellow | Chandraghanta |
| 4 | 18-Oct | Red | Kushmanda |
| 5 | 19-Oct | Royal Blue | Skandamata |
| 6 | 20-Oct | Peacock Green | Katyayani |
| 7 | 21-Oct | Grey | Kalaratri |
| 8 | 22-Oct | Orange | Mahagauri |
| 9 | 23-Oct | Purple | Siddhidatri |
These colors are believed to represent the different forms of Goddess Durga, who is worshipped during Navratri. The colors also have cultural and spiritual significance during the celebration.
What is the history of Navratri?
Navratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated for nine consecutive nights and begins on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. The festival is observed to honor the goddess Durga, an embodiment of the supreme goddess Adi Parashakti. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across India. Here are some ways Navratri is celebrated in different parts of India.
The history of Navratri dates back to ancient times. It is believed that Navratri was first celebrated by Lord Brahma to honor the goddess Amba. Later on, it became an integral part of Hindu culture and was celebrated to honor different forms of goddess Durga.
During Navratri, people perform Garba to worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms. The festival has evolved over time and has been influenced by various cultures. Today, Navratri is celebrated not only in India but also in other parts of the world where there are Indian communities.
The nine nights of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of Durga:
- Day 1: Shailputri
- Day 2: Brahmacharini
- Day 3: Chandraghanta
- Day 4: Kushmanda
- Day 5: Skandamata
- Day 6: Katyayani
- Day 7: Kaalaratri
- Day 8: Mahagauri
- Day 9: Siddhidatri
During Navratri, people fast, pray, and sing hymns to Durga. They also decorate their homes and temples, and participate in traditional dances and performances. On the tenth day of Navratri, known as Dussehra, people celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Navratri is a time for Hindus to reflect on their spiritual journey and to seek the blessings of Durga. It is also a time for families and friends to come together and celebrate.
Here are some of the ways that Navratri is celebrated in India:
- Fasting: Many people fast during Navratri, eating only vegetarian food. Some people also avoid certain foods, such as garlic and onions. Fasting is a way to purify the body and mind, and to focus on spiritual pursuits.
- Prayer: People pray to Durga and sing hymns to her. They also visit temples and shrines to Durga. Prayer is a way to connect with Durga and to seek her blessings.
- Dances and performances: Traditional dances and performances are held during Navratri. One of the most popular dances is Garba, which is a Gujarati folk dance. Garba is a lively and energetic dance, and it is a way to celebrate the joy and festivity of Navratri.
- Decorations: People decorate their homes and temples with flowers, lights, and other decorations. The decorations create a festive atmosphere and help to evoke the spirit of Navratri.
- Dussehra: On the tenth day of Navratri, people celebrate Dussehra, which is the victory of good over evil. They burn effigies of Ravana, the demon king who was defeated by Lord Rama. Dussehra is a reminder that good will always triumph over evil.
What are the different ways Navratri is celebrated?
Navratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across India. The festival is observed for nine consecutive nights and begins on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. Here are some ways Navratri is celebrated in different parts of India:
- Northern India: In North India, Navratri is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over the evil king Ravana. It culminates in the celebrations of the Ramlila which is enacted ceremoniously during Dussehra. These nine days are filled with special pujas, yagnas, homas, fasting, meditations, silence, singing, and dancing honoring Mother Divine, her entire creation – all forms of life, all forms of art, music, and knowledge.
- Western India: In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. Garba is a graceful form of dance, wherein women dance gracefully in circles around a pot containing a lamp. The word ‘Garba’ or ‘Garbha’ means womb, and in this context the lamp in the pot symbolically represents life within a womb. Besides Garba, there is also Dandiya dance, in which men and women participate in pairs with small decorated bamboo sticks called dandiyas in their hands.
- Eastern India: In Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal and Odisha, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja. The festival marks the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show for five days. The last day of Durga Puja is called Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
- Southern India: In Southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Navratri is celebrated as Golu or Kolu. During this festival, dolls are arranged on steps or shelves to depict various themes such as mythology or social issues. Women invite each other to their homes to view their Golu displays.
These are just a few examples of how Navratri is celebrated across India. There are many more unique ways to celebrate this auspicious festival.
What is the significance of Garba dance?
Garba is a circular pattern-based dance form that is mostly presented at festivals and other important events in the Indian state of Gujarat. The word ‘Garba’ or ‘Garbha’ means womb, and in this context, the lamp in the pot symbolically represents life within a womb. Garba respects, reveres, and celebrates the feminine aspect of divinity. The dance is traditionally performed by women in a circle around a garbha deep (literally, “womb lamp”), which is a clay lantern with a light within.
The container of deep itself is a representation of the body that houses divinity (in the person of the goddess or Devi). To celebrate the truth that every individual possesses the divine force of Devi inside them, garba is danced around this symbol. The dance starts out softly and picks up speed gradually. The Garba dance style honors womanhood, celebrates fertility, and pays homage to all nine varieties of mother deities.
What is the history of Garba dance?
Garba is a traditional Indian dance form that originated in the state of Gujarat. The word ‘Garba’ or ‘Garbha’ means womb, and in this context, the lamp in the pot symbolically represents life within a womb. Garba respects, reveres, and celebrates the feminine aspect of divinity. The dance is traditionally performed by women in a circle around a garbha deep (literally, “womb lamp”), which is a clay lantern with a light within. The container of deep itself is a representation of the body that houses divinity (in the person of the goddess or Devi).
To celebrate the truth that every individual possesses the divine force of Devi inside them, garba is danced around this symbol. The dance starts out softly and picks up speed gradually. The Garba dance style honors womanhood, celebrates fertility, and pays homage to all nine varieties of mother deities.
The history of Garba dance dates back to ancient times. It is believed that Garba was first performed by Lord Krishna and his friends to celebrate the festival of Holi. Later on, it became an integral part of Navratri celebrations in Gujarat. During Navratri, people perform Garba to worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms. The dance form has evolved over time and has been influenced by various cultures. Today, Garba is performed not only in India but also in other parts of the world where there are Gujarati communities.
Conclusion | Navratri 2023
Navratri is a time of great spiritual significance for Hindus. It is a time to reflect on their spiritual journey, to seek the blessings of Durga, and to come together with family and friends. Navratri is also a time to celebrate the divine feminine energy, which is the source of all creation.