India, the home of unparalleled cultural richness, glitters in joy to celebrate its most anticipated festive seasons, its deeply ingrained customs and spirituality. Each of the country’s festivals are a rich blend of its celebrated traditions, faiths and community spirit that reflects the country's unity in diversity. From the colourful festival of Holi to Diwali - the festival of lights, these festive celebrations honour not only our religious sentiments and beliefs but also life, love, and happiness. Among these is the festival of Navratri.
Navratri is an important Hindu festival that is observed with significant devotional fervor in various parts of India and Indian diaspora all over the globe. The word 'Navratri' has been derived from the Sanskrit word 'nava,' meaning nine and 'ratri' or night, thereby describing it as "nine nights."
The Spiritual Significance of Navratri
Navratri honours the nine avatars of the goddess Durga - the “Navadurga”. Each day of the festival, starting from the first till the ninth, celebrates each of the avatars of Maa Durga individually. It celebrates feminine strength and embraces the goddess as the source of life, fertility, and creation.
The Story behind Navratri is based on the battle between Goddess - Maa Durga and the demon Mahishasura, who symbolizes evil. Mahishasura had been granted a boon wherein he became almost unbreakable and only a woman was destined to defeat him. After all these earthly, heavenly, and nether regions were wiped out, the gods, led by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva joined their forces to create Maa Durga, who battled Mahishasura for 10 whole days and finally slew him on the last day, which we today celebrate it as the Vijayadashami. On this occasion, devotees are reminded that good will win over evil and that righteousness and purity will triumph.
1.Significance of Navratri in Gujarat:
In Gujarat, Navratri is synonymous with the festivities of Garba and Dandiya Raas— the traditional folk dances of the Gujaratis, performed every night of the 9 days of Navratri, wearing vibrant dresses, also known as Chania Cholis and adorning themselves in jewelleries like Gold-Plated Silver earrings to oxidised silver rings. Thousands of people gather in public places to dance garba and celebrate Navratri together, making it one of the most famous festivals all over India.
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2.Significance of Navratri In West Bengal and North-East India
Navrati here is celebrated as Durga Puja. This festival almost starts with Mahalaya, the day when Maa Durga is believed to make her journey to the earth in West Bengal and NE India. However, the celebration of Durga Puja, where grand idols of Maa Durga are decorated in well-designed pandals, starts during Maha Shaptami, Ashtami and Navami. These celebrations end on the 10th day also known as Dashami with the immersion of the idols of Maa Durga into the rivers/ water bodies, wherein the goddess returns to her heavenly abode.
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3.Significance of Navratri In North India
In North India, during the Navratri season, people fast for the nine nights and organize Ramlila in their localities, which are performances depicting the life of Lord Rama and his victory over Lanka’s Ravana, ending the Ramlila by burning the effigies of Ravana to symbolize the triumph of good over bad, also celebrated a Dussehra.
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4.Significance of Navratri In South India
In Southern India, Navartri is celebrated by the display of “Golu”, a series of steps topped with figures of dolls representing gods, goddesses, and other figures. People celebrate this festival to honour knowledge and the arts, with most families dedicating special prayers to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom.
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Social and Personal Significance of Navratri
Many people fast, prevent themselves from eating certain foods, and engage in religious activities such as meditation and prayer during this period. Such acts are intended to purify both the body and the mind, preparing a person for new and pleasant beginnings and progress. People remind each other of detoxing, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well, cleansed of mundane and negative thoughts, behaviours, and habits. This is because Navratri inspires people to look for their own changes for the betterment of life and bring balance into the lives of all by making them introspect and reflect the divine energy existing within themselves.
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It is the religious festival where, apart from religious rituals, every generation takes spiritual, cultural, and personal lessons. It celebrates the divine feminine, good triumphing over evil, the farthest reach of human potential, and light over darkness. It binds together humans by regions and reminds them of the power of faith and self-discipline and the eternal victory of light over darkness through devotion, dance, fasting, and prayer.
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