When is Shardiya Navratri this year? Date, Significance and more

Shardiya Navratri is one of the most celebrated and auspicious festivals in the Hindu tradition, dedicated to Goddess Durga. This year Shardiya Navratri will begin on October 3rd and will end on October 11th. The festival lasts for nine days and is observed in the Hindu month of Ashwin, marking the beginning of the autumn season. The word "Navratri" translates to "nine nights" in Sanskrit, with "shardiya" referring to the season of autumn or Sharad Ritu. The festival is believed to be a period of purification, where people seek the blessings of Goddess Durga for health, prosperity, and spiritual wisdom.

Significance of Shardiya Navratri

Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars (called Navadurga), each of which is worshipped on a different day of the festival. These goddesses represent different aspects of the feminine divine, ranging from strength, wisdom, and courage to wealth and prosperity.
The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil. It commemorates Goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura, representing the destruction of ignorance and the triumph of righteousness (Dharma).

The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga:

Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga:

Day 1: Shailaputri – Goddess of the mountains and nature.
Day 2: Brahmacharini – The goddess of penance and devotion.
Day 3: Chandraghanta – The goddess of peace and serenity.
Day 4: Kushmanda – The goddess who created the universe.
Day 5: Skandamata – The mother of Lord Kartikeya, symbolizing nurturing and strength.
Day 6: Katyayani – The goddess of courage and warrior-like energy.
Day 7: Kalaratri – The goddess of destruction, fierce and powerful.
Day 8: Mahagauri – The symbol of purity and serenity.
Day 9: Siddhidatri – The goddess who grants ultimate spiritual powers (Siddhi).

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