"Colors of Devotion: A Vibrant Journey Through Navratri 2023"

The festivities are in the air, and the atmosphere is filled with colors of celebration and joyousness, which were heralded by the onset of Ganesh Chaturthi. This year, too, was no different from the other years. I have always waited for this day in the calendar year with eagerness and a heart filled with anticipation of what to do, how to enjoy it, and how to contribute to the joyfulness of the festivities. Colors have been an integral part of Hinduism and, more so, Indian philosophy. Where white is the mother of all the colors, black went on to signify universal acceptance. Let me take you on a journey through what I foresee and present to you this year. As for us, Navratri festivities are filled with vibrant colors visible in the decorations, dresses, and designs all around you. Have you ever wondered about the significance of these colors? Yes, there is a pattern and meaning behind each color that dazzles the eye.

Nine colors of Navratri 2023

Every year, while the colors remain the same, the order varies depending on the day Navratri falls. Here is a list of the Navratri colors for 2023 in a snapshot:

First Day (15th October): Pratipada, White

Second Day (16th October): Dwitiya, Red

Third Day (17 October): Tritiya, Royal Blue

Fourth Day (18th October): Chaturthi, Yellow

Fifth Day (19 October): Panchami, Green

Sixth Day (20 October): Shashti, Orange/Yellow

Seventh Day (October 21st): Saptami: Green, Blue, Purple

Eighth Day (October 22): Ashtami, Red/Maroon

Ninth Day (October 23): Navami, White/Gold

The nine nights of Navratri are dedicated to the nine different avatars of Goddess Durga. Durga, the consort of Lord Shiva, assumed different avatars, each of which is invoked on every day of the festival, starting with Shailputri, followed by Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

While white is synonymous with purity and innocence, red symbolizes passion and love; royal blue represents tranquility; and yellow denotes festive cheer and happiness. Green is a symbol of growth and fertility, and gray represents a balance of emotions. Orange stands for warmth and positive energy; peacock green stands for uniqueness and individuality; and finally, pink stands for love, affection, and harmony.

Worshipping Goddess Navdurga in orange on Sunday bestows qualities such as warmth and exuberance. This color is full of positive energy and keeps the person upbeat.

The white color is synonymous with purity and innocence. Wear white on Monday to become worthy of the goddess' blessings and experience a feeling of inner peace and security.

On Tuesday, wear red for your Navratri celebrations. Red symbolizes passion and love and is also the most preferred color of chunri that is offered to the goddess. This color fills the person with vigor and vitality.

Wear royal blue on Wednesday and participate in Navratri celebrations with unmatched panache and elegance. Royal blue is a vivid shade of blue and represents richness and tranquility.

Wear yellow on Thursday and enjoy your Navratri day with a sense of unparalleled optimism and joy. This is a warm color that keeps the person cheerful all day.

The color green symbolizes nature and evokes a sense of growth, fertility, peace, and serenity. Wear green on Friday, and let the goddess bestow tranquility on you. Green also represents new beginnings in life.

The gray color represents balanced emotions and keeps the person down-to-earth. This color is also appropriate for those who want to participate in Navratri celebrations and make a subtle style statement with this undertone color shade.

Purple is associated with luxury, grandeur, and nobility. Worshipping Navdurga in purple bestows devotees with opulence and richness. So, do not shy away and don a beautiful purple outfit to receive the blessings of the goddess.

Peacock green implies uniqueness and individuality. Stand out in the crowd wearing this exquisite shade of blue and green on this day of Navratri. This color exudes the qualities associated with both of these colors, such as compassion and freshness.

Navratri Day 1 Shailputri is pink.

Navratri Day 2: Brahmacharini, White.

Navratri Day 3 Chandraghanta, red.

Navratri Day 4: Kushmanda, Orange.

Navratri Day 5: Skandamata, Yellow.

Navratri Day 6: Katyayani, Maroon.

Navratri Day 7 Kaalratri: Navy Blue.

Navratri Day 8 Mahagauri: Green.

Pratipada (October 15, 2023): Orange

On the first day, people worship Goddess Shailputri to seek wealth and fulfill their wishes. Wearing orange on this day is believed to bring luck and blessings.

Dwitiya (October 16, 2023): White

The second day is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini, associated with wisdom and understanding. White, symbolizing purity and enlightenment, is her preferred color.

Tritiya (October 17, 2023): Red

On the third day, devotees honor Goddess Chandraghanta, known for grace and valor. Red represents power and protection, offering positivity, strength, and courage.

Chaturthi (Oct. 18, 2023): Blue (royal blue)

The fourth day celebrates Goddess Kushmanda, revered for her darkness-eliminating strength. Royal blue signifies power and wealth, invoking her blessings for health and fortune.

Panchami (October 19, 2023): Yellow

Day five is dedicated to worshipping Skandamata for happiness, peace, and wealth. Yellow, her favorite color, is believed to bring joy and abundance to homes.

Sashti (October 20, 2023): Green

Goddess Katyayani, honored on the sixth day, symbolizes peace. Her preferred color is natural green, representing balance and progress and bringing harmony into life.

Saptami (October 21, 2023): Grey

The seventh day celebrates Kalaratri, the fierce aspect of Durga. Grey symbolizes strength and resilience, signifying the victory of knowledge over ignorance.

Ashtami (October 22, 2023): Purple

Day eight is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, who grants tranquility and endurance to her followers. Her favorite color, purple, symbolizes purity, peace, and divinity.

Navami (October 23, 2023): Peacock Green

On the ninth day, people honor Goddess Siddhidatri, the guardian of spiritual power. She is revered for success and wealth, with her preferred color, peacock green, symbolizing knowledge, wisdom, and the end of ignorance.

Nine days and nine colors of Navratri 2023 are dedicated to celebrating this auspicious festival, with each day also representing one of the nine different forms, or "roop,” of Goddess Durga. In addition to these, there are two more Navratris called Gupt Navratri observed in the months of Magha and Ashadha. Shardiya Navaratri in 2023 will start on October 15, 2023, and conclude on October 24, 2023. It begins on Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina and ends on Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the same month.

9 Colors of Navratri 2023 with Date

This year’s nine-day Navratri festival commences on October 15 and wraps up on October 24. Each day of Navratri is associated with a unique color, symbolizing a specific aspect of Goddess Durga. These colors hold deep importance for devotees, as they represent different manifestations of Goddess Durga.