Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The word Navratri means 'Nine Nights', In Sanskrit 'Nava' means nine and 'Ratri' meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. It is celebrated in various parts of India in different styles. But the one of the basic aim of this celebration is to propitiate Shakti in her aspect as power, to bestow upon man all wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge (both sacred and secular), and all other potent powers. The man, the imperfect, the bound, the sorrowful, has a thousand enemies. He is riddled with thousand enemies' within. He is riddled with negative thoughts fear, yearnings. These are selfless, jealously, meanness, prejudice, and hatred. To get rid of these lawless villains within, theses destructive masters are to be annihilated.
Navratri is a very important and popular festival of India. It comes twice on a year, once around March-April called as 'Chaitra Navratri' and the second time, around September-October called as 'Sharad Navratri'. Throughout this period, fasts, strictly vegetarian diets, 'Japa' (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti), religious hymens, prayer, meditation, and recitation of sacred texts related to Devi Maa from the order of the day.
The main ritual of Navratri, celebrated on September-October, consists of placing images of Goddess Durga, in homes and temples. There is also a custom of planting barley seeds in a small bed of mud on the first day of 'Puja' and its immersion in running water on concluding day.
India is a land of boundless customs, rituals and festivals. With every festival a unique legend is related and these legendary stories narrate the significance of the festivals along with the rituals performed. As established by legends, the Hindus have thirty-three Crore Gods and Goddesses, and with every deity a story is related. These stories are referred as 'Katha'. Accordingly devotees observe fast and gather to listen the 'Navrari Katha'.
In different parts of Idea, different legends describe the history and origin of Navratri. Legend in North India goes that 'Mahishasura' (the buffalo headed demon) was extremely powerful, who won over the heaven and threw 'Devtas' outside it. He captured the throne of lord of gods Indra and declared himself to be the lord of gods. In order to save gods, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the three supreme deities emerged a light of anger, which combined to take the shape of a terrible form and this was Durga. The Trinity empowered the Durga with all powers and all the supreme weapons they had. This is why the Durga is called brilliance of all the Gods. In a battle between 'Mahishasura' and Durga which continued for nine days, ultimately on the ninth day Durga took up the form of Chandika and killed 'Mahishasura'.
Eastern Belief: As per the legend prevalent in East India, 'Daksha' the king of Himalayas, had a beautiful and virtuous daughter called 'Uma'. She wished to marry Shiva, since childhood. In order to win over the land, she worshipped him and managed to please Shiva to marry her. On this 'Daksha' broke off all the relationships with her daughter and son-in-law. Subsequently 'Daksha' organized a 'Yagna' and did not invite Lord Shiva. 'Uma' got so angry at her father that she jumped into the 'Agnikund' and ended her life. However Uma took re-birth and again married Lord Shiva. It is believed that Uma with Ganesha, Kartika. Sarswati, Laxmi and two of her Sakhi's 'Jya' and 'Bijaya', visit every year to her parent's home during Navratri.
Another legend of Navratri relates to the Hindu epic Ramayana. It goes that Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga in nine aspects, for nine days, in order to gather the strength and power to kill Ravana. Those nine nights became to be known as Navratri and the tenth day, on which Lord Rama killed Rvana, came to be called Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, signifying Rama's (good) triumph over Ravana (evil).
These nine days are worshiped in different nine forms of Durga, which are;
1. SHAILPUTRI; is the first form amongst the Navdurga and is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. The first day is also called as 'Pratipada' She is embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and daughter of Himalaya. She is absolute form of Mother Nature. The color associated with the day is red.
2, BRAHMACHARANI; is second form of Navdurga and worshipped on second day of Navratri, also called as 'Dwitiya'. The color associated with the day is royal blue.
3. CHANDRAGHANTA; is the third form of Maa Durga and worshipped on third day of Navratri, also called as 'Tritiya'. She bears a semi-circular moon on her forehead. She is unprecedented image of bravery. The color associated with the day is yellow.
4. KUSHMANDA; is the fourth form of Durga and worshipped on fourth day of Navratri, also called as 'Chaturthi'. She created the universe with her divine smile. She is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength. The color associated with the day is green.
5, SKANDA MATA; Fifth form of Hindu goddess Durga and worshipped on fifth day of Navratri, also called as 'Panchami'. She awards devotees with salvation, power, prosperity and treasures. The color associated with the day is grey.
6. KATYAYANI; the sixth form of Durga is known as Katyayani worshipped on sixth day of Navratri, also called as 'Sashti'. The Rishi 'Katyayan' a lineage of 'Katya' observed penance with a desire to get 'Paramba' as his daughter. The color associated with the day is orange.
7. KALRATRI; is the seventh form of Maa Durga worshipped on seventh day of Navratri, also called as 'Saptami'. She is considered as most violent form of Durga. She is blackish in appearance with unlocked hair and bright eyes. She rides on 'Shava' (dead bodies). As legend goes she killed demon 'Raktabija' who had the boon that if any drop of blood of him fell on the ground another 'Raktbija' will be created, hence Kaalratri drank the blood to prevent it from falling on the ground. The color associated with the day is white.
8. MAHA GAURI; is eighth manifestation of Durga and worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri, called as 'Ashtami'. She is as white as a conch, moon and jasmine. The color associated with the day is pink.
9. SIDDHIDATRI; is the ninth form of the Durga and worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri, also called as 'Navami'. It is believed that there are eight types of Slddhis as Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva, and Vashitya. Maha Maya gives all this siddhis. The color associated with the day is sky blue.
The Navratri, concludes with honoring the young unmarried girls (Kanjaka-Pujan). These girls are believed to be representing, the Shakti (power) of Durga on earth. 'Devi Bhagvata' provides than a girl below one year of age cannot be taken for puja and a girl of two years is taken as 'Kumari', of three years as 'Trimurti', of four years as 'Kalyani', of five years as 'Rohini', of six years as 'Kalika', of seven years as 'Chandika', of eight years as 'Shambhvi', of nine years as 'Durga' and of ten years as 'Subhadra'. The 'Pujan' of above ten years girl is prohibited. |
