Navratri 2024: Important dates, timings and significance

Navratri, a Hindu festival, symbolises the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. In 2024, Shardiya Navratri begins on Thursday, October 3, marking nine sacred days dedicated to goddess Durga and her nine divine forms.

This vibrant festival is a celebration of devotion, culture and community spirit. Each day features unique rituals, dance forms like Garba and Dandiya Raas and colourful gatherings in the community.

Navratri also honours the strength of the divine feminine, with Goddess Durga representing resilience against injustice. As the festival unfolds, it heralds the festive season leading up to Diwali, inviting families to come together, share traditional meals and embrace the values of love, strength and harmony.

Event/Day	Date
Pratipada	Thursday, 3rd October 2024
Dwitiya	Friday, 4th October 2024
Tritiya	Saturday, 5th October 2024
Chaturthi	Sunday, 6th October 2024
Panchami	Monday, 7th October 2024
Shashti	Tuesday, 8th October 2024
Saptami	Wednesday, 9th October 2024
Ashtami	Thursday, 10th October 2024
Navami	Friday, 11th October 2024
Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra)	Saturday, 12th October 2024

Navratri 2024: Rituals and traditions

Navratri showcases a rich tapestry of rituals that reflect a profound devotion to the supreme Goddess Durga. The festivities kick off with Ghatasthapana, a sacred ritual where an earthen pot, or Kalash, is placed to honour both the Goddess and the universal creative energy.

Over the nine days of Navratri, each day is dedicated to a specific avatar of Goddess Durga, each representing unique virtues and energies. Devotees participate in special pujas, aartis, and chant mantras, seeking blessings from these divine manifestations.

Day 1: Shailaputri: Embodies strength and courage

Day 2: Brahmacharini: Symbolises piety and austerity

Day 3: Chandraghanta: Represents bravery and grace

Day 4: Kushmanda: Promotes health and well-being

Day 5: Skandamata: Bestows power and prosperity

Day 6: Katyayani: Encourages protection and abundance

Day 7: Kalaratri: Represents the fierce power to vanquish evil

Day 8: Mahagauri: Symbolises peace and endurance

Day 9: Siddhidatri: Bestows wisdom and enlightenment

Shardiya navratri

Maha Navratri, or Shardiya Navratri, is the pinnacle of the Navratri festivals in the Hindu calendar. This significant celebration occurs during the lunar month of ‘Ashwin’, coinciding with the autumn season known as ‘Sharad Ritu’. Each of the nine days is devoted to a distinct form of Goddess Durga, collectively called Navdurga, as devotees engage in rituals, prayers, fasting and offerings to seek her blessings for prosperity, health and spiritual growth.

The nine forms of Durga embody the essence of feminine energy, symbolising vital life qualities such as courage, compassion, wisdom and abundance.

Traditional dances, such as Garba and Dandiya, not only serve as a form of worship but also foster a sense of unity and joy among the people. The blend of spirituality and cultural expression makes Navratri a truly captivating experience.