The
festival of Navratri (nav = nine and ratri = nights) lasts for 9 days
with three days each devoted to worship of Maa Durga, the Goddess of
Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Saraswati, the Goddess
of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratri, feasting and fasting
take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus.
Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worhip Goddess
Durga Maa.
The
beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important
junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken
as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The dates
of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. Being the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism has numerous belief systems.
In
Hinduism the adherents believe in one omnipresent Deity but may worship
Her/Him in any of the numerous manifestations that are prevalent all
over India.
Navaratri represents celebration of Goddess Durga, the manifestation of
Deity in form of Shakti [Energy or Power]. Dasahara, meaning ‘ten
days’, becomes dussehra in popular parlance. The Navaratri festival or
‘nine day festival’ becomes ‘ten day festival’ with the addition of the
last day, Vijayadashami which is its culmination. On all these ten days,
the various forms of Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga) are worshipped
with fervour and devotion.
The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are sown, sprouting is watched, the planets are consecrated, and on the 8th and 9th days, Goddess Durga, Vijayashtami and Mahanavami are worshipped. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.
1st - 3rd day of Navratri
On the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in
the puja room and barley seeds are sown on it. These initial days are
dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy.
4th - 6th day of Navratri
During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped.
7th - 8th day of Navratri
7th - 8th day of Navratri
These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire
the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly
bondage. But on the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna (holy fire) is performed.
Mahanavami
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped.
Navaratri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri,
Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, and the Poushya/Magha
Navaratri. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and
the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are very important.
1. Vasanta Navaratri: Basanta Navrathri, also known as Vasant
Navratras, is the festival of nine days dedicated to the nine forms of
Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the spring season (March–April). It is also
known as Chaitra Navratra. The nine days of festival is also known as
Raama Navratri.
2. Gupta Navaratri: Gupta Navratri, also referred as Ashadha or
Gayatri or Shakambhari Navratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine
forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadha (June–July).
Gupta Navaratri is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing
phase of moon).
3. Sharana Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navratris. It is simply called Maha Navratri (the
Great Navratri) and is celebrated in the month of Ashvina. Also known
as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of
winter, September–October).
4. Poushya Navaratri: Poushya Navratri is nine days dedicated to
the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Pousha
(December–January). Poushya Navaratri is observed during the Pousha
Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
5. Magha Navaratri: Magha Navratri, also referred as Gupta
Navratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother
Goddess) in the month of Magha (January–February). Magha Navaratri is
observed during the Magha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
"Shloka"
Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike |
Sharanye trayambake gauri, Narayani namostute ||
Sharanye trayambake gauri, Narayani namostute ||
Meaning: O Mother ! You are the personification of all
that is auspicious, You are the benevolent form of Lord Shiva, You
bestow Divine energy and help people achieve Righteousness, wealth,
fulfill desires and Liberation, You are worthy of being surrendered to. Three eyes adorn You. O Narayani Devi, I pay obeisance to You !
Happy Navratri
Navratri/Navratra Festival Photos
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