Navratri

Categories:: Religious
Tags:: Hindu Indian Holidays
Where:: India
Date change rule:: Falls in the lunar month Ashwin during Sharad Ritu
Holiday emoji:: 🪔

Navratri, meaning ‘nine nights,’ celebrates the divine feminine, Devi, each spring and autumn. This Hindu festival honors the triumph of good over evil, with specific customs varying by region. Join millions in fasting, feasting, and vibrant cultural celebrations.

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Expected Navratri Deals

Navratri, a period of spiritual reflection and vibrant cultural celebration, sees a shift from typical commercial deals to offerings that support traditional practices and community engagement. Brands like Fabindia and Tanishq often feature special collections of ethnic wear and jewelry suitable for the festivities, while food retailers such as Haldiram’s provide fasting-friendly snacks and sweets. E-commerce platforms like Amazon India curate ‘Navratri Storefronts’ with puja essentials, devotional music, and traditional attire. Many local businesses and community centers organize Garba and Dandiya Raas events, with tickets and passes available for purchase. Donations to temples and charitable organizations, such as ISKCON, are also common. We will update this page with confirmed live cultural events and special offerings as March 19 approaches.

Platform Guide for Navratri

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #Navratri. Share vibrant photos of your traditional attire, home altars, or Garba dance performances.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #Navratri. Join or create local event pages to organize community gatherings and share festive recipes.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create or watch tutorials for traditional Navratri dishes, Garba dance steps, or devotional songs.

Navratri Hero

Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga is a principal and popular Hindu deity, revered as the supreme mother goddess and the protector of righteousness. During Navratri, she is celebrated in her various forms, symbolizing divine strength and the triumph of good over evil, particularly her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

History of Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the deity Durga for eliminating Mahishasura the demon. Due to his dedication to the supreme Lord Brahma, Mahushasura was gifted with immortality. Even though this meant that he couldn’t be killed, a condition to this blessing existed that the only one able to defeat the demon would be a female.

Confident in his strength, Mahishasura was assured that no woman would ever be stronger than him, or enough to kill him. With time, Mahishasura and his army became unstoppable, terrorizing people, and none of the gods were able to defeat him.

Three of the most powerful gods — Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma came together to create a woman who would be powerful enough to destroy Mahishasura once and for all. This woman was the goddess Durga.

Equipped with weapons, Durga met the demon for a battle. The duration of the battle lasted 10 days, by the end of which, Durga was finally able to vanquish Mahishasura.

Navratri timeline

5114 BC

The Story of Rama and Ravana

Many historians believe this is the date for Ramayana — the story of the life of King Rama.

1500 BC

The First Durga Puja Celebration

Landlords of Dinajpur and Malda organized the first formal Durga Puja celebration.

1790

The First Community Puja

A dozen friends from Bengal teamed up and collected contributions to conduct the first community puja. They started a trend that is still popular in India today.

2008

A Magnificent Display

The performance arts that take place on Navratri are deemed as "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Navratri

Local businesses can honor Navratri by creating an inclusive and festive atmosphere. Restaurants can offer special ‘vrat’ (fasting) menus featuring traditional Navratri dishes, while clothing boutiques can showcase traditional Indian attire suitable for Garba and puja. Retailers can curate displays of puja items, devotional music, and festive home decor. Event organizers can host community Garba and Dandiya Raas nights, providing a space for celebration and cultural expression. Consider partnering with local cultural organizations to support community events.

Navratri FAQs

When is Navratri?

In 2027, Navratri commences on Sunday, February 7, and runs through Tuesday, February 16. The dates shift annually as the festival follows the lunar Hindu calendar.

How many Navratri festivals are there each year?

Each year features four distinct Navratri periods, corresponding to the changing seasons. Among these, Sharada Navratri (autumn) and Vasanta Navratri (spring) are the most widely celebrated, with the spring observance often coinciding with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.

How is Navratri celebrated across India?

Across India, Navratri is marked by diverse traditions. From the elaborate idol worship and pandals of Durga Puja in the East to the fasting, prayers, and effigy burning of Ravana in the North, each region offers a unique expression of devotion and festivity.

What is the significance of the nine nights?

The nine nights hold profound spiritual significance, representing the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. These forms are worshipped to invoke blessings for strength, wisdom, and prosperity, culminating in the victory of good over evil on the tenth day, Vijayadashami.

How to Observe Navratri

Perform the traditional dances
There are two main dances that are performed to celebrate Navratri. Join the dance or watch a performance of this exciting custom.
Fast on Navratri
Fast during the day, keeping your diet light, followed by a proper meal after sunset.
Worship the deities
Pray extensively for abundance in blessings, and carry out the spiritual rituals such as Aarti.

5 Facts About Navratri Worth Knowing

The goddess Durga is celebrated
Navratri celebrates the goddess Durga, and her victory against the demon Mahushasura.
The duration of the battle
The battle between Durga and Mahushasura lasted nine days and nights, which is where the festival got its name from.
A color a day
A different color is used each day of the festival, and each color symbolizes a distinct trait of Durga.
Concluding of the festival
Navratri ends with Dussehra.
The two main dances of Navratri
The two dances performed on Navratri are Garba and Raas.

Why Navratri is Important

A grand Hindu celebration
Navratri is one of the many Hindu festivals celebrated throughout the year. Navratri is a grand celebration of when the goddess Durga defeated the seemingly immortal demon Mahushaura.
Triumph of good over evil
The symbolism of the story is that good will always triumph over evil, even in the face of insurmountable odds.
Women power
The ancient Hindu story celebrates a woman and her power in this world, which is more relevant than ever in today’s modern world.