Navratri

Navratri is the sacred festival dedicated to the worship of the nine divine forms (Navadurga) of Mother Durga. It symbolizes feminine power (Shakti) and the eternal victory of good over evil. "Nav" means nine and "Ratri" means night — together representing nine nights of devotion to the Goddess. This festival occurs four times a year — in Chaitra, Ashadh, Ashwin, and Magh months — but the Chaitra and Shardiya Navratris are the most prominent and widely celebrated.

According to the Hindu calendar, two major Navratris are celebrated each year, each carrying its own spiritual and cultural significance. While both honor the nine forms of Maa Durga, the mythological stories and traditions behind them differ.

During the nine days of Navratri, nine different forms of Maa Durga are worshipped, with each day dedicated to a specific manifestation of the divine feminine.

For nine days, devotees observe fasts, light the Akhand Jyoti (eternal flame), and offer worship to Maa Durga. The festival begins with Ghatasthapana — a sacred kalash filled with water is established, and barley seeds are sown in clay, which sprout green over the nine days. Gujarat hosts grand Garba-Dandiya Raas events, Bengal sets up magnificent Durga Puja pandals, and across the country Ramlila plays are performed. On Ashtami-Navami, the sacred tradition of Kanya Pujan is observed.

According to the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) of the Markandeya Purana, there was once a powerful demon named Mahishasura who had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that no man could ever kill him. Empowered by this, he wreaked havoc upon the three worlds and tormented the gods. The combined energies of all the gods then gave rise to Maa Durga. She battled Mahishasura for nine days and slew him on the tenth day. Since then, the nine days are celebrated as Navratri, and the tenth as Vijayadashami — the day of victory.

Another famous legend connected with Shardiya Navratri is of Lord Shri Rama. When Ravana abducted Sita, Lord Rama worshipped Maa Durga at the seashore for nine days before launching his attack on Lanka. On the tenth day, with the Mother's blessings, he slew Ravana. This is why the day after Shardiya Navratri is celebrated as "Vijayadashami" or "Dussehra" — the day of righteous victory.

The legend connected with Chaitra Navratri is that Lord Shri Rama was born on the ninth day of this sacred Navratri in Ayodhya, in the home of King Dasharatha and Mother Kausalya. This is why Chaitra Navratri concludes with Ram Navami — the birth celebration of Lord Rama.

On the Ashtami or Navami of Navratri, the sacred tradition of Kanya Pujan (Kanjak) is observed. Nine young girls (aged 2 to 10) are worshipped as the embodiments of the nine forms of Maa Durga. A young boy is also included, representing Bhairav Baba. Their feet are washed, tilak is applied, and they are served a traditional meal of halwa, poori, and chana. Finally, they are offered dakshina (sacred gifts) and bid farewell with reverence. This tradition is a beautiful symbol of honoring feminine divinity and respect for young girls.