It’s Mahalaya today and Navratri 2018 is just around the corner. Indians across the country are looking to celebrate the 9-day festival with much fervour. Navratri 2018 starts on Wednesday, 10 October,2018 and will end on Friday, 19 October 2018. Also known as Maha Navratri, this festival falls in the lunar month of Ashwin during Sharad Ritu.
All the nine days of the festival are dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Shakti and the festivity culminates on tenth day with Vijay Dashami or Dussehra. Here’s all you need to know about the festival:
The Nine Days of Navratri
The goddesses worshipped during Navratri are all forms of Goddess Durga. Each of the nine days also has a designated colour which the devotees prefer to wear on the day. These colours are green, blue, red, orange, yellow, indigo, violet, pink and tints and hues of golden.
What Are the Important Dates Navratri 2018?
- Day 1: Pratipada (10 October 2018)
Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on this day. - Day 2: Dwitiya (11 October 2018)
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on this day. - Day 3: Tritiya (12 October 2018)
Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on this day. - Day 4: Chaturthi (13 October 2018)
Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on this day. - Day 5: Panchami (14 October 2018)
Goddess Skandamta is worshipped on this day. - Day 6: Shasthi (15 October 2018)
Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on this day. - Day 7: Saptami (16 October 2018)
Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on this day. - Day 8: Ashtami (17 October 2018)
Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on this day. - Day 9: Navami (18 October 2018)
Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on this day. - Dashami (19 October 2018)
Significance of Dussehra
The 9-day festivities end with Dussehra, signifying the victory of good over evil. One of the most popular legends of Dussehra goes back to the Ramayana. As per the story, it was on this day that Rama killed Ravana for abducting his wife Sita. Due to this, the festival is celebrated by burning the effigies of Ravana.
Cultural programmes are organised on Dussehra with dance, songs and lots to eat. Children can be seen running around dressed as vanara sena with bow and arrows in their hands. Ramleela is organised in various parts of the country which is an enactment of the folklore of Ramayana.