On the occasion of Navratri, we got together to venerate the forms of the goddess in our little girls. During the veneration ceremony, the girls asked us the meaning and significance of this festival. While there is a lot of information already available on this topic, I thought of sharing it one more time.
Navratri is a festival celebrated for nine nights worshipping the Shakti or goddess Durga in different forms. Navratri festival is celebrated in many different forms all across India with basic belief of worshipping the primal energy – Shakti being the same. Of all the many stories around the festival, there two most prominent ones are as follows –
During the Ramayana war, Sri Rama would cut Ravana’s head or limbs multiple times. However, Ravana’s head and libs would grow immediately causing despair to Sri Rama. It was said that Ravana had amrit or the nectar of life in his heart. At the same time, Ravana also had thoughts of Sita in his heart and hence Rama couldn’t aim at his heart. Narada then suggested Sri Rama to observe a nine day fast to invoke the Shakti to help Ravana forget Sita and hence could be killed.
In another prominent tale, all the Gods and Godesses joined their forces together to give the form to the primal energy in form of Sri Durga. Goddess Durga then went on to kill the demon Mahishasur after a nine day battle and hence is known as Mahishasur Mardini.
However, an interesting thing to note is that Navratri is celebrated twice in the year. While both the stories relate to the events that happen around Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi. Actually, Navratri as per the Hindu calendar comes five times in a year, but is prominent only twice!
In the Markandeya purana, goddess Durga told that she would return every time there is an excess of demonic, cruel and Tamasik forces on the earth, impeding the good deeds of righteous humans. Another verse in the puranas describe an Asura as someone who remains engrossed in enjoying the life and indulgence of pleasure of objects. Looking in ourselves, such an asur or rather Mahishasur lives in each of our hearts. Only some of us who can disassociate from the worldly attachments, can look towards spiritual attainment. This also explains the various types of fast observed by people during Navratri. Almost everyone tries to abdicate something from their daily life for this duration.
Understanding the return of the goddess is also helpful in understanding the fact that Navratri actually occurs five times a year! Though only two of these are the most popular. The various Navratri are as follows –
1. Vasanta Navratri – In the month of Chaitra (March / April) culminates in Rama Navmi
2. Gupta Navratri – In the month of Ashadha (June / July)
3. Sharad Navratri – In the month of Ashvin (September / October) – also known as Maha Navratri
4. Paush Navratri – In the month of Paush (December / January)
5. Magha Navratri – in the month of Magha (January / February) – similar to Gupta Navratri
Although the Maha Navratri is celebrated by worshipping three main goddesses and their forms on the nine nights – Durga on first three nights, Lakshmi on the second three days and Saraswati on the final three days. However, on each of the nine nights, different form of Shakti is worshipped –
While consolidating this information, I learned much more. But what really struck me was the resident Mahishasura in us and the importance of Navratri to kill the asura as the true devotion to the primal energy – the Goddesss Shakti.
Navratri is a festival celebrated for nine nights worshipping the Shakti or goddess Durga in different forms. Navratri festival is celebrated in many different forms all across India with basic belief of worshipping the primal energy – Shakti being the same. Of all the many stories around the festival, there two most prominent ones are as follows –
During the Ramayana war, Sri Rama would cut Ravana’s head or limbs multiple times. However, Ravana’s head and libs would grow immediately causing despair to Sri Rama. It was said that Ravana had amrit or the nectar of life in his heart. At the same time, Ravana also had thoughts of Sita in his heart and hence Rama couldn’t aim at his heart. Narada then suggested Sri Rama to observe a nine day fast to invoke the Shakti to help Ravana forget Sita and hence could be killed.
In another prominent tale, all the Gods and Godesses joined their forces together to give the form to the primal energy in form of Sri Durga. Goddess Durga then went on to kill the demon Mahishasur after a nine day battle and hence is known as Mahishasur Mardini.
However, an interesting thing to note is that Navratri is celebrated twice in the year. While both the stories relate to the events that happen around Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi. Actually, Navratri as per the Hindu calendar comes five times in a year, but is prominent only twice!
In the Markandeya purana, goddess Durga told that she would return every time there is an excess of demonic, cruel and Tamasik forces on the earth, impeding the good deeds of righteous humans. Another verse in the puranas describe an Asura as someone who remains engrossed in enjoying the life and indulgence of pleasure of objects. Looking in ourselves, such an asur or rather Mahishasur lives in each of our hearts. Only some of us who can disassociate from the worldly attachments, can look towards spiritual attainment. This also explains the various types of fast observed by people during Navratri. Almost everyone tries to abdicate something from their daily life for this duration.
Understanding the return of the goddess is also helpful in understanding the fact that Navratri actually occurs five times a year! Though only two of these are the most popular. The various Navratri are as follows –
1. Vasanta Navratri – In the month of Chaitra (March / April) culminates in Rama Navmi
2. Gupta Navratri – In the month of Ashadha (June / July)
3. Sharad Navratri – In the month of Ashvin (September / October) – also known as Maha Navratri
4. Paush Navratri – In the month of Paush (December / January)
5. Magha Navratri – in the month of Magha (January / February) – similar to Gupta Navratri
Although the Maha Navratri is celebrated by worshipping three main goddesses and their forms on the nine nights – Durga on first three nights, Lakshmi on the second three days and Saraswati on the final three days. However, on each of the nine nights, different form of Shakti is worshipped –
| Day | Goddess | Meaning | Symbolism | Science |
| 1 | Shailputri | Daughter of the mountains or Parvati | Embodiment of powers of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu She rides a bull, carries a trident and a lotus in her hands | |
| 2 | Brahmcharni | One who practices devout austerity | Embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace She carries a rosary and a water utensil and endows bliss and prosperity | |
| 3 | Chandraghanta | Has a half moon in her forehead in shape of a ghanta | Brings tranquility and prosperity She rides a lion, has ten hands, three eyes and holds weaons in her hands. | |
| 4 | Kushmanda | Creator of the universe; Kushmanda = Ku(a little) + ushma (warmth) + anda( a cosmic egg) | She rides a lion, holding rosary, weapons and glitter etc in her hands She is depicted as rays of light emanating from her | |
| 5 | Skandamata | The mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya | She is depicted as seated on a lotus. She has four arms and three eyes and holds infant skanda in right upper arm | The universe has highest amount of smell radiation on this night referred to as “Lalita” in Sanskrit. Veneration during this time, attracts the waves towards the place of worship. |
| 6 | Katyayani | Second name for Parvati Daughter of Sage Katyayan | Associated with the fierce forms of Shakti or Durga – closer to Chandika and Bhadrakali | |
| 7 | Kaalratri | One who is the death of Kaal | Fiercest form of Shakti She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. She rides a donkey This form primarily depicts that life also has a dark side – the violence of Mother Nature, creating havoc and removing all dirt. | |
| 8 | Mahagauri | Another name for Parvati | She wears white clothes and rides a white bull She holds a trident and a damru | On this night, wind is blown into a sundried earthen pitcher. Drying a pitcher in the sun helps water to evaporate. Also the air trapped in the mall pores entails high entropy in the air particles within the pitcher. While blowing any more air, already energized particles come out with a loud sound. Also on this night, the universe is fested with growing deadly radiation from Goddess Durga. These are red in color. To hold the effect of such radiation, an effigy of goddess is kept draped in a red saree. The effigy’s face is made from rice flour as rice has the capacity to absorb good as well as bad. |
| 9 | Siddhiratri | One who has supernatural healing powers | Shiva worshipped her to gain Siddhis Through her boon, he became Ardhanarishwara or a complete being | Throughout the Navratri, devotees observe fast and stay up all night worshipping the goddess. Controlling ones desires produces energy which can be used constructively for both health and wealth gains. |
While consolidating this information, I learned much more. But what really struck me was the resident Mahishasura in us and the importance of Navratri to kill the asura as the true devotion to the primal energy – the Goddesss Shakti.
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