The significance of the festival of Navratri needs no introduction right? Every year, every Hindu waits for these 9 pure and pious days where the Goddess Durga and her other various forms are worshipped on a great scale. Goddess Durga and her other forms are considered to be very powerful and can bring anything to life when desired. The historical background of this auspicious festival is that it was these 9 goddesses that were successful in defeating the dangerous demon, Mahishasura, which the other superpowers failed to do. Mahishashura was blessed by Lord Brahma that he would be immortal until and unless he is defeated by a woman.
These 9 days are celebrated with various different cultures, rituals, and customers throughout India. So, if you wish to brush up your knowledge about the festival of Navratri, keep on reading the article as we bring you 9 facts about the auspicious festivity of Hinduism.
- The meaning of Navratri in Sanskrit simply means, 9 days. If you break the word Navratri, Nava means 9 and Ratri means 9.
- This festival of Hindus is celebrated a total number of 5 times in India and each time, this festival is celebrated in the time span of 9 days. The months where this holistic festivity falls are March/April, June/July, September/October, December/January and January/February.
- The celebration of Navratri is also a way of celebrating spring and autumn.
- This festivity is basically the celebration or appreciation of feminine power or in other words,”celebration of Shakti.”
- The festivity is then followed by Dussehra mostly on the 10th day. The celebration of Dussehra is the celebration of the triumph of Lord Rama over demon king Ravana of Lanka.
- In India, it is the festival of Diwali that we collectively celebrate after 20 days of Navratri. Diwali is celebrated as on this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after winning his battle with Ravana and brought Sita Mata home.
- The nine forms of shakti that are widely worshipped in India are Amba, Annapoorna Devi, Durga, Bhadrakali, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Bhavani, Chandika, Lalita, and Mookambika.
- In the Indian states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, the extravagant Garba celebration for 9 days throughout Navratri has major popularity in India.
- West Bengal holds its share of significance and importance of this festivity. A widely known and prestigious “Durga pooja” is held in West Bengal during this period of Navratri. The depiction of Goddess Durga cutting open Buffalo Demon Mahishasura, is displayed everywhere in the city and temples. These idols are then worshipped for 5 continuous days and it is on the 5th day that these idols are submerged into the water. Durga pooja is the biggest and most celebrated festival of Bengal.
So, these were 9 facts about Navtrai days that every Hindu must be aware of. Celebrate these 9 days not only to woo the Goddess but to get inspired by them and seek their blessing and attributes from their personalities.
