Navaratri- An Introduction
Navaratri is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of India. It highlights the Universal Divine Feminine Energy that manifests in many Goddess forms and its exploits in rooting out evil from the face of the earth and establishing virtue for people to lead a righteous life.
The term ‘Nava Ratri' means 9 Nights, and the festival is indeed a worship and celebration extending to 9 nights. It usually falls during the Hindu Month of Ashvin, corresponding to September-October. This Year, Navaratri 2023 is celebrated from October 15 to October 23, 2023, with the following Day, October 24, observed as Vijaya Dashami, the 10th Day of the Ultimate Triumph of Good over evil.
The Legend of Navaratri
The most popular Navaratri legend speaks about the slaying of the mighty demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga.
The buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura did severe penance and obtained many incredible boons, the most powerful of which protected him from being killed by anyone other than a woman. Assuming himself to be invincible and hence immortal, the mighty Mahishasura let loose his reign of terror on heaven and earth, subjecting Devas, the celestials, and human beings to unspeakable cruelty. Unable to bear his oppression, the Devas took shelter in the Supreme Trinity of Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, who then pooled their Divine powers and gave an amazing feminine form to them. Thus was born the mighty Goddess Durga with many arms and holding in them several lethal weapons.
Riding a ferocious lion, Durga led her army and took on the demonic forces of Mahishasura. The bloody battle went on for 9 days and nights when the Divine army annihilated the evil forces gradually. At last, on the 10th Day of the war, Durga fought a fierce duel with Mahishasura, slew him with her powerful trident, and rid the world of his atrocities.
People commemorate Durga's battle of 9 nights by celebrating Nava Ratri, the 9-Night Festival, and observe the 10th Day of her resounding victory as Vijaya Dashami.
Navaratri Significance
The 9 Goddess-nights of Navaratri follow Mahalaya Amavasya, the highly propitious New Moon to please the ancestors and earn their blessings, and extend from Prathipada, the first Thithi or the lunar Day of the Moon's bright fortnight, to Navami, the ninth Thithi; while the tenth Thithi is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami.
It is a belief that the Goddess appears in many different, unique forms, and it is a convention to dedicate Navaratri to worshiping Navadurga, the 9 potent forms of Durga, devoting each Day to one of these 9 Divine aspects.
Accordingly, it is Devi Shailaputri, the daughter of the Himalayas, the king of the mountains, whom people worship on the first Navaratri Day. Praying to her is believed to help devotees rise in their consciousness.
The Navaratri, second Day worship, is for Devi Brahmacharini, who performed severe penance and austerities to obtain Shiva as her consort. Praying to her can help devotees meditate on the Goddess and explore the Divinity within them.
Devi Chandraghanta, the Parvati aspect at the time of her marriage to Shiva, is the Goddess of the third Day, whose worship can help people be relieved of worldly attachments and focus entirely on the Divine Mother.
The fourth Day is for Devi Kushmanda worship, which can bestow devotees with abundant Divine energy.
Devi Skanda Mata, the Mother of Skanda, is the Motherly Goddess form, meant for the fifth Day of worship, which can grant prosperity and wisdom and lead to liberation.
The sixth Navaratri Day is for Devi Katyayani, the annihilator of negativities and demonic forces. Her grace can help devotees conquer their inner demons and advance in spiritual evolution.
Devi Kalaratri is the Goddess revered on the seventh Day. This fierce form representing dark energy can bestow comprehensive protection and power.
Devi Mahagauri represents everything serene and beautiful in nature. As per belief, venerating her on the eighth Day can bless devotees with her immensely beneficial energy and lead them to salvation.
Devi Siddhidatri, honored on the last Navaratri Day, is the one who can bestow the power for great attainments and accomplishments. She can provide perfection and help devotees lead lives of fulfillment.
Navaratri Celebrations
Navaratri is a pan-India festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, but there are various ways in which people observe it in different regions.
Perhaps the biggest Navaratri celebration takes place in the Eastern states like West Bengal, where they install images of Durga in temporary pavilions in public places, offer worship daily, conduct cultural programs, and on the 10th Day of Vijaya Dashami, carry the idols in grand processions and immerse them in water bodies.
In Western states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, people in large numbers perform dances like Daandya Raas and Garba in public places, commemorating Raas Leela, the celebrated dance Krishna is believed to have played with the female cowherds.
While people organize 'Golu,' an attractive arrangement of rows of dolls in their homes in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu, Navaratri is celebrated as Dussehra in the neighboring Karnataka, where they hold grand processions and many festivities.
In the North, like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, Navaratri or Dussehra is observed as Ram Leela when they enact episodes from the life story of Rama, and on the 10th Day of Vijaya Dasami, they set fire to imposing effigies of demons Ravana and his kin, to mark Rama's slaying them in the battle and establishing the righteous order.
Navaratri Worship
People clean and decorate their houses with flowers and festoons during Navaratri, install images or pictures of the Goddess and other Divinities at the altar, light traditional lamps and incense sticks, and offer flowers, fruits, and oblations like sweets, snacks, and special dishes, recite hymns and sing songs in praise of the deities, perform Archana and Arti worship, pray to the Gods and Goddesses for their blessings and then distribute oblations as Prasad to family members and others.
It is also a tradition for people to visit their relatives and friends during Navaratri, join the worship and celebrations, and spend pleasant times together. Thus, Navaratri is as much a time for prayers and religious activities as for meetings, greetings, and socializing.
Navaratri is here for this Year, and let us prepare for its grand celebration, prayers, and enjoyment.
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