Navratri translates to "nine nights" and is one of the most colorful festivals in India, celebrating spiritual importance. With great enthusiasm and religious fervor, this festival also commemorates the divine feminine energy or Shakti, personified through various manifestations as Goddess Durga.
The festival stretches over a continuous period of nine nights and ten days, during which devotees fast, pray, and enjoy cultural activities like Garba and Dandiya.
While Navratri happens twice in a year, once in the spring, it is very popular as Chaitra Navratri, and once in autumn. So, you may be wondering When is Navratri. However, it is the autumn Navratri that is the most widely celebrated and recognized, and it is also observed most, culminating into Dussehra or Vijayadashami, signifying the victory of good over evil. This festival is not only a religious observance but also a cultural celebration concerning music, dance, and togetherness in communities.
In this blog, the significance, rituals, and different ways of celebrating Navratri are to be viewed across India and beyond. We shall delve into the spiritual essence of the festival and also provide some tips on how you can join in the participation of this festival, whether you are deeply religious or would simply like to get a sense of the cultural feel that comes with it.
This actually means nine nights of the Divine Feminine and her victory over a demon named Mahishasura by the Goddess Durga. Each of these days has a different name for the goddess; hence it is called Navdurga, representing some of her qualities like strength, compassion, wisdom, protection.
This festival rekindles within us faith in victory of good over evil with an undertone of importance of devotion, purity, and righteousness. The ninth day is known as Navami, which culminates in Dussehra when the effigies of the demon king Ravana are burnt to signify the win of Lord Ram over Ravana—the saga of good over evil.
Day 1-Shailaputri: Considering her as a daughter of the mountains, Shailaputri signifies strength and courage. It is the first day when the theme for the festival is established through prayers, which ask for inner strength.
Day 2 - Brahmacharini: Brahmacharini is the goddess of wisdom and knowledge and is worshipped on this day. The people sincerely pray to Brahmacharini for acquiring wisdom and patience.
Day 3 – Chandraghanta: Goddess Chandraghanta, who is admired for bravery, is worshiped on the third day. It is said that her blessings have the power to drive away evil spirits and remove obstacles from one's path.
Day 4 – Kushmanda: It is believed that the Universe has been created by the goddess Kushmanda's divine smile. She is the goddess of energy and vitality.
Day 5 – Skandamata: Mother of Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Skandamata is the epitome of motherhood and protection. She is invoked by her devotees for the well-being of their children.
Day 6 – Katyayani: The sixth day is devoted to Goddess Katyayani, an awesome embodiment of Durga, who was adored for her virtues of bravery and her victory over evil powers.
Day 7 – Kalaratri: She is considered the dark goddess and is worshiped on the seventh day. She destroys all ignorance and darkness and shows the path of enlightenment and wisdom for the devotees.
Day 8 – Mahagauri: Ashtami, the eighth day of the month, is considered one of the most auspicious days when special puja and rituals are related to Navratri.
Day 9 – Siddhidatri: This last day of Navratri is devoted to the deity called Siddhidatri, who bestows different sorts of supernatural powers called siddhis. It is said that she imparts spiritual enlightenment upon her devotees.
Also Read : Best Navratri Wishes, Messages and Greeting
1. Fasting: Many of the devotees observe fasts during Navratri. The people abstain from certain foods and dedicate their time to pray and meditate. The fast can vary from a complete fast to consuming only specific foods like fruits, milk, and nuts.
2. Ghatasthapana: Ghatasthapana means the beginning of the festival, during which a pot or kalash is kept in the house and is considered an invitation card for the goddess. It is filled with water and worshipped for nine days.
3. Kanya Puja: The worship of the goddess through young girls is done on the eighth or ninth day, called Kanya Puja. It is a part of the ritual to return offerings like food, gifts, and new attires.
4. Dandiya and Garba: Exuberant folk dances, Garba and Dandiya are the synonyms for Navratri in Gujarat and Maharashtra. People are colorfully dressed traditionally and dance in a circular motion around the idol or an image of the goddess set up at the center.
5. Durga Puja: This is the main Navratri festival that gets converted into a huge festival in Bengal, where Goddess Durga is worshipped in elaborately designed idols, which on the final day called Vijayadashami, are submerged in water, so that the goddess returns to her heavenly abode.
1. Gujarat: The other names for Navratri in Gujarat are Garba and Dandiya Raas. People of every age get dressed up colorfully and get together to dance in circles, praying through dance and music. It is an immense cultural event whenever the Navratri Festival brings a lot of tourists from all over.
2. West Bengal: In Bengal, this festival is considered as Durga Puja, which is one of the biggest festivals in that state. Beautiful pandals are erected with elaborately designed idols of Goddess Durga. Cultural events sumptuous spread of food, and immersion of idols in water on the last day of the festival are some of the prime features of this festival.
3. Tamil Nadu: Golu is the Tamil Nadu way of celebrating Navratri. Dolls and figurines were arranged on flights of stairs. Most displays consist of a tell-tale depiction of mythology, historical events, and also of daily life. They invite families over to see the Golu and join in for special prayers.
4. Maharashtra: Navratri, a mixture of fasting, prayers, and dance in Maharashtra, resembles most the Gujarati style, as Garba and Dandiya Raas dominate the nights, though more than that, people love adorning their houses and worshiping the goddess with much enthusiasm.
5. Karnataka: Dasara is celebrated as Navratri in Karnataka, particularly in the city of Mysore. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with lights and decorated, and on the day of Vijaya Dashami, a whole procession is carried out with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
From spirituality to cultural aspects to meeting people, Navratri displays an utmost beautiful celebration of the divine feminine. One can fast, dance, or simply be a part of the festive atmosphere when in Navratri. At the time of getting ready to celebrate the Navratri festival in 2024, take time for reflecting upon the deeper meaning of the festival and how it can inspire you toward living a life of devotion, righteousness, and joy.
