Navratri night affirmations: a mantra and an affirmation for each night

Navratri, the nine nights of the Goddess, is one of my favourite times of the year. Each night is dedicated to a different form of Maa Durga, and each form carries its own quality: steadiness, discipline, courage, creativity, clarity, strength and the courage to face our fears.

For Sharad Navratri 2026 I shared a short night ritual for each day. This page keeps them together, so you can follow along this year or come back to them at any Navratri.

The night ritual

The ritual is the same every night. Only the affirmation changes.

1. Before bed, sit quietly in your puja space or anywhere calm. Light a diya if you like.
2. Chant the Durga mantra 108 times, using a mala to count: ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः (Om Dum Durgayei Namah). Dum is the beej, or seed sound, of Maa Durga.
3. Repeat the night's affirmation 11 times, slowly, feeling each word.
4. Where there is a visualisation, close your eyes and stay with it for a minute or two.
5. Go to sleep with the affirmation as your last thought.

Affirmations said just before sleep tend to stay with us, because the mind is quiet and receptive. You don't need to fast or follow every traditional rule to do this. A sincere few minutes is enough.

Day 1: Maa Shailputri

Shailputri, the daughter of the mountain, is the first form of Durga. She is the root, steady and strong.

Affirmation: "I am rooted like a mountain. My emotions are my strength, and I begin again with a calm, steady heart."

Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini is the form of devotion and tapasya, the Goddess walking the path of discipline.

Affirmation: "My discipline is my power. Every small act of devotion today builds the destiny I am walking towards."

Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta wears a half moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. She is graceful and fierce at once, a protector.

Affirmation: "I meet the world with grace and courage. My peace is not weakness; it is the force that protects me."

Day 4: Maa Kushmanda

Kushmanda is said to have created the universe with her smile. She is the light and warmth at the beginning of everything.

Affirmation: "I carry a light that creates worlds. My energy, my smile and my vision bring warmth wherever I go."

Visualisation: see yourself as a co-creator, one with the Creator, in harmony with the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space.

Day 5: Maa Skandamata

Skandamata is the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), holding her child with patience and love. She is the nurturing form of the Goddess.

Affirmation: "I think with clarity and speak with truth. I nurture my ideas patiently, and they grow into actions."

Visualisation: let the expression within you be voiced, out loud, into the world outside. End with Tathastu, Tathastu, Tathastu: "so be it".

Day 6: Maa Katyayani

Katyayani is the warrior form of Durga, who rose to defeat Mahishasura. She is courage, wisdom and self-worth.

Affirmation: "I trust my wisdom and my worth. I cut through doubts and walk boldly towards my purpose."

Visualisation: see a strong version of yourself who knows how to set healthy boundaries and go beyond your own limits to reach your goals, without doubting your worth. Be your own light.

Day 7: Maa Kalratri

Kalratri is the darkest and most fearsome form, and also one of the most protective. She destroys fear itself.

Affirmation: "I release what no longer serves me. In the dark I find my courage, and every fear becomes my teacher."

Visualisation: close your eyes and see an evolved version of yourself, setting strong, healthy boundaries. You guard yourself not from fear, but from an honest acknowledgement of what scared you most, because facing it is the landmark of your growth. Own it with grace. The first step is always to acknowledge your fears, then learn, then move on.

The last two nights

The eighth and ninth nights belong to Maa Mahagauri, the form of purity and peace, and Maa Siddhidatri, who grants wisdom and fulfilment. You can keep the same ritual: chant Om Dum Durgayei Namah 108 times and end with a few minutes of gratitude for everything the nine nights have shown you.

Using these at any time

You don't have to wait for Navratri. If one of these affirmations speaks to you, use it for 11 nights in a row whenever you need that quality: Shailputri's steadiness before a big change, Katyayani's courage before a difficult conversation, Kalratri's strength when fear is loud. If you enjoy working with written intentions, my post on how to amplify your goals is a good companion.

What this is not

These are devotional and reflective practices. They support your inner strength; they don't replace medical care, counselling or professional advice where you need it.

If you'd like support

If you would like help releasing what is holding you back, you can book a Reiki healing session, or send me a message first. Jai Mata Di.