HAPPY NAVRATRI/ HAPPY DURGA PUJA'Nava-ratri' is one of the most important Hindu festivals in the country. It is celebrated
with immense zeal and enthusiasm all over the country. It is celebrated twice a year -once
in Chaitra (March-April) and the other in Ashwin (September-October). Navartra literally
means 'nine auspicious nights'. It is actually the worship of the Goddess of power in order
to seek her protection from any possible kind of threat and calamities that may destroy
the peaceful life of people on earth. As she is the goddess of power, she is believed to
have the power of creation, preservation and destruction.
Nine Days Navaratri CelebrationsNavaratri is separated into sets of three days i.e. into three sets. These sets are made
in order to adore different facets of the supreme goddess. On the initial three days, the
Goddess is invoked as the supreme powerful force called Durga. Goddess Durga is meant
to all our contaminations, evils and defects. On the next three days, she is worshipped
as the mother of spiritual wealth, Goddess Lakshmi, She is the one who is considered
to have the power of showering on her devotees with the blessings of never-ending
wealth. In the final set of three days, the Goddess is worshipped as the goddess of
wisdom, Saraswati. The one is responsible for spiritual enlightenment and overall
success in life.
She is also worshipped under nine different names for the nine days in Navratri. Every day,
she assumes a new character, a new look and a new duty. She is worshipped as Shailputri,
Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha Gauri
and Siddhidatri. For the initial six the Pooja celebrations are limited to home. The celebrations
acquire a festive form since the seventh day when the festivities of Navratri surround the atmosphere.
First Day PoojaThe first form of Goddess Durga is called Shailputri . She is considered the daughter of the
Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva.
Second Day PoojaThe second form of Goddess Durga is known as 'Brahmacharini'. Her name is derivative of the
word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. She is also a form of Uma or Parvati, a
form of Mata Shakti.
Third Day PoojaOn the third day the goddess is worshipped as Chandraghanta. She is the symbolic
representation of beauty and bravery.
Fourth Day PoojaKushmanda, is the form of the goddess which is worshipped on the fourth day. It is
believed that Kushmanda is the creator of the entire Universe and she has created the
entire Universe by her laugh.
Fifth Day PoojaOn the fifth day, the form of Goddess is called Skand Mata. She is actually called so because
she is here represented as the mother of Skanda, the chief warrior of the Gods army.
Sixth Day PoojaOn the sixth day, the goddess is worshipped as Katyayani. Seated on her vehicle lion,
Katyayani has three eyes and four hands.
Seventh Day PoojaOn the seventh day, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Kalratri'. As the name suggests,
Kalrati is as black as a dark night. She has four hands, she is meant to make the devotees fearless.
Eighth Day Pooja On the eight day, the Mata Rani is worshipped as 'Maha Gauri'. She is considered to
extremely beautiful, white like snow and accessorized with white colored ornaments.
She represents calmness and exhibits wisdom.
Ninth Day Pooja On the ninth day, Durga is worshipped as Siddhidatri. It is believed she consists of all
the eight siddhis. She lives on lotus and is worshipped by all the Rishis-Munis, Siddhas,
Sadhakas and Yogis.
India is a country of festivals and celebration. It has a very rich historical and cultural
background. Each Indian festival has a proper meaning, reason and significance behind
its celebration. Fun and enjoyment are the aspects of the festivals, which sets the festive
mood. Navratri, as the name suggests, means nine nights. It is one of the important Hindu
festivals. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, the deity of Power. Like other
festivals of India, Navratri also has a significance and meaning attached to it. Each day of the
nine-day festival are dedicated to the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga, which
unfolds the religious importance of the occasion. Go through the following lines to know more
about the significance of Navratri festival.
Significance of Navratri The First Three Days of NavratriThe first three days of Navratri are devoted to the worship of the Goddess Durga. This is the
period, when her energy and power are worshipped. Each day is dedicated to a different
appearance of Durga. Kumari, which signifies the girl child, is worshipped on the first day
of the festival. Parvati, who is the embodiment of a young woman, is worshipped on the
second day. The destructive aspects of Goddess Durga symbolize the commitment to acquire
triumph over all the evil tendencies. Hence, on the third day of Navratri, Goddess Kali is worshipped,
who represents the woman who has reached the stage of maturity.
Fourth to Sixth Days of NavratriWhen a person acquires triumph over evil tendencies of ego, anger, lust and other animal
instincts, he/she experiences a void. This void is filled with spiritual wealth. For the purpose,
the person approaches Goddess Lakshmi, to acquire all the materialistic, spiritual wealth
and prosperity. This is the reason why the fourth, fifth and sixth day of Navratri are dedicated
to the worship of Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity and peace.
Although the individual has acquired victory over evil tendencies and wealth, he is still deprived
of true knowledge. Knowledge is required to live the life of a humane, even though he/she is
prospered with power and wealth. Therefore, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the fifth day
of Navratri. All the books and other literature materials are gathered in one place and a 'diya'
(earthen lamp) is lit in front of the deity, to invoke the goddess and seek her blessings. Till the
time the books are kept at the puja room, the students would not study.
Seventh and Eighth Day of NavratriThe seventh day is dedicated to worshipping Saraswati, the goddess of art and knowledge.
Prayers are offered with an aim to seek spiritual knowledge. A 'yagna' is performed on the
eight day. This comprises of a sacrifice honoring goddess Durga as well as bids her farewell.
The sacrifice or offering is made out of clarified butter (ghee), rice pudding known as kheer
and sesame seeds.
Ninth Day of NavratriThe ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations. It is also known as 'Mahanavami'.
On the day, Kanya puja is performed to worship nine young girls, who have not yet reached
the stage of puberty. These nine girls symbolize one of the nine forms of goddess Durga. The
feet of girls are washed to welcome the goddess and show respect to her. The girls are offered
a set of new clothes as a gift from the devotees at the end of the puja.
The nine days and nights of Navratri are dedicated to Mother Goddess. The celebrations of
the festival include fasts, strictly vegetarian diet, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the
Goddess Shakti) and recitation of religious hymns, prayer, meditation and sacred texts
related to Goddess Durga. Navratri is celebrated twice a year - once in the month of Chaitra
(April-May) and again in the month of Ashwin (September-October). On both the occasions,
nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. In the September-October celebrations,
the main ritual consists of placing images of the Goddess in homes and temples. On the tenth day,
the idol is immersed in water. Numerous other celebrations are also associated with Navratri festival.
Let us know more about the celebrations of Navratri.