Navratri

 Navratris

              

A festival which is completely devoted to the goddess of power. The name NAVRATRIS is derived from Sanskrit language which means NINE NIGHTS. According to Hindu beliefs, navratri comes 4 times a year.

1.    Sharada Navratri: this is the most celebrated amongst the four. The word sharada defines the season of autumn in Hindu Calendar which comes in September-October.

2.  Vasanta/Chaitri Navratri: Vasanta means Spring, the second most popular after Sharada Navratri. It falls in the month of February-March.

3.    Magha Navratri: it comes in Winters in the month of January – February.

4.    Ashada Navratri: It falls in the month of June- July and is generally referred as a start of the monsoon season.

Navartri Pandal

The Navratris of autumn month is most celebrated. The goddess Durga is worshipped in Sharada Navratri. On the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, Ramnavmi is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri.  On the fifth day of Magha Navratri Basant, Panchmi celebrated, which officially starts the spring season according to Hindu calendar.

The festival of Navratri is celebrated all over India, the way of celebration varies with region and different beliefs. Along with the Mother Goddess(Shakti), her different aspects and Lord Rama is also revered regionally.

Women in traditional dress performing Durga Puja in west bengal

A.   East India: In the eastern part of India, it is popularly known as Durga Puja. Durga Puja is the biggest festival celebrated here. The air is filled with energy, large size idols of Goddess Durga is decorated in the pandals. The fragrance of the incense sticks and sound of drums fill the air with freshness, energy and purity. The Durga Puja of West Bengal is very famous.                                                                  

Dusshera Celebration

B.    North India: During Navratris the epic story of Lord Rama is marked,this event is known as Ramlila. On the tenth day after Navratri Dusshera is celebrated which symbolizes the victory of good (Lord Rama) over the evil (Ravana). This festival is celebrated with full enthusiasm in the Royal dynasty of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.  Along with this, the different aspects of Goddess Durga is worshiped. Devotes fast to please the goddess and on ashtmi( 8^th day) or Navmi(9^th day), they worship 9 little girl child and a boy. Some devotes also organise jagrans all night vigils, songs and dance in honour of deity and Puja.

Celebrations in Goa and Mysore

  C.    South India: In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the festival of Navratri is popular as Kolu and Batukamma Pandunga respectively. Here the Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi, and Goddess Saraswati are worshipped for nine days.  In Kolu festival, 9 staircases is decorated with 9 sculpture of different Gods and Goddesses representing 9 nights. The Idol of Durga is worshipped for 9 days and is set afloat in the river or lake on the 10^th day. The temples and houses are decorated with different flowers and colorful rangolis.

Batukama Padunga ,(Andhra Pradesh) and Kolu (Tamil Nadu) festival Decorations

D.  West India: like other parts of India, here also Navratri is celebrated with a great pomp and glitter.  Devotees fast for 9 days and worship the goddess in the evening by lighting flame inside the earthen pots with holes.  Later in the evening people wears traditional dresses and perform Garba and Dandiya dance.

Women Performing Garba