October Navratri 2024: Your Complete Guide to the 9-Day Celebration. Discover key dates, rituals, and the significance of each day in this vibrant festival, along with the associated colors.
October Navratri 2024: Complete 9-Day Calendar with Dates, Significance, and Color Guide
Navratri, a vibrant and spiritually significant festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, is celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm across India. This nine-day festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is observed by millions who worship the nine forms of the goddess.
In 2024, Navratri begins on Thursday, October 3 and concludes on Saturday, October 12. Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific avatar of the goddess, marked by unique rituals, offerings, and colours.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to Navratri 2024, outlining the daily rituals, the form of Durga worshipped, and the corresponding auspicious colours.
Day | Date | Tithi | Puja | Colour | Significance |
Day 1 | Thursday, October 3, 2024 | Pratipada | Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja | Yellow | The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, symbolising Goddess Durga’s presence. Devotees worship Shailputri, who represents strength and wisdom. Yellow symbolises joy and energy. |
Day 2 | Friday, October 4, 2024 | Dwitiya | Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja | Green | Devoted to Brahmacharini, the embodiment of love, devotion, and peace. Chandra Darshana marks the moon sighting. Green represents growth and renewal. |
Day 3 | Saturday, October 5, 2024 | Tritiya | Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja | Grey | Worship of Goddess Chandraghanta, known for her bravery and warrior spirit. Sindoor Tritiya ritual symbolizes the strength of married women. Grey represents balance and calmness. |
Day 4 | Sunday, October 6, 2024 | Chaturthi | Vinayaka Chaturthi, Kushmanda Puja | Orange | Coinciding with Vinayaka Chaturthi, devotees seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings for success. Goddess Kushmanda is also worshipped. Orange symbolises enthusiasm and warmth. |
Day 5 | Monday, October 7, 2024 | Panchami | Skandmata Puja | White | Worship of Skandamata, the mother of Lord Skanda (Murugan). White symbolises purity and innocence, believed to enhance devotion and bring divine blessings. |
Day 6 | Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | Shashthi | Katyayani Maa Puja | Red | Goddess Katyayani, the goddess of power and courage, is invoked to remove obstacles. Red represents vitality and strength. |
Day 7 | Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | Saptami | Saraswati Avahan, Kaalratri Puja | Royal Blue | Worship of Goddess Kaalratri, the fierce and destructive form of Durga. Royal blue symbolises richness, tranquillity, and depth, reflecting Kaalratri’s powerful yet calming nature. |
Day 8 | Thursday, October 10, 2024 | Ashtami | Mahagauri Puja | Pink | Known as Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri is worshipped for her purity and beauty. Pink symbolises universal love, affection, and harmony, inspiring compassion and connection. |
Day 9 | Friday, October 11, 2024 | Navami | Durga Ashtami, Siddhidatri Puja | Purple | The final day, dedicated to Siddhidatri, the giver of supernatural powers. Purple symbolises luxury, grandeur, and nobility, believed to bestow spiritual strength and opulence. |