Significance of Navratri

● Navratri, one of the most popular festivals of India, is of great significance for Hindus.

● It is devoted to the adoration of the nine aspects of divine Goddess Durga who is as well seen as an embodiment of the trinity of goddesses: Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.

● The festivities of Navratri are centered around the theme of the victory of good over evil.

● The ninth day of Navratri is acknowledged as Mahanavmi, and a special prayer (Kanya Pooja) is performed on this occasion.

● The nine-day long festival culminates with the belief that the acts and rituals done as part of the celebrations will purify our inner self while chucking out evil characteristics, such as anger, greed, and jealousy.

History of Navratri The celebration of Navratri is strewn around several legends.

One of the popular beliefs is associated with the demon king, Mahishasura, who later on gaining eternal power from Lord Shiva, began to take away innocent lives. To overcome the ruthless dominion of the demon king, the Hindu Trinity: Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Mahesh combined their supreme powers to take the form of Goddess Durga, who slew Mahishasura after the nine-day conflict. According to Hindu mythology, Navratri is celebrated to commemorate this eternal victory over the malevolent deeds of Mahishasura. Another legend has it that Uma – the daughter of King Daksha – married Lord Shiva against her father’s will. As retaliation, King Daksha arranged a Homa (ancient ritual) and invited all the divinities except for Lord Shiva. Unendurable of the insult caused to her husband, Uma gave away her life by jumping into the Yagna fire. But in her resurgence, she married Lord Shiva while reconciling with her parents and coming to stay with them for nine days every year. This is now observed as Navratri.

There is also a belief that Lord Rama – the incarnation of Lord Vishnu – worshipped Goddess Durga for nine days in order to acquire divine power required to overcome Ravana and get back his beloved, Sita. Those nine days indicate Navratri, and the tenth day on which he killed Ravana is celebrated as Dussehra.

Navratri Celebrations

● Navratri is celebrated across India, though in different ways.

● While it is observed as Saraswati Puja in southern states like Kerala, it is known as Durga Puja in eastern part, especially West Bengal.

● The nine auspicious nights of Navratri is dedicated to the Goddess Shakthi.

● It is celebrated twice in a year during March-April and September-October.

● Ramlila, Garba, and Dandiya Ras are some of the major highlights of the festival.

Nine Days of Navratri ● Nine mighty forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped in each of the nine nights of Navratri.

● The first incarnation of Goddess Durga – Mata Shailputri - is worshipped on the inaugural day of the festival. She is the goddess of power and energy.

● The embodiment of love and loyalty, Mata Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day.

● The third day is devoted to Mata Chandraganta who is worshipped to gain eternal strength and happiness.

● On the fourth day, Mata Kushmanda is worshipped.

● The fifth day is to honor Skanda Mata whose blessing is touted to convert even an idiot to an incredibly knowledgeable person.

● The sixth and seventh days are devoted to Mata Katyayani and Mata Kalaratri respectively.

● Mata MahaGauri and Mata Siddhidatri are other forms of Goddess Durga worshipped in the eighth and ninth days of Navratri.

Navratri Customs

● The festivities of nine-day Navratri coincide with the seventh month of the Hindu lunar calendar, Ashwin.

● Prior to the festival, devotees clean their houses. ● The image of Goddess Durga is placed in homes and temples. ● Special prayers by way of bhajans, japas, and kirtans are offered to invoke the

Goddess. ● Devotees fast from sunrise to sunset during this period. ● Kanya Puja is performed on the eighth or ninth day of the festival. In this ritual, nine

virgin girls, preferably in pre-puberty stage, are worshiped as a symbol of Goddess Durga’s nine forms.

● The devotional dance of Garbha and Dandiya Ras are performed during the nine nights of Navratri.

Navratri Fast

● Devotees observe fasting for seven to eight days during the auspicious occasion of Navratri.

● A specific diet devoid of non-vegetarian dishes and alcohol is followed during the fast.

● Fruits and dishes made using potatoes as well as sagos are consumed while fasting.

● Special ready-to-eat snacks, particularly made for the occasion, are also now available.

● An interesting ritual of Navrati is the worshiping of young girls on the eighth or ninth day when the fast is broken.

Dandiya Ras in Navratri

● Navratri celebrations are incomplete without Dandiya Ras, also known as stick dance or sword dance.

● Mainly performed as a mock battle between the Goddess Durga and the Demon King, Mahishasura, this dance involves the use of the beautifully decorated bamboo sticks that are regarded the weapon of the goddess.

● As they move in a circular motion, the performers strike the sticks with their partners. ● Since the steps involved in the dance are intricate, buoyant, and fast-paced, it is performed by

accomplished dancers only. ● Contrary to Garbha, Dandis Ras is performed after Aarti, and both men and women take part in

the dance. ● While women clad themselves in marvelously embroidered Ghaghra, choli and bandhni

dupattas, men choose to wear traditional outfits in the form of pajamas, kurtas, and pagdi.

Navratri Garbha

● Garbha – a popular devotional dance originated in the Indian state of Gujarat – is one of the indispensable segments of the highly venerated Navratri celebrations that last for nine days.

● This dance form gets its name from Garbha Deep that indicates earthen pot containing a burning wick.

● Legend has it that the Princess Rukmini – the wife of Lord Krishna – performed it for the first time.

● Performed to honor Goddess Durga, this dance is noteworthy for its graceful steps in accompaniment to the tunes rendered by special folk instruments, particularly Nagara, Damru, and Jantar.

● It is usually performed prior to Aarti – the ritual of worshipping deity. ● The dancers place pots on their heads and perform around a clay lantern while

simultaneously singing as well as clapping their hands. ● Garbha is performed by women only.

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