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Navratri Thu, 3 Oct, 2024 – Sat, 12 Oct, 2024
Navratri is celebrated in earnest throughout India. The two prime traditions and practices associated with the festival are the following:
Navratri: A Nine-Night Celebration of Divine Feminine Power
Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival performed with great fervor and devotion across India. It is dedicated to the worship of the Divine Feminine in all her forms, primarily represented by the Goddess Durga. The term “Navratri” literally means “nine nights” in Sanskrit.
Significance of Navratri
The festival of Navratri is also a time of celebration at the power and compassion as well as wisdom of the Divine Feminine. In the nine nights of the festival, each night is specifically connected with aspects of the goddess depicting various qualities and energies.
The victory of Good over Evil: Traditional victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura epitomizes the triumph of good over evil.
Religious Reformation: Navratri is the time for religious reformation and reflection. Devotees keep fasts, execute different rituals, and pray to get better boons and protection at the hands of God.
Nine Nights and Nine Forms of Goddess
Navratri is divided into nine nights. Each night denotes a different form of the Goddess. Some of those forms include:
The six forms are followed by the name and the meaning.
Shailaputri: The first one, daughter of mountains.
Brahmacharini: The second one, who is the follower of the person devoted to spiritual life.
Chandraghanta: This is the third form, which symbolizes the goddess wearing a crescent moon in her hand.
Kushmanda: This is the fourth form that shows her as the creator of the universe.
Skandamata: The fifth one refers to her as the mother of Hindu god Skanda
Katyayani: This is the sixth form in which Katyayani appears as the goddess who defeated Mahishasura.
Mahagauri: The seventh form, which depicts the Goddess of wisdom and enlightenment.
Siddhidatri: The eighth form, which symbolizes the Goddess who bestows Siddhis.
Skandamata: The ninth form, which symbolizes the Goddess who fulfills all desires.
Observations on Navratri
Navratri is celebrated in earnest throughout India. The two prime traditions and practices associated with the festival are the following:
Garba and Dandiya: These two traditional folk dances are constituting the major portion of Navratri celebrations, especially in Gujarat.
Pandal Hopping: The devotees throng the decorated pandals where Goddess idols are erected.
Fasting: Many will observe complete fasting for the nine nights with nothing but fruits, milk, or water.
Puja and Offerings: Devotees go before the Goddess and perform prayer, offering, and rituals for her blessings.
