Navratri: For Each Their Own

Dasha Hara is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within you.

Kama Vasana (Lust)
Krodha (Anger)
Moha (Attachment)
Lobha (Greed)
Mada (Over Pride)
Matsara (Jealousy)
Swartha (Selfishness)
Anyaaya (Injustice)
Amanavta (Cruelty)
Ahankara (Ego)

It's also known as 'Vijaydashami'- which means Vijaya over these ten bad qualities. This festival is about conquering the basic qualities of existence: May this be a day of victory for you.

Durga Puja in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam & Bihar Mother Goddess and the victory of the revered warrior Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura is celebrated. The festival honors the powerful female force (shakti) in the Universe. The sounds of Dhol, Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh, is all around

In Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as the doll festival (navratri kolu), where they decorate their temple with small idols of gods and goddesses on flower-bedecked wooden steps; and it is “Batukamma Panduga” in Andra Pradesh

In Gujarat in the evening, an earthen pot with holes and diyas inside, also known as “Garbi”, is lighted and women perform arti with it. During Navratri, Garba dance and Dandiya Raas are popular forms of dances performed by both men and women, wearing their traditional dresses. Similar is the celebration in Maharashtra too.

In Himachal Pradesh People celebrate the tenth day, also known as “Kullu Dussehra” as the day of return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. On this day, the idols from the temples are taken out in processions.

In Punjab, the people keep fast on the first 7 days of Navratri and end their fast on Ashthami or Navami by worshipping 9 little girls and a boy, which is known as “Kanjika”.

In Kerala, Navratri is associated with education. As this festival marks the victory of good over evil, Keralites consider these days as the most auspicious for learning or starting something new. During the last three days, they worship Goddess Saraswati and place books next to her statue in their homes. They call Saraswati Pooja

Apart from worshipping Goddess Durga, playing dandiyas, fasting, making special Navratri foods, many people also follow special colours of Navratri; 9 days and 9 colours that have different significance.

DAY 1 - ORANGE
The festival begins with the bright and vibrant Orange. This colour signifies energy and happiness. Hindus worship Goddess Shailputri on this day.
DAY 2 - WHITE
White is the colour for Day 2, which is a symbol of peace and purity. Hindus worship Goddess Brahmacharini on this day.
DAY 3 - RED
People wear red colour on the third day of Navratri. It signifies beauty and fearlessness. Hindus worship Goddess Chandraghanta on this day.
DAY 4 - ROYAL BLUE
The colour of the fourth day of Navratri is royal blue. This colour is considered good for health and wealth. Hindus worship Goddess Kushmanda on this day.
DAY 5 - YELLOW
People wear the colour yellow on the fifth day of the festival. The colour stands for happiness and brightness. Hindus worship Goddess Skandamata on Day 5.
DAY 6 - GREEN
This colour of the sixth day signifies new beginnings and growth. Hindus worship Goddess Katyayani on Day 6.
DAY 7 - GREY
The colour of the seventh day is grey, a colour which stands for the strength of transforming. Hindus worship Goddess Kalaratri on Day 6 and this day is called the Saptami.
DAY 8 - PURPLE
Called Ashtami, many people perform Kanjaks on this day. The colour of the day, purple, signifies the power of intellect and peace. People worship Goddess Mahagauri on this day.
DAY 9 - PEACOCK GREEN
This day is called Navami and is the last day of the Navratri festival. Rituals are performed on this day and Goddess Siddhidhatri is worshipped. The colour peacock green is believed to fulfill the desires of devotees.

Interesting fact is that the end of the fifteen-day period of ‘shradha’, when Hindus perform pujas in memory of their ancestors and deceased relatives, heralds the start of the festival of Navratri.