Every year, Navratri transforms India into a festival of lights, colors, music, and food. But have you ever wondered why is Navratri celebrated? Simply put, it’s a celebration of the divine feminine, the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
In Shardiya Navratri 2025, which begins on 22 September and ends on 2 October with Vijayadashami, homes and streets across India will burst into life. And this year, as devotees dress according to the Navratri colours 2025, each day will carry a special energy and significance.
But Navratri is not just about rituals, it’s a living, breathing festival where every region adds its own flavor. Let’s take a journey across India.
Gujarat – Garba Nights and Sweet Treats
If you arrive in Gujarat during Navratri, you’ll find streets turned into open dance floors. Women twirl in shimmering chaniya cholis, men strike dandiya sticks, and the beats of Garba echo through the night.
No Garba night is complete without food! Crispy fafda, syrupy jalebi, and fasting-friendly singhare ke pakode keep dancers energized. The combination of rhythm, devotion, and flavors makes Gujarat’s Navratri unforgettable.
West Bengal – Durga Puja and the Art of Celebration
Kolkata during Navratri is like stepping into a living art gallery. Pandals soar skyward, and artisans in Kumartuli mold clay into the majestic forms of Durga.
The final days bring the playful sindoor khela, where women smear each other with vermillion in celebration. Food here is divine: steaming khichuri bhog, rich labra, sweet Sandesh, and creamy Mishti Doi. Navratri in Bengal is a perfect blend of art, devotion, and indulgence.
Maharashtra – Ghatsthapana and Soulful Flavors
In Maharashtra, Navratri starts with Ghatsthapana, where families set up sacred kalash at home. Evenings are filled with aarti, bhajans, and visits to local pandals.
The fasting menu is comforting: sabudana khichdi, batata sabudana vada (vrat version), Bhagar and saffron-rich Shrikhand. It’s a quieter celebration, but deeply rooted in devotion and family traditions.
South India – Golu Dolls and Community Spirit
In the South, Navratri transforms into the charming Golu festival, where homes display dolls arranged on steps. Women invite friends for haldi-kumkum, share stories, and bond over simple yet delicious food.
The highlight? Protein-rich Sundal and sweet Payasam, served with love. South Indian Navratri is a festival of togetherness, storytelling, and cultural pride.
Northern India – Ram Lila and the Triumph of Good
Up North, Navratri takes on a dramatic flair. Ram Lila performances bring the Ramayana to life, and on Vijayadashami, towering effigies of Ravana light up the sky, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
The fasting plates are simple yet festive: kuttu puris, aloo sabzi, and fresh fruit platters. Here, devotion and celebration merge with theatricality, making Navratri a festival for all senses.
Navratri Colours 2025 – A Day-by-Day Celebration
Each day of Navratri 2025 has its own goddess and color, creating a beautiful rhythm of celebration:
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- Day 1 (22 Sept) – Maa Shailputri – White
- Day 1 (22 Sept) – Maa Shailputri – White
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- Day 2 (23 Sept) – Maa Brahmacharini – Red
- Day 2 (23 Sept) – Maa Brahmacharini – Red
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- Day 3 (24 Sept) – Maa Chandraghanta – Royal Blue
- Day 3 (24 Sept) – Maa Chandraghanta – Royal Blue
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- Day 4 (25 Sept) – Maa Kushmanda – Yellow
- Day 4 (25 Sept) – Maa Kushmanda – Yellow
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- Day 5 (26 Sept) –Maa Skandamata – Green
- Day 5 (26 Sept) –Maa Skandamata – Green
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- Day 6 (27 Sept) –Maa Katyayani – Grey
- Day 6 (27 Sept) –Maa Katyayani – Grey
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- Day 7 (28 Sept) – Maa Kalaratri – Orange
- Day 7 (28 Sept) – Maa Kalaratri – Orange
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- Day 8 (29 Sept) – Maa Mahagauri – Peacock Green
- Day 8 (29 Sept) – Maa Mahagauri – Peacock Green
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- Day 9 (30 Sept) – Maa Siddhidatri – Pink
- Day 9 (30 Sept) – Maa Siddhidatri – Pink
Navratri Colours on Your Plate
Try wearing these colors or incorporating them in your home décor and food to feel connected to the energy of each day!
So, why is Navratri celebrated? To honor the Goddess, to rejoice in her many forms, and to remind ourselves that good always triumphs over evil.
And in Navratri 2025, as we dress in the day’s color – be it royal blue, yellow, or peacock green, why not also cook a dish inspired by each region? Gujarat’s fafda-jalebi, Bengal’s khichuri, Maharashtra’s sabudana khichdi, South India’s sundal, or North India’s kuttu puri.
Because Navratri isn’t just about devotion, it’s about living, dancing, eating, and celebrating India’s vibrant unity in diversity.