Must Read : NINE DAYS OF NAVRATRI

Day 1 – The first day is the day of Shailaputri Devi. shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri)of the mountain (shaila). She rides a bull and carries a Trident and a lotus in her two hands. The color to wear on the first day is Yellow.
Day 2 – The second day is the day of Bharmachirini. She is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmachirini means one who practice devout austerity. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. The color to wear on the second day is Green.
Day 3 – The third day is the day of Goddess Durga is ‘chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navarati, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides on a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She has a half moon in her forehead in the shape of a bell. That is why she is called ‘chandraghanta’. The color to wear on the third day is Grey.
Day 4 – The forth day of Mother Goddess is ‘Kushmanda’. She is considered the creator of the universe. She is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion. The color to wear on the fourth day is Orange.
Day 5 – The fifth day is the day of ‘Skanda Mata’- the mother of Skanda or lord kartikey, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. The color to wear on fifth day is White.
Day 6 – The sixth day is the day of ‘Katyayani’. The legend behind her name goes thus: once upon a time, there was a great sage called kata, who had a son named katya. Kata was very famous and renounced in the lineage of saints. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish ‘Katyayani’was born to katra as an avatar of Durga. The color of wear on the sixth day is Red.
Day 7 – This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. She is black like Goddess kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. The color to wear on the seventh day is Blue.
Day 8 – Maha gauri is the eight form of Durga Maa. Maha gauri is intelligent peaceful and calm. It is said that due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas her color transformed from white to black. However, later when lord shiva cleaned her with the water of the ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which means extremely white. The color to wear on eighth day is Pink.
Day 9 – Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess Durga. siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion. The color to wear on the ninth day is Purple.

• INDIA 121 BY Kanika Gautom