As September 22, 2025, dawns, homes and communities across India and around the world welcome one of the most vibrant and spiritually uplifting festivals, Navaratri. This nine-day celebration of devotion, colour, dance, and prayer is a highlight of the Hindu calendar. Families prepare their homes with decorations, cook festive meals, visit temples, and immerse themselves in the energy of worship. At its heart, Navaratri honours the divine feminine energy in all its forms. The word itself means “nine nights,” and each of these nights is dedicated to a different aspect of the goddess. The first three nights celebrate Durga, the warrior goddess who destroys negativity. The next three are dedicated to Lakshmi, who blesses her devotees with prosperity and abundance. The final three are devoted to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, learning, and music. For many devotees, these nine days are observed with fasting or a strict vegetarian diet. Students, in particular, pray to Goddess Saraswati for blessings in their education and artistic pursuits. Schools, cultural groups, and temples organize special prayers and performances, ensuring that Navaratri becomes not only a personal but also a communal experience. It is a festival that connects generations, neighbours, and friends through devotion and celebration.
The Story of Navaratri
The origins of Navaratri are rooted in a powerful myth from Hindu tradition. The tale tells of the demon king Mahishasura, who through intense penance gained such strength that he became invincible to gods and humans alike. With his new power he set out to conquer the heavens, throwing the world into chaos. In response, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combined their energies to create a supreme force. From this divine power emerged Goddess Durga, the embodiment of Shakti, or cosmic feminine energy. Durga was armed with weapons gifted by each of the gods. Vishnu gave her his discus, Shiva his trident, and Indra his thunderbolt, while others offered their own symbols of power. Riding a majestic lion, Durga confronted Mahishasura in battle. Their fight raged for nine days and nights, shaking the heavens and earth. On the tenth day, Durga finally defeated him, restoring balance to the cosmos. This victory is commemorated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, symbolizing the eternal triumph of good over evil. The story is more than mythology; it inspires devotees to cultivate inner strength, courage, and virtue in their own lives.
Colours of the Nine Days
One of the most joyful aspects of Navaratri is the tradition of associating each day with a specific colour. Devotees dress in clothing of that day’s colour, filling homes, temples, and streets with vibrant hues that enhance the festive spirit. The first day begins with orange, a colour of enthusiasm and warmth. The second day is marked with white, symbolizing peace and purity. Red, representing passion and courage, dominates the third day. Royal blue, the colour of prosperity and divine energy, follows on the fourth day.
The fifth day is celebrated with yellow, radiating joy and harmony. Green, the colour of growth and renewal, is worn on the sixth day. Grey takes centre stage on the seventh day, symbolizing resilience and the destruction of negativity. Purple, a colour of transformation and spirituality, belongs to the eighth day. Finally, the ninth day is dedicated to peacock green, representing fulfilment, perfection, and wholeness. Together, these nine colours weave a tapestry of devotion and symbolism, reminding devotees of the many facets of life that the goddess protects and blesses.
Goddesses in Many Forms
Although Durga is central to Navaratri, the festival honours many goddesses, each embodying qualities that guide devotees through life. Lakshmi, associated with wealth and fortune, reminds worshippers of the importance of both material and spiritual prosperity. Saraswati blesses learning, wisdom, and creativity, and her worship is especially important to students, musicians, and artists. Kali represents the fierce and protective force that destroys evil, while Parvati embodies the nurturing love of the divine mother. Each form of the goddess reflects balance, showing that life requires courage, abundance, and wisdom in equal measure.
Regional Celebrations Across India
Navaratri is celebrated in diverse and distinctive ways across India, reflecting the cultural richness of the country. In Tamil Nadu and parts of South India, families create Golu, decorative displays of dolls and figurines that often include depictions of gods, goddesses, saints, and animals. These displays are arranged on steps, and neighbours are invited to view them while singing devotional songs and sharing prasadam, the blessed food offered to the goddess. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, evenings come alive with Garba and Dandiya Raas dances. Women and men dressed in traditional attire dance in circles, clapping or using decorated sticks, accompanied by lively folk music. The dances are both devotional and celebratory, bringing entire communities together in rhythm and movement. In Bengal, Navaratri coincides with the grand Durga Puja festival. Temporary temples known as pandals are constructed and elaborately decorated. Inside them stand magnificent idols of Durga, flanked by her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha. The days are filled with rituals, cultural performances, and music, culminating in processions where the idols are immersed in rivers or seas. In North India, Navaratri is linked to the enactment of the Ram Leela, the story of Lord Rama. The festival concludes with Vijayadashami, when effigies of Ravana are set aflame, symbolizing the destruction of arrogance and evil.
The Food of Navaratri
Food plays an important role in Navaratri observances. Many devotees fast partially or completely during the nine days. Meals prepared for fasting avoid grains, onion, and garlic, focusing instead on fruits, dairy, and specific flours. Popular dishes include sabudana khichdi made with tapioca pearls, kuttu puris made from buckwheat flour, and a wide variety of sweets such as kheer and ladoos. Sharing food with family, friends, and neighbours is an essential part of the festival, reinforcing its message of community and hospitality.
Navaratri Around the World
The spirit of Navaratri extends far beyond India. The Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom celebrates the festival with equal devotion and energy. Temples and cultural centres in these countries organize prayers, Garba nights, music, and dance performances. For second and third generation immigrants, these celebrations help preserve cultural roots and pass traditions to the next generation. Navaratri thus becomes a bridge between the homeland and the wider world, uniting people across continents in a shared spirit of devotion.
The Essence of Navaratri 2025
As Navaratri 2025 begins, it brings with it a reminder of the values that sustain life. The festival is not only about rituals but also about colour, joy, and togetherness. Each day introduces a new goddess, a new colour, and a new opportunity to celebrate. From wearing orange on the first day to peacock green on the ninth, from fasting with simple meals to dancing Garba until midnight, and from worshipping Durga to Saraswati, Navaratri encompasses every dimension of human life. At its heart, the festival teaches balance. It calls on us to summon strength like Durga, to seek prosperity like Lakshmi, and to pursue wisdom like Saraswati. Families gather, children learn traditions from their elders, and temples glow with lamps and chants. For nine nights and ten days, devotion transforms into celebration, and celebration into spiritual renewal. Navaratri remains one of the most beloved festivals because it connects faith with community and culture with joy. It is a time when differences blur and unity shines, reminding us that the divine feminine resides in every heart. As the world celebrates Navaratri this year, the goddess continues to inspire courage, harmony, and learning for all who seek her blessings.
