Navratri 2016 Day 2: Importance And Auspicious Date, Time And Colour Of The Day

Day 2 of Navratri is meant to denote the pinnacle of devotion. This is one of the important days of the festival and is also known as day for Chandradarshan. The day begins with worshipping goddess Durga, offering puja and reading second chapter of Saptashathi.

Tithi: Pratipada

Date: 2nd October (Sunday)

Beginning Time (Muhurat): 7:45AM on 2nd October (Sunday)

End Time: 10:05 AM on 3rd October (Monday)

Colour of the Day: Orange

Goddess: Maa Brahmacharini

2nd day of Navratri is devoted to Maa Brahmacharini. She is the second form of Goddess Durga. It is believed in our Hindu mythology that Maa Brahmacharini had to take various births one after the other to make Lord Shiva as her beloved husband. Tapashcharini, Aparna, and Uma are some of the other names of Maa Brahmcharini.
Maa Brahmnacharini symbolizes knowledge, meditation, spirituality and devotee can attain fast peace and prosperity if they observe fast. Goddess Bhrahmnacharini is depicted in the form of Sanyasini and carries rosary in her right hand and water in a utensil in her left hand. The unknown fact about her is that she is adorned with a Rudraksha.

Colour of the Day
Maa Brahmacharini appears in white saree. White colour signifies purity and peace and so, is goddess Brahmacharini. But the auspicious colour for the second day of Navratri is Orange. It’s the colour for people and the devotees. Temples are decorated with orange colour and is themed orange. Devotees and Maa Durga believers are also seen dressed orange this day. The colour signifies heat, enthusiasm and determination which is signified by Maa Brahmacharini’s dedication, determination and tapasya (austerity) to get Lord Shiva as her husband.

Foods for Navratri
During Navratri nine-day festival, foods have its own significance as many people during these nine days observe fast. Although, many people believe to observe fast on 1st and the last day of Navratri but foods they eat during fast is different from daily diet. To choose what to eat and what not eat is quite tricky.

The menu for day 2 starts with some warm honey and lemonade and fresh fruits. Sama ke chawal, sabudane ki kheer or khichdi, kuttke ke parathe all cooked in peanut oil and using sendha namak (rock salt).
Various restaurants go pure veg during this season. They serve veg-thali in which they serve kuttu ki poori, aloo sabzi, sama ke chawal, chutney, pakode and others. The menu differs from restaurant to restaurant.

Mantra for 2nd Day of Navratri

दधाना कर पद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥

Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu।
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama॥