9 Days to Dispel Your Inner Demons This Navratri

Once upon a time in Satyayug, the era of truth, gods, and demons belonged on different planets. In Tretayug, the gods and demons were separated by countries. When Krishna incarnated, during Dwaparyug, the gods and demons were in the same family. In this current age of Kaliyug, divinity and demonic qualities are within the same person. Navratri is that time of the year when our inner demons come out more powerful, but the air is filled with the shakti of divine energy. Tap into these strong vibrations; resolve yourself to bring out the inner shakti in you. Devi Durga incarnated to slay the demon Mahishasura. It is time to remove the Mahishasura within us all. Each day is associated with a certain goddess and rituals of each goddess.   Day 1: Devi Shailaputri The first day is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri or Daughter of the Peak. Our consciousness is realized at the peak or the Crown Chakra, in the same way, Devi is at the peak or seat of consciousness. Children operate at this peak. Whatever they do, they give their 100%. The color to be adorned on this day is Orange. Hibiscus is Devi Shailaputri’s flower of choice. She is the bestower of all fortunes.   Day 2: Devi Brahmacharini The 2^nd day is celebrated by worshipping Devi Brahmacharini. The essence of brahmacharya is not being limited to one but encompassing the whole. In this form, She meditates in penance to marry her better half, Lord Shiva. Wearing white clothes will help you tap into this form of Shakti. Offering Chrysanthamem flowers with faith on this day is believed to remove your life’s hurdles.   Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta Chandra or the moon is the controller of our emotions. The moon facilitates the ups and downs, like the tides of the ocean. On day 3, we worship Devi Chandraghanta, the married form of Devi Parvati. The word Ghanta means bell, an object that sounds the same no matter how it is rung. Devi Chandraghanta gives her devotees unflinching strength to tackle the highs and troughs of life. She is adorned in the color red and loves the lotus flower. Adorn yourself with a beautiful Red Handloom Linen Saree from Arteastri and bring the essence of this form of Adi Shakti into your life.   Day 4: Devi Kushmanda Kushmanda Mata is the presiding form of Durga on day 4 of Navratri. She is the creative power of existence; from her arises the universal energy we all need to survive. She is the prana or life breath in us all. On this day, Kushmanda Devi manifests herself in the form of health, wealth, and impossible amounts of energy in the lives of her devotees. Decorate yourself in royal blue and Jasmine flowers on this auspicious day.   Day 5: Devi Skandamata Devi Skandamata, or the Mother of Wisdom, is revered on day 5 as the mother of Lord Kartikeya, who is the embodiment of the power of desire, wisdom, and action. Is there any use of action without knowledge or knowledge without the passion and inclination to act? This Devi, in her maternal aspect, helps transform energy with will and ability into divine action. The color of day 5 is yellow, and the adorning flower is a yellow rose. Dress yourself up in a beautiful yellow ensemble and chic boho jewelry from WildLillies.   Day 6: Devi Katyayani The form of the Divine Mother that arose from the anger of righteousness is Devi Katyayani, the Devi of the 6^th day. She is the destructive energy behind tsunamis and earthquakes, to bring us back onto the path of Dharma. It is rightly said that a wise person’s anger heralds the greater good. Dress up in the color green and offer Marigold flowers on this day.   Day 7: Devi Kaalaratri Kaalaratri is the deity of this day. She is the fiercest and most frightening form, but still a mother to her devotees. She, dare I say, is the most benevolent form, as she awards her worshippers with dispassion (Vairagya) and enlightenment, freeing us from the chains of Maya. The color of this day is Grey, with the Krishna Kamal at Her Lotus feet.   Day 8: Maa Maha Gauri The Mother of all mothers is Maha Gauri. She is worshipped this day as the Divine Mother of one and all. She is resplendent, beautiful, and generous beyond imagination. As a mother, she accepts her children’s faults and only highlights their goodness. Her worship brings ultimate joy and peace. Find yourself purple saree or scarf, and adorn Devi Gauri with sweet and fragrant Mogra flowers.   Day 9: Maa-Siddhidatri Devi Siddhidatri/ Devi Lakshmi is the mother of extraordinary capabilities is the epitome of ultimate perfection in all spheres. Siddhi is the creative ability that allows oneness in dominion over speech, thought, and action. Whatever a Siddha/ Siddhi says, thinks, and dreams can manifest into reality. Maha Navami has the strength of all the 9 days and a devotee is granted ultimate happiness, prosperity, and salvation. Peacock green is the color. Offer the Champak flower as a symbol of devotion to the Mother.   Navratri is a 9-day extravaganza for the soul’s upliftment. Apart from the external fan-fare, this is the time for meditation, where the environment supports even a non-practitioner. So, if you haven’t gotten to meditation yet, this is the perfect time to meditate and dispel your inner demons. For more such updates, follow us on Facebook and  Instagram. Download our magazine Spunky Indian for exclusive stories.