Navaratri in South India: A Timeless Celebration of Shakti

Navaratri is a vibrant nine night festival in South India, where the divine feminine Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati is honored in her three powerful forms. Here's how it's celebrated, what each day signifies, and why it’s cherished across households from Sept 22 – Oct 2, 2025                                                                                                                    

The Three Goddesses & Daily Forms

In many South Indian homes, Navaratri unfolds in three parts three days each dedicated to Durga, then Lakshmi, followed by Saraswati each aspect celebrated through day specific forms (Navadurga):

• Days 1–3: Goddess Durga’s Forms

  • Day 1 – Shailaputri  The Daughter of the Mountain, Symbolizes strength and discipline.

  • Day 2 – Brahmacharini: Embodies penance and spiritual dedication.

  • Day 3 – Chandraghanta: Represents courage and bravery.

• Days 4–6: Goddess Lakshmi’s Forms

  • Day 4 – Kushmanda: Source of cosmic energy and creative light.

  • Day 5 – Skandamata: Motherly power; nurturance which depicts nurturing of Lord Skanda

  • Day 6 – Katyayani: Warrior aspect; symbolizes fierce protection and valor.

• Days 7–9: Goddess Saraswati’s Forms

  • Day 7 – Kalaratri: Fierce protector, removes darkness and fear. 

  • Day 8 – Mahagauri: Purity and beauty; bestower of peace and fulfillment 

  • Day 9 – Siddhidatri: Grants spiritual powers and blessings; culmination of divine grace.

Speciality: The festival beautifully progresses from strength (Durga) to prosperity (Lakshmi) and ends with wisdom.

How to perform the Navaratri Pooja

• Set up the Kalasam: On Mahalaya Amavasya, clean the puja space and place a kalasam (brass/silver pot) filled with rice and coins, decorated with mango leaves and a coconut on top, this symbolizes the Goddess’s presence. 

• Daily rituals: Offer naivedyam (prasadam), light five flame lamp (deepam) morning and evening and chant mantras dedicated to that day's goddess form.

• Kanya Puja on Ashtami (Day 8) and Navami (Day 9): Young girls representing the divine are worshipped with akshat (rice), prasadam, new clothes as blessings of feminine energy. 

• Ayudha Puja: Alternately, tools, books and instruments placed on Day 9 are worshipped to honor knowledge and livelihood. 
  
  

The Living tradition of Golu: symbolism across every step

In South India’s Navaratri celebrations, the Golu display a set of odd numbered steps (3, 5, 7, 9, or even 11) is more than decorative; it’s a spiritual and cultural narrative told through dolls. It’s also customary for families to keep these idols in steps.

What to Display on Each Step (Taking a 9 Step Setup as a Guide)

1. Top Step: A Kalash (sacred pot) with mango leaves and a coconut, representing the divine presence, often flanked by idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Marapachi Bommai (traditional wooden bridal dolls).

2. Middle upper steps: Mythological scenes like Ramayana or Dashavatara episodes or spiritual icons and saints, embodying devotion, wisdom and cosmic stories.

3. Middle lower steps: Everyday human life markets, weddings, artisans at work celebrating community, culture and social life.

4. Bottom steps: Nature and life farmers, animals, rural scenes, representing the foundational harmony between earth, its creatures, and human endeavor.This arrangement is symbolic of a journey, from the earth to the divine, reflecting spiritual ascent and life’s interconnected tapestry.

Why families add a new doll every year

Each year, introducing a new doll to the Golu signifies personal and spiritual growth, evolving devotion, and a fresh chapter in the family’s celebration

Saraswati Pooja — Education & new journeys begin

On the final day (particularly Day 8), Saraswati Puja honors knowledge and arts books, pens, musical instruments, and tools are respectfully placed and worshipped.

Everyone regardless of age or purpose, participates in seeking blessings for:

• Education

• New Jobs

• Learning skills or arts

• Creative projects and spiritual pursuits

The ritual marks auspicious beginnings common for children to start reading, students to begin exams, artisans to resume work, all receiving the goddess’s grace. Any art form started on this day is believed to receive the blessings of Saraswathi devi.

It is not just about rituals, it is about renewal and harmony. From invoking Durga’s strength, Lakshmi’s prosperity and Saraswati’s wisdom, to arranging the colorful steps of Golu and honoring tools of knowledge, every act carries deep meaning.

It is a time when families come together, communities bond and traditions are passed down with devotion. Whether you seek success in studies, growth in career or peace at home, Navaratri offers a sacred space to begin anew.

Celebrate the spirit of Durga Puja with divine decor. Discover idols, thalis, diyas and pooja essentials at www.pujalane.com.