Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed across the word in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess, who defeated Mahishasura, a powerful demon who was blessed with immortality by Lord Brahma under a condition that only a woman could defeat him. This festival signifies the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the ultimate victory of ‘good over evil.’ This year the nine-day long festival is being observed from October 15 to October 24, 2023.

The word Navaratri is derived from two Sanskrit words – ‘Nava’ meaning nine and ‘Ratri’ meaning night. Navaratri spans over 9 nights (and ten days), and celebrated twice in a year: first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar) as Chaitra Navaratri, and again in the month of Ashvin (September–October) as Sharad Navaratri. On each day of Navaratri, different avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped: first day: Shailputri, second day: Brahmacharini, third day: Chandraghanta, fourth day: Kushmanda, fifth day: Skandamata, sixth day: Katyayani, seventh day: Kaalratri, eighth day: Mahagauri, ninth day: Siddhidatri. The nine days of Navratri are classified according to these basic qualities. The first three days are dedicated to Durga, the next three to Lakshmi, and the last three to Saraswati. On the tenth day, Durga Ma was victorious and Lord Ram was victorious by killing demon Ravan is celebrated as Vijayadashami/Dusshera/Dasara, signifies the triumph over all these three aspects of life.

How is Navaratri celebrated in various parts of Baharat?

Navratri is celebrated differently in Bharat’s various regions. For many people it is a time of religious reflection and fasting while for others it is a time for dancing and feasting. Fasting customs include observing a strict vegetarian diet and abstaining from alcohol and certain spices, only having milk, water, fruit and nuts during the day, followed by a full meal after sunset. Typically, the festival’s nine nights are dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine power or shakti.

In the eastern and northeastern states of India Navaratri is popularly known as Durga Pooja in Bengal and Assam. The images of Devi Durga are created, worshipped daily with public concerts, recitations, plays, and fairs and on the 10^th day the images are taken in jubilant processions and immersed in a sea or lake. In Gujarat, Garbha dance is performed. In the South, houses are decorated, and toys are displayed.  In southern states, enthusiastic individuals celebrate the victory of Durga or Chamundeshwari with grand Mysuru Dashahara procession along with the display of Dolls on a multi-stage platform and inviting friends to come over and have a look each year. In the north and central Bharat, along with Durga Puja one more popular ritual, Kanya Puja takes place on the eighth or ninth day. On this day, nine young girls are worshipped with the ritual of foot washing and offering of foods and gifts. In Western states especially Gujarat, Ma Durga/Ambe Ma fasting and worshiping, Arati followed by holy Garba and Dandiya dancing are performed.

In the north and central Bharat, Dashahara is also associated with the victory of the Lord Rama over the demon-king Ravana. The Ram Lila (“Play of Rama”) is the highlight of the festival. On each night, young actors dramatize different episodes of the epic, Ramayana and the pageant is always climaxed by the burning of huge effigies of the demon king Ravana.

What is the significance of Navaratri?

1) Seasonal Change and physical rejuvenation: The uniqueness of Hindu festivals is that they are all related to some or the other significant astronomical events or change. Equinoxes (when the day and night are equally as long) and the Solstices (longest and shortest days of the year) mark the transition period between two seasons. The Winter Solstice marks the movement of the sun to the lowest point in the Southern sky. Sharad Navratri (September-October) — marks the beginning of the winter season. This is the time when bacteria thrive and viral infections/diseases are at their peak. At the same time, the body needs time to adjust to the changes in the climate and environment. Navratri is the right time to detoxify and revitalize the body by balancing these three Vata (Gas), Pitta (Bile) and Kapha (Phlegm) humors. The fasting and eating only Satvik foods helps to  control and cleanse the nine openings of the physical body: 2 Chakshu (Eyes), 2 Karna (Ears), 2 Nasika (Nostrils), 1 Vadana (Mouth), 1 for Malotsarjan — Anus & 1 for Mutrotsarjan — Urinary opening.

2) Mental Rejuvenation: Durga is known as the savior of terrorized devotees and religious seekers. By invoking Durga/Kali Ma with prayer, chanting, and meditation during Navratri connect us with our spirit that invokes our positive qualities/energies within us to destroy negatives forces/ monsters within us such as cruel behaviors, lust, greed, anger, jealousy laziness, pride, ego hatred, attachment, obsession, cravings, aversions, inhuman passions. These needs to be annihilated before we achieve success and become spiritual beings to obtain Moksha. Fasting also has psychological benefits that includes strengthening one’s will power, removing emotional blocks, reflecting inwards, having self-control and discipline that helps to rid the mind of its impurities and nurture noble values.

3) Spiritual Rejuvenation: Mental control along with control over physical urges help elevate ones spiritual status. Devi Ma represents the omnipresent cosmic Energy. The whole creation is controlled by her Energy. The prosperity that we enjoy in our daily lives is a manifestation and blessing of Devi Ma. Devi Puja on nine days of Navratri is an expression of our gratitude and showing reverence to her energy that help us to fight against the evil forces, which are prevailing within and around us. After destroying these negative forces, we should be able to move in the positive direction and nurture the inner qualities of love, kindness, compassion, devotion, patience, charity etc. Navratri celebrations provide a nice chance to soak in the chants and meditate effortlessly. Devi Ma helps us to bring a balance in life, makes the impossible, possible and explore the realm beyond time and space. She is that energy which propels our lives and liberates us.  This entire universe, which arose from the cosmic energy of Devi Ma has the unique property of radiating Prana (subtle life force energy) and helps to get consolidated into harmony and peace through divine consciousness. On these ten days and nine night, Mother Divine brings solace, rest, and comfort to our souls and end to all our inner foes that are obstacles on the path of spiritual evolution. Worshiping Devi Ma brings abundance of wisdom, wealth, power, prosperity and liberation.  

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “There is Devi energy (Shakti) within all of us. Devi is not somewhere else, not in some other world. If we sit deep in meditation, the glow within the body will brighten, and will expand and spread outside. This is Devi Puja.”

Vedic scriptures mention that “रात्रि रूपा यतोदेवी, दिवा रूपो महेश्वर”. Meaning that Shiv represents daytime while Shakti represents nighttime. Shiv and Shakti are one; so a day and night represents one complete day. The day is full of activities while our energies are invoked and recharged in the night. Hence, worshippers of the Feminine Primal force always choose the nighttime to worship the Devis--the Goddesses.