What is Navratri and Why is it celebrated?

Navratri is a nine-night celebration of Durga, the Hindu mother goddess.  Navratri comes from the Sanskrit Nava, meaning "nine" and ratri, meaning "nights." The festival is also called SharadaNavratri or MahaNavratri, meaning "great Navratri."

There are four Navratri celebrations throughout the year. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called SharadaNavratri. SharadaNavratri is the largest and is, therefore, known simply as Navratri. That is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi Durga. Devi Durga represents Shakti, or female divine energy and purity. It is believed that Durga fought a nine-day battle against the demons (like Raktbeej, SumbhNisumbh, Mahisasuretc), at the end of which she was victorious, this symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Navaratri Durga Puja is celebrated as  Durga Puja in the eastern states of India, wherein goddess Devi Durga battles and emerges victorious over Mahisasur which symbolizes the Victory of good over evil. On the other hand in the Northern and Western parts of India, the festival of Navratri is synonymous with "Rama Lila" and "Dussehra" which is also celebrated as the victory of god Ram over Ravana. In southern states, the victory of different goddesses, of Rama or Saraswati is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legends such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.

Navratri ceremonies include colorful clothing, dancing, fasting and rituals. In the yogic tradition, the holiday is a time for spiritual practices, meditation, and discipline, honoring the Divine. During the Navratri statues of Devi Durga are placed in beautiful stages called Pandals. On the 10th day, which is called “Vijayadashami” or “Dussehra”, the statues are immersed in the water body such as river, pond or in the sea. In the evening the statue of Ravana, Kumbhakaran, and Meghnath, symbolizing the evil are burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. This also starts the preparation for Diwali, the festival of lights.

SharadNavaratri begins on the first new moon in early autumn – usually late September or early October in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin. SharadNavaratri 2018 in India began on Wednesday, 10th October and ends on Thursday, 18th October. During Navratri, the goddess Durga is honored in her nine forms. Each day is associated with an incarnation of the goddess;

•             Day 1: Shailaputri

•             Day 2: Brahmcharini

•             Day 3: Chandraghanta

•             Day 4: Kushmunda

•             Day 5: Skandmata

•             Day 6: Katyayani

•             Day 7: Kalratri

•             Day 8: Mahagauri

•             Day 9: Sidhidatri

Performing Durga Saptashati Yagya during Navratri gives very beneficial results as per astrology.

 

#Navratri Day 1 10th October 2018: Devi Shailputri

The first day of Navratri is called Pratipada and people worship Goddess Shailputri, also known as Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, on this day. ‘Shail’ means mountains and ‘putri’ means daughter. #SHAILPUTRI: She is the embodiment of the collective power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. It is in this form that the goddess was worshiped as the consort of Shiva. The color of the first day is red--it depicts action and vigor.

Mantra – ॐदेवीशैलपुत्र्यैनमः॥ Om Devi ShailaputryaiNamah.

•             Om Devi ShailaputryaiNamah, (108 times recitation suggested)

•             MaaShailputri Mantra:

वन्देवाञ्छितलाभायचन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।

वृषारुढांशूलधरांशैलपुत्रींयशस्विनीम्॥

VandeVanchhitalabhaychandrardhakritshekharam

VrisharudhamShooldharamShailputreemYashasvineem

•             MaaShailputriStuti:

यादेवीसर्वभूतेषुमाँशैलपुत्रीरूपेणसंस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यैनमस्तस्यैनमस्तस्यैनमोनमः॥

Ya Devi SarvabhuteshuMaaShailaputriRupenaSamsthita

NamastasyaiNamastasyaiNamastasyaiNamoNamah