NAVRATRI

 

                                        NAVRATRI                                                                     Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion for nine nights and ten days. Goddess Durga is worshiped in nine forms during this festival. People dress up with gorgeous Lehenga Cholis and decorate themselves & play Dandia and Garba overnight to showcase their love and devotion. This festival is celebrated by all Hindus and has special significance in Gujrat and Bengal.

 In the eastern and northeastern states of India, Durga puja is synonyms with Navratri, in the northern and western states the festival is synonyms with “Ramlila” or “Dussehra”

History

Once upon a time the fiercest demon. Mahishasura was granted immortality by lord Bramha with the condition being that he could only be defeated by a woman, not a man. Taking the advantage of this he attacked the Earth, Heaven, and Hell, and nobody could defeat him or stop him from doing so. Then lord Bramha, Lord Vishnu, and lord Shiva combined their power to create Goddess Durga. It is believed that Durga fought with Mahishasura for 9 days and finally on the tenth day she killed him therefore that day is called the Vijayadashmi or the day of victory.

 

9 FORMS OF MAA DURGA

The first form of Durga is Shilaputri Devi. She adorns a trisula and a lotus in her hands and she is also seen riding a bull named Nandi devotees offer pure ghee to Shilaputri Devi on the first day.

 

The monastic goddess Bramhacharini is a symbol of penance, renunciation, and nobility. She is served bhog of sugar and fruits. So, the second day marks the second avatar.

 

Goddess  Chandraghanta is the third form of Durga Devi who is a fierce, ten-armed goddess with anger in her veins, she is served sweet made of milk such as Kheer.

 

Goddess Khushmanda is worshiped on the fourth day because she is known to create the universe or the cosmic egg with warmth and energy. People observe a fast on this day and offer Malpua as a  Bhog.

 

This day is known as Panchami or 5th manifestation of maa Durga, Goddess Skandmata is worshiped. She is depicted with a four-armed deity with a lotus in one hand and Kamadalu and bell in the other hand. This calm goddess is offered bananas as a sign of good health.

 

Goddess Katyayani is worshiped on the shasthi. She is the symbol of true devotion and she blesses people with a sweet life. She is given sweet honey as the prasad that signifies sweetness.

On the seventh day or the maha, Shaptami Goddess Kaairatri is worshiped. She has the power to destroy the evil spirit and power.

 

Goddess Mahagauri rides on a white elephant or a bull and is the symbol of preservance and penance. She is offered coconut on Ashtami.

 

Goddess Siddhidhatri is Worshiped on the day of Navami and signifies knowledge, wisdom, and accomplishment in the form of shakti. The word siddhidatri signifies perfection. Goddess Siddidatri is served til or sesame seeds as Prasad.

Finally comes the Vijaydashmi which is the end of Navratri.

“May Maa Durga give us the power to fight against the evil corona...”

                                                                           by Aarushi Dash