How Navratri Festival (Divine Nine Nights) is beneficial in everyone's life?
Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated for nine consecutive nights and ten days.
This festival is observed twice a year, in the months of Chaitra and Ashwin, and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine manifestations.
The word Navratri is derived from Sanskrit, which means 'nine nights'.
During Navratri, Hindus across the world observe fasts, perform pujas, and participate in cultural events.
The festival is a time of joy, happiness, and spiritual reflection of the divine nine nights.
The nine-day festival will start on Thursday, October 3, 2024 and end on Saturday, October 12, 2024
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Significance of Navratri Festival
Navratri symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Maa Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura after a nine-day battle.The nine-day period is also believed to represent the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
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Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine manifestations of the Goddess, which are:
Shailaputri
Maa Shailaputri is the first manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Maa Shailaputri is also known as Parvati, Hemavati, or Sati.
As the name suggests, she is the daughter (Putri) of the Himalayas (Shaila).
She is depicted as a beautiful goddess with a crescent moon on her forehead, holding a trident and a lotus flower in her two hands.She rides a bull, which represents dharma (righteousness).
Brahmacharini
Maa Brahmacharini is the second manifestation of Goddess Durga.Brahmacharini means a female who is celibate and is associated with penance and knowledge.
She is depicted as a beautiful goddess holding a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand.
She rides a lion. She represents the divine feminine energy of knowledge and wisdom.
She is associated with penance, self-discipline, and austerity.
She is the epitome of a righteous woman who follows the path of virtue and righteousness.
Chandraghanta
Maa Chandraghanta, also known as Chandra-Khanda.Maa Chandraghanta is the divine warrior goddess who represents bravery and courage.
The goddess is depicted as riding on a lion or tiger, holding weapons like a trident, sword, and bow and arrow in her ten hands.
She is adorned with various ornaments like earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, and wears a garland of skulls around her neck.
The goddess is also depicted with a third eye on her forehead, which symbolizes her knowledge and wisdom.
Maa Chandraghanta is said to have emerged from the third eye of Lord Shiva during the battle between the gods and demons.
She was created to protect the gods and defeat the evil demon, Mahishasura.
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Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda is the fourth form of Goddess Durga.She is also known as Adi Shakti, the primordial energy, and is believed to have created the universe with her divine smile.
Maa Kushmanda is a revered goddess who represents the energy and vitality of the sun.
Maa Kushmanda derives her name from three words - 'Ku' meaning little, 'Ushma' meaning warmth or energy, and 'Anda' meaning cosmic egg.
She is depicted with eight hands, holding weapons like a trident, chakra, and lotus flower.
She is also seen holding a pot or kalash filled with divine nectar.
Skandamata
Maa Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga who represents motherly love and affection towards her children.She is also known as Padmasana Devi and is depicted with four arms, holding her son Skanda or Kartikeya in her lap, with one hand in the blessing position, and the other holding a lotus flower.
Maa Skandamata derives her name from Skanda, her son, and Mata, which means mother.
She is depicted with a calm and serene expression and is seen riding on a lion or tiger, symbolizing her courage and strength.
Her son Skanda is Kartikeya or Murugan and the god of war and is depicted holding a spear and riding on a peacock.
Katyayani
The name Katyayani comes from the sage Katyayan.
Maa Katyayani is depicted as having four arms, with one holding a sword, another holding a lotus flower, and the other two arms in mudras or hand gestures symbolizing blessings and fearlessness.
She rides a lion. Maa Katyayani is a powerful deity who is worshiped for her strength, courage, and victory.
Kalaratri
Maa Kalaratri, also known as Goddess Kali.The name Kalaratri means "the night of death," and Maa Kalaratri is known for her ability to destroy all evil and ignorance.
She is depicted as a fierce and terrifying Goddess with a dark complexion, long hair, and four hands.
In her hands, she holds a sword, a trident, and a noose, while the fourth hand is in the gesture of blessing her devotees.
Maa Kalaratri is a fierce and powerful Goddess which is also believed to be the protector of her devotees who can ward off all negative energies.
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Mahagauri
Maa Mahagauri is depicted as a young and beautiful goddess with a fair complexion and is associated with purity, peace, and serenity.Maa Mahagauri is the incarnation of Goddess Kali, who shed her dark complexion and transformed into a serene white goddess.
Maa Mahagauri is depicted as a young and beautiful goddess with purity, serenity, and calmness.
Siddhidatri
Maa Siddhidatri is considered the embodiment of all the eight siddhis, or spiritual powers.The word Siddhi means “accomplishment” or “perfection” in Sanskrit.
Maa Siddhidatri is depicted with four arms, sitting on a lotus flower.
She holds a mace, a conch shell, a lotus flower, and a discus in her four hands.
Her right hand is in the Varada Mudra, which means blessing, and her left hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, which means protection.
Her vehicle is a lion, which represents strength and courage.
She is also believed to bring prosperity, success, and wealth to her devotees.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and is known by different names in different regions.
In the northern part of India, it is celebrated as Durga Puja, while in the eastern part of India, it is celebrated as Durga Puja or Durgotsav.
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Celebrations during "Navratri"
During Navratri, people fast and observe various rituals to seek the blessings of the Goddess.
They wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and offer prayers to the Goddess.
They also perform aarti, sing bhajans, and recite mantras.
In some parts of India, people also perform Garba and Dandiya Raas, which are traditional dance forms.
In the eastern part of India, the festival is celebrated with great pomp and show.
People decorate their houses with lights and flowers, and pandals are set up for the worship of Goddess Durga.
Cultural events and competitions are also organized during this time.
Conclusion
Navratri is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.
It is a time of joy, happiness, and spiritual reflection.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and is known by different names in different regions.
Whether it is fasting, performing pujas, or participating in cultural events, Navratri is a time to seek the blessings of the Goddess and to reaffirm our faith in the power of good over evil.
Written By - Ms. Rudra Sharma