When we close our eyes and remember the popular avatar of Durga as Mahishasurmardini, our eyes see her motherly aura, taking a warrior form to protect her children from the wrath of the miscreants. This avatar is always richly covered in a golden allure and at JDS, we cannot think of any other attire but a bright red banarasi with a lot of golden work. But the popular trend is to worship the Mother in nine of her many avatars. This gave us a thought. How about we celebrating the Nine Devis in Nine Banarasis! Would it not be a truly magical experience! Come let us revere each Devi in a befitting shade and saree, where nine Banarasi sarees will help all the Navratri worshippers with ideas for now and forever.
Banarasi Sarees and the Nine Devis
If you are wondering why only Banarasi sarees, then we have the answer. The traditional heritage of the handloom and handwoven fabric has a very nurturing process in the entire weaving process. Also, being a natural fabric, banarasi saree make for a wonderful and comfortable attire for the Devi and her earthly mirror images in the women of our society. The other reason is that the metallic threadwork work adds a very regal charm, thus adding to the befitting of the banarasi saree for the nine devis and the pious nine days.
Ma Shailputri in an Ivory banarasi saree
She is a mother and also a pious, pristine daughter of King Himavan and Queen Prasuti. Leading by the purity of her thoughts and actions and an unbreakable determination, she is an ideal daughter. She is soft and her pristine allure demands a beautiful ivory banarasi handloom silk saree. Since this is the first day of Navratri, JDS would advise to look for an offbeat choice. Such as an off-white brocade katan, this would be a refreshing nod to her status as a royal princess, finding her divinity with determination and devotion.
Ma Brahmacharini in a yellow banarasi saree
Her name is self-explanatory. The epitome of benevolence and purity, she exuberates an austere auspicious charm about her. This form, among the Nine Devis, shows that self-control, discipline, and meditative processes can help us maintain peace in an overwhelmingly competitive world. Of the Nine Devis, she is the epitome of learning and since we attach the values of education to Ma Saraswati, why not pay a homage to both the devis together in a soft yellow organza banarasi and let the weight of wisdom be the only weight for you to manage.
Ma Chandraghanta and a red blazing banarasi saree
She is the closest resemblance to the lion riding Sherawali devi the Northern Indian states worship. A warrior pose, yet a smiling face and this contradictory existence imparts a subtle knowledge that most struggles can be borne with a smile. She deserves being draped in a blazing red, and so should you worship her wearing a bright red banarasi handloom saree. Chose for a vintage shikargarh weave in red with a saree opulent in all its metallic threadwork glamour and you should look like Ma Chandraghanta’s disciple and in a red vintage banarasi handloom saree.
Ma Kushmanda and a wine shade banarasi saree
Seated on a beast, Ma Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day. You, like her soft subtle smile that creates and nurtures the universe. It is time to worship this ashtabhuja or eight-handed goddess and for that you can go for a deeper shade, mirroring the dark space, but still reflecting the red of the nurturing blood. The shade we advise is wine. Wear a wine paithani banarasi saree and see the magic of devotion come alive.
Ma Skandamata in a beautiful shade of green banarasi saree
Green is the colour of nature and nurture. As the mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, She is the protector of her sons and daughters on this earth. Seek Her protection on the fifth day and adorn yourself in a green banarasi saree so that you look like Her true disciple. You can choose from a dark forest green banarasi silk saree to a softer green of a new green leaf. Choice is yours, but if you want something flowy yet full of patterns, we suggest either go for a rangkat or a tanchoi weave.
Ma Katyayani in a pretty pink banarasi saree
Of the Nine Devis, Ma Katyayani is known to present all the four boons of dharm, arth, kaam and moksha, and rid her devotees of fear and illnesses. She is a benevolent motherly incarnation and we can only bow down to her for wish fulfilments. Her charm should reflect in you, her softness should be you armour, hence, we suggest a prettu pink bandhej banarasi handloom saree. The opink can come with contrasting borders or filled with zari work, but the essence of the nurturing shade needs to remain.
Ma Kalratri in a dark blue banarasi saree
Dark as the fears we face, She rids us of the fears and the causes of the fears. Ma Kalratri is also the seventh Shakti of Ma Durga and opens the doors to all the fulfilments and joys. This divine power needs to be soaked and darker shades always help in soaking energies better. Black is not a devotional colour in our spiritual practices, hence we suggest a dark blue katan silk banarasi handloom saree for the devotees.
Ma Mahagauri in a red-white banarasi saree
Mahagauri is her fairest form of the Divine Mother. Worshipped on the eighth day, she is seated on a bull, Ma Mahagauri is known to ride the darkness from the hearts of devotees. Worship her on the eighth day of the holy festival and wear a red border and white body katan banarasi saree. Go for a pure white body to reflect the pure milky complexion of the Divine Goddess who did severe meditation to achieve her desired husband, Lord Shiv himself. Go for zari boota work and golden threadwork on the red borders and pallu.
Siddhidatri in an orange banarasi saree
Reflects in her name, Ma Siddhidatri blesses her devotees and gives them whatever they desire for with pure devotion. Orange, a color of the life creating color of nature is the befitting choice for the ninth and the final day of Navratri. You would definitely like to go out and visit some Durga Puja pandals and for this you need a lighter saree, so opt for a handloom chanderi banarasi silk saree with smaller buta work and soft metallic hues in the border. The orange in banarasi chanderi is very soothing shade and you will love it when you wear it.
Final Address:
The Nine Devis are worshipped twice in the year, in Chaitra and Sharad. This guidebook to dress in nine banarasi sarees for Navratri to worship the divine Nine Devis for nine consecutive days is applicable for not only the two Navaratris but for every time you wish to worship and emulate the powers of the Divine Mother in yourself. JDS Banaras worships every feminine as the embodiment of Ma Durga, and thus wishes to help each powerhouse dress herself and shine forth.
Sacred Weaves
If JDS Banaras is an age old name that continues to serve every customer with authentic banarasi sarees, Sacred Weaves is still young yet is a powerhouse entity that has a curated selection of handloom banarasis. The best part is that it is serving the ladies seated across the world with a unique facility of a guided online shopping experience. Sacred Weaves has already served many beautiful ladies find their perfect banarasis and pledges to help many more.