Navratri 2024:
Navratri, the nine-day beautiful festival is all about the devotion and adoration of the grandeur of Goddess Durga. Worshippers pay their respects to the goddess Durga, as well as her nine incarnations, known as Navadurgas. The Shardiya Navratri is notably referred to as the Maha Navratri. Fasting and praying dedicated to the goddess are done for nine days, and on the tenth day, people perform Navratri Kanya Pujan. On these days, believers have the impression that the supreme goddess is in a position to respond to prayer requests. This festival symbolizes an epochal show of belief, culture and heritage in India.
How to Celebrate Navratri
The Hindu celebration of Navaratri includes nine days of festivities dedicated to the divine figure of the goddess Durga and all her forms. This year the festival is planned to occur from 4th to 13th of October of the year of 2024. Some parts of India celebrate the victory of goddess Durga and her nine wooden forms during this festival, however other sections of the country celebrate Rama, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu during Navratri. There are nine days in the festival but the last and most important day is Dussehra which symbolizes victory of good over evil. Some of the celebrations seen during Navaratri include traditional musical and dancing activity, acts such as rituals and singing of devotional songs.
Stories behind Navratri
The Bhagwat Puran and the Markandey Puran describe the origins of this festival. Both contain variants of the Navratri story.
The story from Devi Bhagwat Puran:
Devi Bhagvat Puran states that on the eighth day of the waning moon of Ashwin month, during the Ramayana war, Lord Brahma awakened Durga, the sleeping mother goddess. Durga gave instructions on how to worship her for nine days during Navratri, and Lord Rama followed those instructions during Maha Navratri. On the ninth day, which was Vijaya Dashmi or Dussehra, he killed Ravana.
The story from Markandey Puran
It narrates the story of Mahishasura, the demon king who got protection from death by worshiping Brahma. He soon began to suffer the innocent people, and the gods turned to help from Shiva. In the fight that ensued in a bid to overthrow Mahisasura, three deities known as the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva created ‘Adishakti’ Durga – a warrior Goddess.. The demon king proposed marriage to her after getting obsessed with her beauty. The goddess agreed to it, but only under the stringent condition that Mahisasura win the fight against her. The ever-proud Mahisasura consented, and nine nights of war began (hence the name Navratri). Mahisasur Mardini is the name derived from the beheading of Mahishasura by Adishakti Durga at the end of the ninth night. Navratri honors these victories of good over evil, as well as the story of how the “Shakti ” overcame an arrogant monster that had the gods of all three Lokas in a state of fear.
The Significance of Fasting
Those who observe the fast refrain from eating particular foods and engaging in certain activities. Fasting is considered to cleanse the body and the mind during this joyous time, enabling followers to focus their energies on spiritual activities and establish a spiritual connection with God. People can cleanse their bodies and gain self-discipline by giving up particular foods.
Rules for fasting:
1. Avoid Non-Vegetarian Foods:
Devotees refrain from the consumption of meats, sea foods, and products derived from eggs.
2. Avoid Eating Garlic and Onions:
There is a rule of not eating onions and garlic especially when in the state of fasting. They also exclude some grains, pulses and vegetables such as rice, oat, wheat, maize, flour, kidney beans, dhal, chickpeas, brinjal, okra’s and mushroom. They prefer its alternatives including, sendha namak, buckwheat flour, singhara atta, and samak rice.
3. Consume Dairy Products, Nuts, and Fruits:
People will take fruits, dried fruits, and dairy products as sustenance during Navratri fasts to remain healthy. These are fine meals that fulfill the body necessities for the day in terms of nutrition and energy intake.
4. Stay Hydrated
It is very important to stay hydrated during the fasting period. They take some herbal teas and natural fruit juices in the course of the day and also drink water.
5. Do Not Cut Your Hair or Trim Your Nails:
Some of the common beliefs followed by a number of deities are that one must not cut nails or shave during Navratri because these activities bring bad energies.
6. Avoid consuming alcohol:
Devotees avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco during this time of spiritual celebration.
The Nine Colors of Navratri & Their Significance
People celebrate the festival with great dedication and prayer for nine nights. Each day is devoted to a single Durga avatar, requiring devotees to wear the appropriate colors. Consequently, each day of Navratri is linked with a distinct color.
Day 1: Orange for Maa Shailputri
Shailaputra Pooja and the bright and brilliant color orange ,mark the beginning of Navratri.Maa Shailputri is worshiped on 3 rd October 2024 symbolized with two hands and a crescent moon on her forehead. Ghatasthapana is the first day’s puja or worship and it commences the nine day festival and the prayer to Goddess Durga.Performing Ghatasthapana in the early morning hours when Pratipada is strong is considered auspicious.
Day 2: White for Maa Brahmacharini Devi
On the second day of Navratri, devotees honor Goddess Brahmacharini by wearing white, a color symbolizing knowledge, loyalty, harmony, serenity, and purity.
Day 3: Red for Maa Chandraghanta
People wear red on this day to represent courage, beauty, and fearlessness. Devotees honor Goddess Chandraghanta to seek protection from grief, sin, and other mental hardships.
Day 4: Royal Blue for Maa Kushmanda
People wear royal blue color which is believed to be an embodiment of wealth and good health to worship Goddess Kushmanda. It is thought that she brings over health to Mother Nature.
Day 5: Yellow for Maa Skandamata
Yellow, which is a symbol of joy and brightness, Skandamata Mata is worshiped by the devotees. Believed to be the mother of Lord Kartikeya or Skanda, she is a symbol of spiritual power that can cleanse one’s soul.
Day 6: Green for Maa Katyayani
Women worshippers observe fasting and also wear green clothes due to the deity Katyayani being associated with the color as a symbol of development. Maa Katyayani is known for her bravery.
Day 7: Grey for Maa Kaalratri
Goddess Kalaratri is worshiped with devotion by wearing gray color thus symbolizing the transformation. It is said that she removes all evil spirits and demons.
Day 8: Purple for Maa Mahagauri
On the day of the worshiping Goddess Mahagauri, Her devotees prefer to wear the color purple which stands for harmony and tranquility. It is said that she fulfills everyone’s wishes who visits her temple.
Day 9: Peacock Green for Maa Siddhidatri
On the Navami which is the ninth day of Navratri, people adorn green color dress as Goddess Siddhidatri is worshiped on this day. An important meaning for the color is the concept of wisdom and harmonization.
Finally, devotees celebrate Dussehra on the tenth day, which symbolizes victory or the triumph of good over evil, like the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. However, in most parts of India Dussehra also marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
