Navratri
Navratri
Nine Divine Days
Navratri, which means nine nights, is a devotional and spiritual event. As the name suggests, Navratri takes place over a period of nine days and nights, during which various rites and rituals take place. The festival of Navratri falls four times a year, in line with the change of the seasons. and certain cosmic alignments. The majority of people usually only celebrate the main Navratri, known as Sharana Navratri, which occurs in late September or early October.
The primary significance of Navratri is the worship of the energy known as Shakti, which represents the power of the Divine Feminine represented by the Goddess of power and strength Durga who is worshipped on the first three days. The next three days are dedicated to the Goddess of spiritual and material wealth Lakshmi.
The last three days are in honour of the Goddess of wisdom and learning Saraswati
Garba and Raas dances are the most significant devotional element of Navratri for Gujarat and Gujaratis and they are danced by most women and a substantial number of men. Navratri is a mainly feminine occasion as this was the one occasion during which women could partake in acts of worship, as for many years religious rituals and worship were mainly male preserves
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Mighty Durga
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Devotion
Devotion
The devotion during Navratri has several aspects. During the day there are recitations and chanting of scriptures in praise of the mother goddesses, with garba and raas dances taking place in the night.. Over the course of the festival there are also ceremonies which involve the feeding of young girls and the worship of tools of trade and of books of learning. Many people fast before and during Navratri. There are various festivals of Navratri in different regions of India, each with their own particular elements, rituals and ceremonies.
Vijayadashmi
Vijayadashmi, the day of victory, falls on the tenth day of Navratri and is celebrated in honour of the final victory of the Goddess Durga in her battle with the demon Mahishasur.
Vijayadashmi is also used to commemorate the triumph of Lord Ram over the demon Ravana and on this day many Indian Army regiments venerate and worship their weapons This day is also an auspicious day for students to start the process of learning and books and instruments of learning are worshipped. Vijayadashami is also considered to be an auspicious day for new businesses start ups and other ventures
This Navratri gathering and devotion in dance for the Divine is one of the most magnificent sights in existence A ravishingly radiant wonder of our world
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