Navratri – नवरात्रि
Navratri is the nine-day festival dedicated to to the worship of the Hindu Devi Durga by Hindus all over india. The nine days represent the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. Navratri comes from the Sanskrit word ”nava” means nine and ”ratri” which is night. During this festival of nine nights, the nine forms of Shakti also known as Navdurga are worshipped across the country.
शारदीय नवरात्रि – Shardiya Navratri
Shardiya Navratri is the most popular and significant Navratri of all Navratris. Shardiya Navratri strats in Sharad Ritu is more popular therefore also known as Maha Navratri. The Sharada Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin during Sharad Ritu. The name Shardiya Navratri has been taken from Sharad Ritu. All nine days during Navratri are dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Shakti. Shardiya Navratri falls in the month of September or October. The nine days festivity culminates on tenth day with Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami. The Navratri is celebrated as the Durga Puja festival in East States of India.
This year i.e 2017 Shardiya Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri begins on 21st September 2017 and concludes on 30th September 2017.
Navratri Calendar 2017:
| 1st Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Partipada Ritual: Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshan, Shailputri Puja Goddess Worshipped: Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain) Offerings to the Goddess: Ghee Color to be worn on the Day:Yellow | 21st September 2017 (Thursday) |
| 2nd Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Dwitiya Ritual: Brahmacharini Puja Goddess Worshipped: Brahmacharini Offerings to the Goddess: Sugar Color to be worn on the Day: Green | 22nd September 2017 (Friday) |
| 3rd Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Tritiya Ritual: Sindoor Tritiya, Varad Vinayaka Chauth, Chandraghanta Puja Goddess Worshipped: Chandraghanta Offerings to the Goddess: Milk Color to be worn on the Day: Grey | 23rd September 2017 (Saturday) |
| 4th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Chaturthi Ritual: Kushmanda Puja, Upang Lalita Vrat Goddess Worshipped: Kushmanda Offerings to the Goddess: Malpua Color to be worn on the Day: Orange | 24th September 2017 (Sunday) |
| 5th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Panchami Ritual: Skandamata Puja Goddess Worshipped: Skandamata Offerings to the Goddess: Banana Color to be worn on the Day: White | 25th September 2017 (Monday) |
| 6th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Shasthi Ritual: Katyayani Puja Goddess Worshipped: Katyayani Offerings to the Goddess: Honey Color to be worn on the Day: Red | 26th September 2017 (Tuesday) |
| 7th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Saptami Ritual: Saraswatim Awahan, Kaalratri puja Goddess Worshipped: Kaalratri Offerings to the Goddess: Jaggery Dishes Color to be worn on the Day: Royal Blue | 27th September 2017 (Wednesday) |
| 8th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Ashtami Ritual: Saraswati Puja, Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja Goddess Worshipped: Maha Gauri Offerings to the Goddess: Coconut Color to be worn on the Day: Pink | 28th September 2017 (Thursady) |
| 9th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Navami Ritual: Maha Navami, Ayudha Puja, Navami Homa, Kanya Puja, Siddhidatri Puja Goddess Worshipped: Siddhidatri Offerings to the Goddess: Grains Color to be worn on the Day: Purple | 29th September 2017 (Friday) |
| 10th Day of Navratri | ||
 | Tithi: Dashami Ritual: Navratri Parana, Durga Visharjan, Vijayadashmi (Dussehra) | 30th September 2017 (Saturday) |
