Navratri is an attractive Hindu celebration. The nine-day celebration honours Goddess Durga. This year’s festival will take place nationally from Thursday, October 3 to October 12, 2024. The respected holiday features prayers, fasting, singing, dance, and a variety of other cultural activities.
While there are four forms of Navratri, most people are aware with the Sharad Navratri, which is observed in the autumn. This celebration is extremely prevalent in the northern and western areas of India.
Why do we celebrate Sharad Navratri?
The term ‘Navratri’ means ‘nine nights’, and its origins may be traced back to Indian culture’s spiritual system.
The festival’s main story is the conflict between Goddess Durga and the monster Mahishasura. He was a mighty demon who acquired a gift from Lord Brahma that made him indestructible against humans and Gods. However, after getting the boon from Brahma, he got haughty and caused devastation on heaven and earth.
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The gods were powerless to fight the demon, so they sought assistance from Goddess Durga, who was created by merging all of the gods’ energies and emerged as the ultimate manifestation of feminine strength and power. She then mounted a lion and set out on a nine-day-and-night combat with Mahishasura, eventually defeating the demon. As a result, every year, people observe Navratri, which represents the triumph of good over evil.
The significance of Navratri
The Navratri festival is crucial in the Hindu religion and is an essential part of India’s culture calender. The event honours the goddess force known as ‘Shakti’.During the celebration, the goddess Durga is praised for nine nights straight. Each day represents Durga’s nine manifestations in various aspects of life, such as power, knowledge, and riches.
The nine-day celebration is deeply meaningful and has a long history of being commemorated throughout the country. The festival season begins with individuals from various cultures worshipping Goddess Durga and celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. Aside from pujas, lakhs of followers, particularly in Gujarat, commemorate the holiday through the Garba dance. Simultaneously, great Durga Pujas are held throughout the country, making it a holiday of devotional fasting and prayer.
The known Navratri celebration also offers a chance for meditation and renewal. Navratri will continue to unify people this year, as it does every year, symbolising power, devotion, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Important events at the end of Navratri:
- Durga Visarjan: In areas where Durga Puja is popular (such as West Bengal), Navratri culminates with Durga Visarjan, in which idols of Goddess Durga are submerged in water bodies. This represents the goddesses’ returning to her heavenly realm.
- Vijayadashami/Dussehra: Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of the month in practically every region of India. It commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, indicating a victory of justice. Effigies of Ravana, representing evil, are burned at huge public occasions.
- Saraswati The ceremony: In South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the last three days of Navratri are dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. On Vijayadashami, people embark on new learning adventures, such as music or academic pursuits.
- Ayudha Puja: On this day, certain groups worship tools and vehicles, seeking divine blessings for success and wealth at work.
The nine days of praise, devotion, and festivity culminate in the immersing of Goddess Durga’s statues (Durga Visarjan) and the burning of Ravana’s memorials, which represent the triumph of dharma. It is a time of regeneration, introspection, and the start of new endeavours, with individuals praying for wisdom, success, and prosperity.
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