'Nav' means 'nine'
and 'Ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means
'nine nights'. Navratri is one of the most popular and widely celebrated
festivals of Northern India. The first three days of navratri are
dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and
mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth
and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally,
the last three to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) dressed
in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan.
All over world Hindus celebrate Navratras with great devotion.
Navratras are celebrated twice in a year. Once in the period of
Shukla Paksha of the lunar month of Ashwani corresponding to September/October)
and the second Navratras are celebrated during period of Shukla
Paksha of the lunar month of Chaitra corresponding to mid-March
to mid-April.
This Festival holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis.
Feasting and fasting is practiced during the nine days of Navratri
by the Hindus and religious dances are presented in the evenings
in order to worship Goddess Durga. In Bengal, people worship idols
of the Goddess Durga while performing devotional songs and dances
and finally take out grand processions on the tenth day when the
idols are immersed in water. Here, this festival is known as Durga
Puja. Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival
in Gujarat. Children and adults get dressed up in their new bright-colored
dresses for the night performances. This year celebrate Navratra
from April 7th, 2008. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one of
the nine manifestations of the Divine Goddess
First to Third day of Navratri
These days are dedicated to the Goddess of power and energy, The
Goddess Durga and her different forms like Kumari, Parvati and Kali.
A small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room on the first day
of the Navaratras and barley seeds are sown into it. On the tenth
day, shoots about 3 - 5 inches in length grows from the mud bed.
After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees
as a blessing from God.
Fourth to Sixth Day of Navratri
The fourth to the sixth day of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi,
the Goddess of peace and prosperity. On the fifth day of navratri,
people gather and display all literature available in the house
and light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Goddess Saraswati. The fifth
day of the Navratri is popularly known as the Lalita Panchami.
The Seventh and Eighth Day of Navratri
These two days are dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge; The Goddess
Saraswati. On the eighth day of navratri, a holy fire (yagna) is
performed and Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and
sesame seeds are offered to Goddess Durga.
Ramnavami - the Ninth Day
People worship pre-pubescent young girls known as 'kanyas' on this
day. Nine young girls representing the nine different forms of Goddess
Durga are worshiped on this day of kanya puja. Devotees wash the
feet of these girls as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then
offer them new clothes as gifts
Ram Navami is one of the most important festivals of the Vaishnav
sect of Hindus and in some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival
known as Navratri. Ramnavami is dedicated to the Lord Rama. It occurs
on the ninth day (navami). The festival celebrates the birth of
Rama. Ramrajya (the reign of Rama) is known for its peace and prosperity.
The seventh reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama was born on
the ninth day of the Hindu month Chaitra and that is why this day
is called Ram Navami.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NAVARATRI
The festival Navaratri leads to the spiritual growth of a person.
It provides the person with an inner strength to fight against all
evils and the courage to fight for the weaker section of the society.
Thus, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of The Goddess
Durga, the Goddess of power and energy. The second requirement of
spiritual growth is to fulfill one's needs, respect the guests and
help the poor. For this one needs wealth and therefore the next
three days of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi,
The Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Learning and knowledge are
the last requirement to the spiritual growth. Finally, Goddess Saraswati
is worshipped so that she blesses her devotees with power of knowledge
and helps them to attain spiritual enlightenment.
NAVARATRI CELEBRATIONS IN INDIA
Durga Puja in Bengal
In West Bengal, Durga Puja is five days of festivity. Navaratri
is celebrated as Durga Puja in Bengal where huge idols of the Goddess
Durga are worshipped and finally immersed in water. People from
Bengal, Bihar and Orissa offer a number of 'saris', flowers, fruits
and 'jewelry' to the Goddess on this festival. Music and dance performances
are arranged. People buy new clothes, jewellery and sweets. On the
tenth day, idols are taken for immersion into rivers, lakes or seas.
In the nine days of Durga Pooja festival the image of the ten headed
goddess riding on her lion is worshipped with great passion.
Durga Pooja is celebrated twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra
(April-May) and then in month of Ashwin (September-October). On
both the occasions, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped
and therefore Durga Puja is also called Durga Navratri (nine nights).During
navratras, thousands of devotees visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple
in Kolkota, West Bengal.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Goddess Durga is worshipped for nine days of Navratri
while Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the tenth day. On this
day, school-going children worship the tantrik symbol of the goddess
for her blessing in their studies and it is considered auspicious
day to begin any new thing. Puja is performed each day and devotees
don't remove the flower garland that is put each day on the idol
or image of the deity. In Mumbai, people visit various temples including
the Ayyappa Temple at Goregaon.
Gujarat
Navratri in Gujarat holds a special importance where men and women
of all sects perform the Rasa and Garba dances to please the Goddess.
Amba Mata Temple at Junagarh, Gujarat is a favorite pilgrim for
devotees during navratras. Here, painted earthen pots are used to
represent the Goddess and Garba dances are performed by the Gujarati
women around those pots in circles. These pots are valued as the
abode of the Goddess. The Rasa has its origin in the life scenes
of Lord Krishna and is associated with the agricultural rites while
the Garba is performed only by men and is related with the agricultural
fertility. Navratris are considered auspicious for buying jewellery
and gold.
Kashmir
The Hindu minorities of Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Navratri. All
the adult members of the household fast for nine days on water and
fruits may be eaten in the evening. There is a ritual of visiting
the temple of the guardian goddess Kheer Bhawani Temple on all nine
days. On the last day of Navratri, an aarti is held at the temple
after which people break their fast. Thousands of pilgrims start
their trek to the mountain cave of the Vaishno Devi Temple during
navratra.
Kerala
In Kerala, Durga Puja signifies the beginning of formal education
for every child aged 3-5 years. On Ashtami, there is a custom to
not to use the tools and worship them. On navami, Goddess Saraswati
is honored by worshiping the books and records at home. Thousands
of pilgrims visit the Saraswati temple at Kottayam during this period
to take a dip in the mysterious holy pond. Large gatherings are
also seen at the famous temples at Thekkegram (Palghat).
Mysore
Chamundi, the royal deity of the Mysore is worshipped durng Navratri.
A magnificent procession of elephants, horses, chariots and costumed
attendants is arranged on the tenth day, when Maharaja goes to worship
the hilltop temple of the goddess. Chamundeswari Temple of Chamundi
Hill, Mysore is an essential pilgrim during navratras.
Tamil Nadu
Here the first three days are dedicated to the worship of the Goddess
Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The next three days to
Goddess Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts and the last three
days to Goddess Durga. There is a custom to visit Bhagavathi Temple
in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu during Navratras.
Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
Women arrange a special placing of dolls in various costumes decorated
with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps known as
'Bommai Kolu'. Nine young kanyas (virgins) are offered new clothes
and sweets and married women share flowers, kumkum and snacks among
themselves. Devotees visit a number of temples in Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka. Some of them are –
Devi Kanaka Durga, Vijay Wada, Andhra Pradesh
Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel, Karnataka.
Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh
Annapoorneshwari Temple of Horanadu, Karnataka
Marikamba Temple of Sirsi, Karnataka
Vidyashankara Temple at Sringere, Karnataka
Mookambika Devi Temple of Kollur, Karnataka
Banashankari Temple near Badami, Karnataka
Punjab
Some Punjabis have milk, fruits for seven days before breaking the
fast on ashtami or navami. They worship and offer prayers to Goddess
Durga during navratri. Durgiana Temple in Amritsar, Punjab is a
religious place to visit during navratri.
TEMPLES OF GODDESS DURGA IN INDIA VISITED DURING NAVRATRAS
During this period, most of the Hindus go to various temples for
offering their prayers and participate in rituals, customs and various
other activities, performed in the temples. There are innumerable
temples throughout India where are dedicated to Goddess Durga and
some of them are illustrated below –
Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal
Mangalagauri Temple, Gaya, Bihar
The Durga Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Devi Kanaka Durga, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel, Karnataka.
Bhadra Kali, Nepal
Chandi Devi, Haridwar, UP
Bhagavathi Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Devi Patan Temple
Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh
Annapoorneshwari Temple of Horanadu, Karnataka
Marikamba Temple of Sirsi, Karnataka
Banashankari Temple near Badami, Karnataka
Vidyashankara Temple at Sringere, Karnataka
Chamundeswari Temple of Chamundi Hill, Mysore
Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir
Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam
Mansa Devi Temple, Churu, Rajasthan
Chamunda Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Kalkaji Mandir, Delhi
Durgiana Temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Amba Mata Temple, Junagadh, Gujarat
Chattarpur Temples, Delhi
Jwalamukhi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Naina Devi Temple, Nainital, Uttar Pradesh.
Mookambika Devi Temple of Kollur, Karnataka
If unable to visit these temples during navratras, you can still
offer your prayers online through our website. Send
My Prayer
Article Contributed by Swati Sharma
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