The Hindu faith is known for having the most festivals, one of its greatest specialties. Festivity is the Hindu religion’s second moniker, indeed. India is known as “A Land of Festivals” because of its vibrant culture and large events.
“Navratri” is one such festival that is observed all over India.
The purpose of Navratri, which is also known as the “Nine Nights Festival,” is to honour the Mother Goddess Durga.
All of Mother Goddess Durga’s heavenly incarnations, including Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi, are worshipped during this time.
One of the most important Hindu festivals is observed twice a year.
One is “Chaitra Navratri,” which occurs in March or April just before the start of summer.
Why is Navratri celebrated?
We observe Navratri for nine days twice yearly for spiritual, natural, and mythological purposes. The festival of Navratri is observed right before the shift of the seasons. One at the start of the summer and the other at the start of the winter.
Mother Nature experiences significant change at these turning points in the seasons, and the Navratris, which honour Goddess Shakti, an embodiment of Nature itself, embrace this change.
Both Navratris experience temperate weather, which is ideal for large festivities. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama is credited with beginning the custom of honouring Navratri just before the onset of winter. Before leaving for Lanka, he did the Durga Puja, and he came back victorious.
Devotees venerate Mother Goddess Durga, who stands for the Supreme Energy of the Universe, during both of these Navratri celebrations.
She is the innate force behind all creation, preservation, and annihilation.
The name “Durga” means “one who removes misery.”
People completely devote themselves to her worship in the hopes that Goddess Durga will end their suffering and bring them happiness, and joy.
Why Do We Celebrate Navratri for Nine Days?
During Navratri, we venerate the goddess Durga in all of her manifestations. The three fundamental facets of the Supreme Mother Goddess Durga—Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati—are honoured during Navratri.
On the first three days, Kali, the destructor of all our sins, who represents the Goddess, is worshipped. Over the next three days, we will worship Lakshmi, the goddess mother who is revered as the source of limitless riches.
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, has been honoured over the past three days. The ninth day of the celebration is known as “Maha Navmi,” and on Chaitra Navratri, it is also known as “Ram Navmi.” The eighth day of the festival is known as “Ashtami.”
People venerate all nine of Goddess Durga’s incarnations during the Navratri festival.
Mata Shailputri, Mata Brahmacharini, Mata Chandraghanta, Mata Kushmanda, Maa Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Mata Kalratri, Mata Maha Gauri, and Mata Siddhidatri are the names of Mother Durga’s nine avatars or shapes.
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, has been honoured over the past three days.
Tales from Navratri
Numerous tales are associated with the Navratri festival.According to a well-known myth, Mahishasura was the name of a tremendously strong Demon.He gained immortality with Lord Shiva’s help, making him impervious to harm from any instrument.
Also read: Immerse yourself in Health with Navratri Fasting
Then he began murdering innocent individuals on Earth. The goddess Durga was created to slay this malevolent being. The united forces of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and all the other Devas produced Goddess Durga.
Goddess Durga and Mahishasura engaged in a fierce battle for nine days before the goddess decapitated the demon on day ten.
The conflict between Mahishasura and Goddess Durga is represented by the nine days of Navratri. Another myth holds that to obtain the goddess Durga’s blessings for slaying the demon Ravana, Lord Rama worshipped her in all nine of her manifestations.
He offered nine days of devotion to the goddess. We commemorate Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi on the tenth day of Sharad Navratri, the day that Lord Rama overcame and killed Ravana.
Naratri Tale
In almost all of India, the Hindu holiday of Navratri is observed for nine (9) full days. Maa Durga is honoured and celebrated during the Navratri holiday.
The celebration primarily commemorates Devi Durga’s victory over Mahisasura, the buffalo demon, and the triumph of good over evil.
The celebration has a strong connection to Lord Rama’s victory over Demon King Ravana.
Nine distinct manifestations of Devi Durga, including Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahaguari, and Siddhidatri, are worshipped over the nine days of Navratri.
