Navratri means “nine nights”, dedicated to the Divine Mother in her nine forms known as Navadurga. Two Navratris are widely observed: Chaitra Navratri in spring and Sharad Navratri in autumn, the one most people know. Here is a simple day-by-day guide.
The nine forms of Durga
| Day | Form | Common offering or colour association |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shailputri | Pure ghee |
| 2 | Brahmacharini | Sugar, fruit |
| 3 | Chandraghanta | Milk and milk sweets |
| 4 | Kushmanda | Malpua, pumpkin-based prasad |
| 5 | Skandamata | Bananas |
| 6 | Katyayani | Honey |
| 7 | Kaalratri | Jaggery |
| 8 | Mahagauri | Coconut, halwa-puri (Kanya puja) |
| 9 | Siddhidatri | Sesame, fruit and seasonal prasad |
Offerings and colours differ between regions, so treat this table as a common pattern and not a fixed rule.
Setting up the puja at home
- Clean a small space and place an image or idol of Durga on a red cloth.
- Many families sow barley seeds in a clay pot (jau) on day one and place a kalash with water and a coconut beside it (Ghatasthapana).
- Light a diya that you try to keep burning through the nine days, if your family follows that custom.
- Offer red flowers, kumkum, and fruit.
Our aarti thali checklist lists everything you need, including the Navratri additions such as chunri and sindoor.
Daily routine
- Morning: short puja, offering for the day’s form, and a few minutes of the Durga stotra or mantra you know.
- Evening: sing Jai Ambe Gauri, wave the thali clockwise and offer prasad.
On the eighth or ninth day, many families host Kanya puja, inviting young girls, washing their feet and serving them a meal as a form of the Goddess.
Other goddess aartis you can include
Navratri is a good time to also sing Om Jai Saraswati Mata (especially on the last days when books and tools are worshipped in some regions) and Jai Santoshi Mata.
Fasting, gently
A Navratri fast usually avoids grains, onion and garlic. Fruit, milk, kuttu or singhara flour and sabudana are common. If you are pregnant, elderly, or have a medical condition, a lighter fast is fine and many traditions encourage that. Devotion does not depend on how strict the fast is.
If your family celebrates differently
In Gujarat the nights are marked by garba, in Bengal Durga Puja is the focus, and in the south Golu displays are common. Follow your community’s customs and use this guide for the shared core: lamp, devotion and daily aarti.
Frequently asked questions
Which aarti is sung during Navratri?
Jai Ambe Gauri is the most widely sung Durga aarti during Navratri, usually after the daily puja morning or evening.
How many times is Navratri celebrated in a year?
Traditionally there are four Navratris, but two are widely observed: Chaitra Navratri in spring and Sharad Navratri in autumn.
Can beginners keep Navratri fasts?
Yes, many people keep a simple fast or only avoid grains and onion-garlic. If you have a health condition, follow your doctor's advice first.