Navratri- a festival dedicated to Durga
Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights (and ten days) and is celebrated every year .... Main article: Durga Puja. Two Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata during Navratri. The Navaratri is celebrated as the Durga Puja festival in West Bengal.
Navratri, (Sanskrit: “nine nights”)in full Sharad Navratri; Navratri also spelled Navaratri; also called Durga Puja, in Hinduism, major festival held in honour of the divine feminine. Navratri occurs over 9 days during the month of Ashvin, or Ashvina (in the Gregorian calendar, usually September–October).
It often ends with the Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami) celebration on the 10th day. In some parts of India, Dussehra is considered a focal point of the festival, making it effectively span 10 days instead of 9. Additionally, as Navratri depends on the lunar calendar, in some years it may be celebrated for 8 days, with Dussehra on the 9th.
There are four similar festivals, also called Navratri, which are held at various stages of the year; however, the early autumn festival, also called Sharad Navratri, is the most significant.
Navratri is celebrated differently in India’s various regions. For many people it is a time of religious reflection and fasting; for others it is a time for dancing and feasting. Among fasting customs are observing a strict vegetarian diet and abstaining from alcohol and certain spices.
Dances performed include Garba, especially in Gujarat. Typically the festival’s nine nights are dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine principle, or shakti. While the pattern varies somewhat by region, generally the first third of the festival focuses on aspects of the goddess Durga, the second third on the goddess Lakshmi, and the final third on the goddess Sarasvati.
Offerings are often made to the goddesses and their various aspects, and rituals are performed in their honour. One popular ritual is Kanya Puja, which takes place on the eighth or ninth day. In this ritual nine young girls are dressed as the nine goddess aspects celebrated during Navratri and are worshiped with ritual foot washing and given offerings such as food and clothing.
Introduction:-
Navratri, a Hindu festival celebrated during beginning of Spring season and beginning of Autumn season. These two time duration are important junctions of climate and solar influence. People worship Goddess as symbol of Power/shakti and name it as Amba/Durga.
Women wear nine different colors for nine days. These nine colors have their own significance. In Gujarat, people enjoy this festival by performing Dandiya/Garba for nine nights. In other states also people enjoy in similar manner but Gujarat is famous for that.
Many people go for Fasting for nine days and eat only fruits.
Significance of Navratri:-
During Navratri, we invoke the Power aspect of God in the form of Durga. We celebrate it twice a year on two important seasonal transitions as mentioned above and it is a thought that during these times, Goddess provides energy to Earth and make it able to move round the Sun. During these transitions, weather alos changes and Goddess also provide us energy and power to balance in such weather change. So, we thanks Devi for such Motherly support.
Nine colors of Navratri and their significance
The Nine different colors of navratri are symbols for nine devis as a part of Navdurga.These colors denotes the color of goddess like Goddess Chandraghanta wears orange. All nine days have assigned nine different colors.
Day 1-Yellow colour
This day is also known as Pratipata and on this day, we worship Devi Shailapurtimata. On this day, people choose yellow color dresses to wear.
Day 2- Green color
This day is known as Dwitiya and we worship Devi Bramhacharini. Green color is assigned for this day.
Day 3- Grey color
Devi Chandraghanta is a symbol of peace and serenity got worshiped on this day. People wear grey color on this day.
Day 4- Orange color
Chaturthi, the fourth day of Navratri is for Goddess Kushmunda. She is worshiped as Creator. This is the day for orange color.
Day 5- White color
This day is for Devi Skandamata and people wear white color to please her.
Day 6- Red color
On day sixth, all mothers pray for their children and wear red color in honor of Devi Katiyayani.
Day 7- Blue color
This day is for Mata Kalraatri, who protects us from bad evils. Blue color is assigned for this day.
Day 8- Pink color
Durga Ashtami is for Gauri Puja. Devi Saraswati is worshiped on this day and people wear pink color to impress her.
Day 9- Purple color
This day of the Navratri, Diddhidatri Mata is commemorated. people wear purple to attain 'siddhi' on this holy day.
In the festival of Navratri, the first three days are devoted to Durga, who protects us from bad evils and pure us. The second three days are for lakshi, who gives us spiritual wealth. Last three days, we worship Devi of Wisdom- Devi Saraswati.
Conclusion
Many people have different different opinions about Navratri and it is celebrated in different ways in different regions. The common thing among all is - it is the festival to worship Goddess. People worship all forms of Goddess like the creator, the symbol of wealth etc.
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