Navratri Gemstones: The Gemstone for Each Day and the Auspicious Times to Wear It
Navratri means nine nights, and each night is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, the Navadurga. Vedic astrology has its own nine: the Navaratna, one gemstone for each of the nine planets. Navratri brings the two together, pairing each day's goddess with a gemstone.
This guide, from the House of Shubh Gems, with over 25 years in natural gemstones, walks through Navratri day by day. It covers each goddess and her gemstone, and the most auspicious times to begin wearing yours.
Navratri at a Glance
Navratri comes twice a year, and both festivals honour the same nine forms of Durga. Sharad Navratri falls in Ashwin, usually in September or October, and closes with Dussehra. Chaitra Navratri falls in spring and ends with Ram Navami.
Key moments of Navratri
- Ghatasthapana: the kalash is set on the first morning, Pratipada, in the early part of the day or in the Abhijit muhurat around noon.
- Durga Ashtami: the eighth day, honouring Mahagauri. Many homes perform Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami.
- Sandhi Puja: the 48 minutes where Ashtami ends and Navami begins, regarded as the most sacred span of the festival.
- Maha Navami: the ninth day, honouring Siddhidatri.
- Vijayadashami (Dussehra): the tenth day, which closes Sharad Navratri.
The nine days and their gemstones
- Day 1, Maa Shailputri: Ruby (Manik), the gemstone of the Sun
- Day 2, Maa Brahmacharini: Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj), the gemstone of Jupiter
- Day 3, Maa Chandraghanta: Hessonite Garnet (Gomed), the gemstone of Rahu
- Day 4, Maa Kushmanda: White Sapphire (Safed Pukhraj) or Diamond, the gemstones of Venus
- Day 5, Maa Skandamata: Red Coral (Moonga), the gemstone of Mars
- Day 6, Maa Katyayani: Emerald (Panna), the gemstone of Mercury
- Day 7, Maa Kalaratri: Blue Sapphire (Neelam), the gemstone of Saturn
- Day 8, Maa Mahagauri: Pearl (Moti), the gemstone of the Moon
- Day 9, Maa Siddhidatri: Cat's Eye (Lehsunia), the gemstone of Ketu
Navratri follows the lunar tithis, so its dates and muhurat timings change every year and shift with your city's sunrise. Check your local panchang for each year's times.
Why Navratri Is an Auspicious Time for Gemstones
Navratri falls entirely in Shukla Paksha, the waxing fortnight, which tradition prefers for beginning to wear a gemstone. Three things make it a natural time to start:
- The waxing Moon. The nine nights run from Shukla Pratipada to Navami, in the bright half of the month.
- Nine and nine. Its nine nights honour the nine forms of Durga, and the Navaratna holds one gemstone for each of the nine planets.
- Every weekday falls inside it. Navratri always spans at least a week, so each gemstone's traditional day to begin falls within the festival.
Both Navratris also touch a Sade Teen Muhurat, the three and a half days of the year that are auspicious throughout. Chaitra Navratri begins on one, Gudi Padwa (Ugadi), and Sharad Navratri closes on another, Vijayadashami.
The Nine Days of Navratri and Their Gemstones
Each day honours one form of Durga. In the pairing we follow at the House of Shubh Gems, each form has an associated gemstone, and each gemstone belongs to one of the nine planets.
Day 1: Maa Shailputri and Ruby (Manik)
Shailputri, the daughter of the mountain king Himalaya, opens Navratri. She rides a bull and holds a trident, with a crescent moon on her forehead.
Her gemstone is Ruby (Manik), the gemstone of the Sun. It is traditionally associated with vitality, confidence and fresh starts, a fitting beginning.
Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini and Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj)
Brahmacharini is the goddess in penance, who performed long austerities to win Shiva as her consort. She walks barefoot, holding a japa mala and a kamandalu.
Her gemstone is Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj), the gemstone of Jupiter, the planet of the guru. It is traditionally linked with wisdom, knowledge and discipline.
Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta and Hessonite Garnet (Gomed)
Chandraghanta wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead and rides a tigress. She has ten arms and is armed for battle, and the sound of her bell is said to drive evil away.
Her gemstone is Hessonite Garnet (Gomed), the gemstone of Rahu. It is traditionally worn for courage, protection and relief from sudden setbacks. As a shadow-planet gemstone, it should be worn only on an astrologer's advice.
Day 4: Maa Kushmanda and White Sapphire or Diamond
Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe with her smile. She has eight arms and is said to dwell at the core of the Sun.
Her gemstone is White Sapphire (Safed Pukhraj) or Diamond, the gemstones of Venus. They are traditionally associated with creativity, purity and harmony.
Day 5: Maa Skandamata and Red Coral (Moonga)
Skandamata is the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), commander of the army of the gods. She rides a lion and holds the infant Skanda on her lap.
Her gemstone is Red Coral (Moonga), the gemstone of Mars. In this pairing it stands for affection, steady relationships and drive.
Day 6: Maa Katyayani and Emerald (Panna)
Katyayani, born to the sage Katyayana, is the warrior form who slew the demon Mahishasura. She rides a lion, and tradition holds that the gopis of Vrindavan worshipped her to win Krishna.
Her gemstone is Emerald (Panna), the gemstone of Mercury. It is traditionally linked with intellect, balance and steady growth.
Day 7: Maa Kalaratri and Blue Sapphire (Neelam)
Kalaratri is the fiercest form of Durga, dark as the night and riding a donkey. Despite her fearsome form she is also called Shubhankari, the one who brings auspicious results.
Her gemstone is Blue Sapphire (Neelam), the gemstone of Saturn. It is traditionally linked with fearlessness, protection and discipline. Neelam is considered fast-acting, so have your chart checked first.
Day 8: Maa Mahagauri and Pearl (Moti)
Mahagauri is radiant and fair, dressed in white and riding a white bull. She is worshipped on Durga Ashtami, when many homes perform Kanya Pujan, honouring young girls as forms of the goddess.
Her gemstone is Pearl (Moti), the gemstone of the Moon. It is traditionally linked with serenity, a calm mind and emotional peace.
Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri and Cat's Eye (Lehsunia)
Siddhidatri, the giver of siddhis or spiritual accomplishments, completes Navratri on Maha Navami. She is seated on a lotus, and by tradition Shiva became Ardhanarishvara through her grace.
Her gemstone is Cat's Eye (Lehsunia), the gemstone of Ketu. It is traditionally linked with protection, intuition and overcoming final hurdles. Like Gomed, it should be worn only on an astrologer's advice.
Vijayadashami (Dussehra): The Day of Victory
Sharad Navratri closes on Vijayadashami, the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin. The day marks two victories: Durga's over the demon Mahishasura, and Rama's over Ravana.
Vijayadashami is one of the Sade Teen Muhurat, auspicious throughout the day. No separate muhurat needs to be sought, which is why many families begin new ventures, purchases and ceremonies on Dussehra.
- Vijaya Muhurat: a short window of about 45 minutes in the afternoon, the traditional time for beginning anything meant to succeed.
- Aparahna: the wider afternoon period used for the Shami and Aparajita puja. Dussehra is kept on the day Dashami holds through this period.
- Your gemstone's weekday: when Dussehra falls on it, the day makes an especially auspicious start.
Both windows depend on your city's sunrise and sunset, so take each year's times from your local panchang.
The Best Day to Begin Wearing Each Gemstone
The day's gemstone honours that day's goddess, but tradition begins wearing a gemstone on its planet's own weekday. Navratri always spans at least a week, so every gemstone's day falls within the festival.
- Ruby (Manik), Sun: Sunday. Mantra: Om Suryaya Namah.
- Pearl (Moti), Moon: Monday. Mantra: Om Chandraya Namah.
- Red Coral (Moonga), Mars: Tuesday. Mantra: Om Angarakaya Namah.
- Emerald (Panna), Mercury: Wednesday. Mantra: Om Budhaya Namah.
- Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj), Jupiter: Thursday. Mantra: Om Gurave Namah.
- White Sapphire or Diamond, Venus: Friday. Mantra: Om Shukraya Namah.
- Blue Sapphire (Neelam), Saturn: Saturday. Mantra: Om Shanaye Namah.
- Hessonite (Gomed), Rahu: Saturday. Mantra: Om Rahave Namah.
- Cat's Eye (Lehsunia), Ketu: Tuesday, or as your astrologer advises. Mantra: Om Ketave Namah.
Chant the mantra 108 times before wearing the gemstone for the first time.
Timing tips
- Begin in the morning. The first hour after sunrise belongs to the day's ruling planet, so it is the traditional time to start.
- Avoid Rahu Kaal. Your local panchang lists it for each day.
- Missed Navratri? Any later Shukla Paksha on your gemstone's weekday also works; Navratri is simply an especially auspicious one.
How to Begin Wearing Your Gemstone This Navratri
The festival sets the time, but your birth chart decides the gemstone. Six steps take you from choosing to wearing:
- Have your chart checked. The right gemstone depends on your full Kundli, not on the day of Navratri. Start with our free Gemstone Recommendation by date of birth.
- Choose natural and certified. Insist on an independent report from IGI, IIGJ or GIA stating the gemstone is natural and whether it is treated. Our Gemstone Buying Guide covers colour, clarity, origin and what else to check.
- Choose the right weight. Your astrologer will advise the weight in ratti; 1 ratti equals 0.91 carat.
- Use an open-back setting. The gemstone should touch your skin, as astrological wear requires. Our Customised Jewellery service sets it in a ring or pendant of gold, silver or panchdhatu, and our Ring Size Guide helps you find your size.
- Energise it. Cleanse the gemstone with Gangajal or raw milk, light a diya and incense, and chant its planet's mantra 108 times. Every gemstone from Only Natural Gemstones is energised before dispatch, at no extra cost.
- Begin at the right time. Wear it first on its planet's weekday, in the morning, during Navratri's waxing fortnight, or in the Vijaya Muhurat on Dussehra.
Why Only Natural, Unheated and Untreated Gemstones
Most gemstones sold today are heated, filled or dyed to improve their colour. Vedic tradition holds that a gemstone carries its planet's energy through its natural crystal, so a treated gemstone is not the remedy Ratna Shastra prescribes.
Every gemstone at Only Natural Gemstones is unheated and untreated, with an independent report from IGI, IIGJ or GIA.
Every purchase is also backed by our lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.
Why Navratri Gemstone Lists Differ
You may come across other day-by-day lists online. No classical text assigns a gemstone to each day of Navratri, so pairings vary between traditions and families.
What does not vary is each gemstone's planet: Ruby for the Sun, Pearl for the Moon and so on through the Navaratna. The pairing in this guide is the one we follow at the House of Shubh Gems. It honours each day's goddess, while the gemstone you wear should always come from your birth chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Navratri celebrated?
Navratri comes twice a year. Sharad Navratri falls in Ashwin, usually in September or October, and closes with Dussehra. Chaitra Navratri falls in spring and ends with Ram Navami; your local panchang gives each year's dates.
Which gemstone is associated with each day of Navratri?
In the pairing we follow, from Day 1 to Day 9: Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Hessonite, White Sapphire or Diamond, Red Coral, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Pearl and Cat's Eye.
Do I need to wear the gemstone of each day?
No. The day's gemstone honours that day's goddess. Which gemstone you should actually wear depends on your birth chart.
Is Navratri a good time to start wearing a gemstone?
Yes. The whole festival falls in Shukla Paksha, the waxing fortnight tradition prefers. Begin on your gemstone's planetary weekday, in the morning, once your chart has been checked.
Is Dussehra auspicious for buying or wearing a gemstone?
Yes. Vijayadashami is one of the Sade Teen Muhurat and is auspicious all day. Its Vijaya Muhurat, a short afternoon window, is the traditional time to begin; your local panchang gives the exact time.
What is Sandhi Puja?
Sandhi Puja is offered across the 48 minutes where Ashtami ends and Navami begins, the most sacred span of Navratri. It covers the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 of Navami, so its time changes every year; check your local panchang.
Can I start Blue Sapphire, Gomed or Cat's Eye during Navratri without advice?
It is not advised. These are powerful gemstones, so tradition calls for a chart review first, and for Blue Sapphire a short trial of about three days.
Begin Your Gemstone Journey This Navratri
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From all of us at Only Natural Gemstones, a blessed Navratri and a victorious Dussehra.
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