During Navratri the nine forms of Navadurga are worshipped in order. The sequence comes from the well-known Devi Kavacham verse that begins “Prathamam Shailaputriti dvitiyam Brahmacharini.” The dhyana verses and bhog below are traditional; bhog varies by region.
Day 1
Sunday, 11 October
Maa Shailputri
Ashwin Shukla Pratipada
Daughter of Himalaya, the king of mountains. Seated on a bull, holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left. Navratri begins with her worship and Ghatasthapana.
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
Vande vanchhita-labhaya chandrardha-krita-shekharam / Vrisharudham shuladharam Shailaputrim yashasvinim
Traditional bhog: pure cow's ghee
Day 2
Monday, 12 October
Maa Brahmacharini
Ashwin Shukla Dwitiya
The goddess of austerity and self-restraint, holding a rosary in her right hand and a kamandalu (water pot) in her left. She represents the severe penance undertaken to win Lord Shiva as her husband.
दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Dadhana karapadmabhyam akshamala-kamandalu / Devi prasidatu mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama
Traditional bhog: sugar or mishri (rock sugar)
Day 3
Tuesday, 13 October
Maa Chandraghanta
Ashwin Shukla Tritiya
Wears a bell-shaped half-moon on her forehead. Rides a lion and has ten arms. The goddess who removes fear and distress and brings peace of mind.
पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Pindaja-pravararudha chanda-kopastrakairyuta / Prasadam tanute mahyam Chandraghanteti vishruta
Traditional bhog: milk and kheer (rice pudding)
Day 4
Wednesday, 14 October
Maa Kushmanda
Ashwin Shukla Chaturthi
Believed to have created the universe with her gentle smile. Eight-armed and riding a lion; her radiance is said to light up every direction.
सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Surasampurna-kalasham rudhiraplutameva cha / Dadhana hasta-padmabhyam Kushmanda shubhadastu me
Traditional bhog: malpua
Day 5
Thursday, 15 October
Maa Skandamata
Ashwin Shukla Panchami
Mother of Kartikeya (Skanda). Seated on a lotus with the infant Skanda in her lap; her mount is the lion. A form of motherhood and tenderness.
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Simhasana-gata nityam padmashrita-karadvaya / Shubhadastu sada devi Skandamata yashasvini
Traditional bhog: banana
Day 6
Friday, 16 October
Maa Katyayani
Ashwin Shukla Shashthi
Born as the daughter of the sage Katyayana. The form who slew Mahishasura; her mount is the lion. The tradition also describes the gopis of Braj worshipping her.
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद्देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahasojjvala-kara shardula-vara-vahana / Katyayani shubham dadyad devi danava-ghatini
Traditional bhog: honey
Day 7
Saturday, 17 October
Maa Kalaratri
Ashwin Shukla Saptami
A fierce yet ever-auspicious form that destroys darkness and fear. Her mount is the donkey. This year Saptami touches two sunrises, on both 17 and 18 October.
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी॥
Ekaveni japakarnapura nagna kharasthita / Lamboshthi karnikakarni tailabhyakta-sharirini
Traditional bhog: jaggery
Day 8
Sunday, 18 October
Maa Mahagauri
Ashwin Shukla Ashtami
Fair-complexioned and riding a bull; a form of purity and peace. Many households perform kanya pujan on Mahashtami. (Panchangs give the Ashtami date as 18 or 19 October; see the note above.)
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥
Shvete vrishe samarudha shvetambaradhara shuchih / Mahagauri shubham dadyan mahadeva-pramodada
Traditional bhog: coconut
Day 9
Monday, 19 October
Maa Siddhidatri
Ashwin Shukla Navami
The bestower of all siddhis, seated on a lotus. Havan and kanya bhoj are traditional on Navami. This is the last day of Navratri.
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥
Siddha-gandharva-yakshadyair asurair amarair api / Sevyamana sada bhuyat siddhida siddhidayini
Traditional bhog: sesame seeds, and halwa-puri-chana
Dashami
Tuesday, 20 October
Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
The close of Navratri. The nine-day fast is broken (parana), and the Aparahna period of Dashami is considered the time for Vijaya puja. In Prayagraj, Dashami begins at 12:52 PM.
