Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra Ashwin (September-October). It is a festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine, the goddess Durga. The festival is celebrated with great fervour and devotion throughout India, especially in the states of Gujarat, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. The festival is celebrated with colourful decorations, traditional dances, and religious rituals. It is a time of joy and celebration for all Hindus, as it marks the victory of good over evil.
History of Navratri
Navratri has been celebrated for centuries in India, and its origin can be traced back to the ancient Vedic texts. According to Hindu mythology, the festival marks the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga. In Ashwin navratri, the tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, and it is believed that the goddess Durga grants her devotees with health, wealth, and prosperity.
When to Celebrate Navratri
In the Hindu month of Ashwin, it usually falls between September and October and in the Hindu month of Chaitra it falls in the months of March or April. The festival is celebrated for nine days, and it marks the beginning of the autumn season. In Ashwin, the tenth day of Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami, which marks the victory of good over evil. In 2023 ,Ashwin Navratri will be celebratrd from 15th October to 24th October.
Significance of Navratri
Navratri is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is believed that the goddess Durga grants her devotees with health, wealth, and prosperity. The festival also marks the beginning of the summer or autumn season, and it is a time to celebrate the bounty of nature. The nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga, and devotees worship each form of the goddess with great devotion.
How to Celebrate Navratri
Navratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion throughout India. People decorate their homes with colourful decorations and lights, and they perform traditional dances and rituals in honour of the goddess Durga. Devotees also perform aarti, or the worship of the goddess Durga, and they offer prayers and offerings to the goddess. Devotees also observe a fast for the nine days of the festival, and they abstain from certain foods and activities. gGarba is also performed these days.
Summary
Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated for nine days in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October). It is a festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine, the goddess Durga. The festival is celebrated with great fervour and devotion throughout India, especially in the states of Gujarat, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. The nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga, and the tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami. People decorate their homes with colourful decorations and lights, and they perform traditional dances and rituals in honour of the goddess Durga. Navratri is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, and it is believed that the goddess Durga grants her devotees with health, wealth, and prosperity.
You can explore other festivals such as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and Ayudha Pooja.