“Navratri is manifesting the mystical, unveiling the secret of the consciousness and reconnecting with the source from which everything has sprung.” – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Indian festivities are known globally to be a colourful and vibrant celebration of life. One such festival we all look forward to is the nine nights of worshipping and celebrating the divine force of Devi, popularly known as ‘Navratri’ (‘nav‘ meaning nine or new, ‘ratri’ meaning nights). The festival is defined by celebrations including spiritual penance or fasting, keeping silence on one hand and sacred homa ceremonies, diverse cuisine, dance, music vivid decorations, and dawning colourful dresses on the other. Navratri celebrates and honours the nine different aspects of Mother Divine, also known as Nav Durga. Watch Gurudev talk in detail about the forms of Devi.
Did you know there is a beautiful connection between the dazzling colours and Navratri? Each night of Navratri has come to be associated with a particular colour because of what the colour symbolises.
The Nine Colours of Navratri 2024
Every year, while the set of colours remains the same, the order varies depending on which day Navratri falls. Here is a list of the days of Navratri, along with the associated colour, this year, in a snapshot:
- First Day (3rd October) – Pratipada – Yellow
- Second Day (4th October) – Dwitiya – Green
- Third-Day (5th October) – Tritiya – Grey
- Fourth Day (6th October) – Chaturthi – Orange
- Fifth Day (7th October) – Panchami – White
- Sixth Day (8th October) – Shashti – Red
- Seventh Day (9th October) – Saptami – Royal Blue
- Eighth Day (10th October) – Ashtami – Pink
- Ninth Day (11th October) – Navami – Purple
Significance of the colours
Each of the nine colours of Navratri symbolizes a distinct quality of the Devi.
- Yellow: Yellow is the colour of brightness, happiness, and cheer – traits of the Devi.
- Green: Green is a symbol of growth and fertility required to sustain in every field.
- Grey: Grey represents balance.
- Orange: Orange symbolizes radiance and energy.
- White: White symbolizes peace, purity, and prayer in devotees’ hearts when they worship the Devi energy.
- Red: Red symbolizes action and vigour. It symbolizes the fierce form of the Goddess.
- Royal Blue: Royal blue symbolizes tranquillity and the depth of the dark blue sky. It is a representation of the depth of wisdom the Devi holds.
- Pink: Pink symbolizes love, affection, and harmony.
- Purple: Reflects spirituality, ambition, and prosperity.
This year, as the celebrations draw closer, make it fun at work by showing up in colo-co-ordinated dresses and accessories to make the most of the festival and honour the divine. You can also flaunt these vibrant colours during Garba and Dandiya raas nights!
Did you know?
Did you know that apart from colours, each day of Navratri is associated with one quality of the Devi that can be invoked in us through meditation? Join Gurudev as he takes us through simple yet effective meditations for each of the nine nights. Meditate with Gurudev!
Wondering what to do during Navratri?
Fret not, we have compiled a list of activities you can do to celebrate and make the most of the festivities.
Apart from these, The Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru will host various spiritual programs to take you deeper and give you a complete experience of the nine beautiful days of Navaratri. Register yourselves today! Catch the entire schedule here!
Join live Navratri 2024 celebrations here live.vaidicpujas.org
