Navratri

Navratri

            Navratri is a festival devoted to the celebration of Divine Mother Durga. Navratri lasts for nine nights and ten days, with the tenth day known as Dussehra. “Nav” means nine and “Ratri” means night. The lunar calendar determines when the four different occasions of Navratri fall each year, with the main festival of Navratri being Sagar Navratri.  Goddess Mother Durga has been worshiped since days that pre-date the Vedic age, and she continues to be revered and celebrated even in modern times especially during the Navratri festivals. 

            The first type of Navratri festival is Vasanta Navratri, which is celebrated in March, the Chaita month of the Hindu Calendar.  Vasanta Navratri marks the end of winter and the well-anticipated arrival of spring. The seasonal change brings joy and enthusiasm, as well as marking the New Year on the lunar calendar. The second type of Navratri is known as Gupta Navratri, also known as Ashada or Gayatri Navratri. Gupta Navratri falls in the months of June or July. These are nine days devoted to the celebration of the Mother Goddess. The third Navratri festival falls between December and February on the modern calendar, and is known as Maagha or Pausha Navratri. 

            The most important festival of Navratri is known as Sharad Navratri, which falls between October and November in the lunar month of Ashvin. This occasion is also a season transition; as the warmer weather and summer-autumn months fade, the chilly winters arrive each year. The nine forms of Durga Mata are worshipped in these nine days. The first three days of Navratri are devoted to Goddess Durga, the supreme goddess. The following three days are in honor of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The last three days are celebrating Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and learning. 

            Each region of India celebrates the nine nights of Navratri differently. In North India, murtis of Goddess Durga are dressed beautifully. The Divine presence of Mother Durga is  acknowledged in young girls and homage is paid to them as a symbol of Her being. Fresh food and gifts are brought to the girls as symbolic offerings to the goddess. In addition, many fast for the full nine days while worshiping the Mother Goddess in all of her forms. In Bengal, ceremonial “pandals” are created and used in worship of the goddesses. In Punjab, the first seven days of Navratri are set aside for fasting, while on the eighth day known as Ashtami, the fast is broken and young girls once again represent the goddess. Puja is offered to the young girls, as well as sweets, and clothing. The ninth day is then Navami. The rituals of Gujarat have become widespread among the entire globe: the tradition of Garba and Dandiya-Raas. Garba and Raas is an energy-filled, fun, and intense devotional way to observe and celebrate the presence of Durga Mata. In any and all forms of worship, Navratri is a glorious festival that observes and pays tribute to the power and splendor of Goddess Durga in all Her glory and Shakti.

Written by Arushi Agarwal

Director  HYSC 2015