Why is Navratri celebrated?
Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated all over the world. This is also one of the oldest events, stretching back to immemorial times. Every year, a nine-day fair is held around the world. From September 29 to October 27, this year,
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Two Sanskrit words are joined to create the word “Navratri.” Nava, which means nine, and Ratri, which means night,
About Navratri
The tale surrounding Navratri tells of a great battle. Between the strong demon Mahishasura and the Goddess Durga. Lord Brahma gives eternal life to Mahishasura.
On the condition that the strong Mahishasura could only vanquish by a woman. Mahishasura assaulted the Trilok—earth, heaven, and hell. Armed with the blessing of immortality and confidence. Even the Gods couldn’t defeat him since only a woman could defeat him.
The Worried Gods pleaded to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva for help. In defeating their greatest foe.
Looking at the helpless gods. Lord Vishu decided to construct a woman to defeat Mahishasura. According to Lord Brahma’s blessing, only a woman can defeat the demon. Lord Shiva, known as the god of destruction, is now the most powerful deity.
As a result, everyone contacted him for help. Then Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma combined all their energies into the lady. Whom Lord Vishnu had made to destroy Mahishasura.
Goddess Durga says to be a reincarnation of Lord Shiva’s bride, Goddess Parvati. Shakti is another name for Goddess Parvati. She is the powerful goddess who rules over the entire universe.
The Goddess Durga fought Mahishasura for 15 days. After the three great Gods—Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva)—created her. The struggle shook the Trilok—Earth, Heaven, and Hell.
Throughout the battle, Mahishasura changed his shape to deceive his opponent, Goddess Durga. When the demon assumed the appearance of a buffalo. The Goddess Durga pierced his chest with her ‘Trishul’ (a forked weapon), slaying him.
During Navaratri
The Goddess Durga’s various forms are worshipped as characters.
- On the first day, people worship Goddess Shailputri.
- On the second, they worship Goddess Brahmacharini.
- People pay homage to Goddess Chandraghanta on the third day.
- On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda prays.
- The Goddess Skandamata is worshiped on the fifth day.
- On the sixth day, Goddess Katyayani is worshiped.
- On the seventh day, the goddess Kaalratri is worshiped.
- The Goddess Mahagauri is worshiped on the eighth.
- The Navaratri celebration commemorates Goddess Durga’s defeat of Mahishasura. It represents the triumph of good over evil.
Fasting is rehearsed in various parts of India during Navaratri. They do puja and break their fast on the last day.
Goddess Durga’s Nine Births in Navratri
At the celebration of Navratri, the nine forms of Goddess Durga said Navdurga. an iteration of Ma Durga’s honor on each of the nine days of Navratri.
Each form of Maa Durga links with a different color and has a different meaning. Wearing these colors on various Navratri days consider auspicious. Here is the meaning of each of Ma Durga’s colors.
1-Mata Shailputri
Goddess Shailputri is the first of Goddess Durga’s nine incarnations. As a result, Shailputri Devi is the first incarnation of the first Durga. Shailputri translates as “daughter of the hills.”
She said the name ‘Shailputri’ since she was born as a daughter in the palace of the mountain king, Himalaya.
On the first day of the Navratri festival, Shailputri Devi is selected and revered. During the first day’s worship, the yogis center their minds on the Mooladhara chakra.
This is where he begins his yoga practice. Shailputri Mataji holds a lotus blossom in her left hand and a trident in her right. Her prior birth, as the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, gave her the name “Sati.”
Hemavati is another name for Shailputri Devi. Goddess Parvati, according to the Upanishads, shattered the vanity of many gods. The gods recognized him as ‘Shakti.’
Shailputri looks after all the devotees who come to the Himalayas. To practice yoga, sadhana, austerity, and rituals. It is especially in mountainous places, such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Purvanchal, and Nepal.
First Day- Color Yellow
On the first day, everyone wears yellow. It enhances our lives by adding brightness, joy, and cheer. It is related to the sun and the generative power that gives life.
2- Mata Brahmacharini
On the second day of Navratri, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped. Lord Mangal, the source of all fortunes, is also in charge of Maa Durga’s second incarnation.
According to tradition, Goddess Parvati wished to marry Lord Shiva. When her parents found out, they tried to discourage her. Yet, it did not work, so she sought the help of Lord Kama, the God of sensual activity and attraction.
The Kama discharged an arrow of pleasure and desire into Shiva during this quest. Shiva became irritated and enraged while meditating. As a result, he burned him to ashes.
The plot did not finish there. She began to live her life in the manner of Shiva. For several years, the goddess went to the mountains and lived as an ascetic.
As a result, she gives the name Brahmacharini. As a result, she drew Lord Shiva’s attention. So he went to her in disguise and told her about Shiva’s undesirable attributes.
But the Goddess paid no attention to such things, instead refusing to hear anything. Shiva accepted her, and they married.
Second Day-Color green
This day is dedicated to the color green, which stands for rebirth, the natural world, and vitality. Wearing this color on the second day of Navrati promotes growth, harmony, and new vitality.
The color of plant life, green, can stand for awakenings, new beginnings, and growth. In Celtic folklore, the green man is important vegetation and fertility God.
3-Mata Chandraghanta
Devi Parvati’s married form is Chandraghanta. The Devi wears a half-moon on her brow, and her favorite color is grey. Goddess Mahagauri began to adorn her forehead with half of Chandra.
After marrying Lord Shiva. As a result, Goddess Parvati became known as Chandraghanta. Chandraghanta, the goddess, alights on the tigress. On her brow, she has the semicircular moon (Chandra). She goes by the name Chandra-Ghanta. because of the half-moon on her forehead. She appears to have ten hands.
The Goddess Chandraghanta holds the Trishul, Gada, Sword, and Kamandal. in her four left hands. while maintaining the Varada Mudra in her fifth left hand. She holds a lotus flower, an arrow, a Dhanush, and a Japa Mala. In each of her four right hands, she maintains the Abhaya Mudra with her fifth right hand.
Third-Day- Color Grey
Grey is a dark color that links with pessimism, yet it also represents fervor and desire to battle evil. Gray is a more mature, responsible color. whose positive connotations include formality and dependability. Grey is rarely the star of the show.
4- Mata Khushmanda
The fourth day is reserved for Goddess Khushmanda, who is thought to have also beamed the world into reality. “The smiling goddess” is another name for her.
In Hindu mythology, the creation of the universe attributes to the goddess Kushmanda. Her heavenly smile. She regards adherents of the Kalikula tradition. as the fourth manifestation of Mahadevi in the Navadurga forms.
The three words that make up her name all denote her primary function: “a bit,” “warmth,” or “energetic.”
On the fourth day of the Navaratri celebration, Kushmanda worships to promote health. as well as give wealth and power. Goddess Kushmanda has eight hands. Mata is sometimes called as Ashtabhuja Devi. Her Jap Mala contains all the abilities to confer Siddhis and Niddhis.
Fourth Day- Color orange
That is why she connects with the bright color orange. This hue is associated with brightness, joy, and springy strength.
Orange is linked to a high level of vigor and a lively social scene. It is an active color, so we respond to it with heightened emotions. increased activity and a sharper awareness of our surroundings.
5- Skandamata
Skandamata is Goddess Durga’s fifth form, holding Lord Kartikeya in her right arm. Worshiping this form of the Devi also allows you to worship Lord Kartikeya. If you wish to receive more blessings from the deity. Dress in white on this day, which represents purity, peace, and meditation.
Skandamata, the goddess, alights on the vicious lion. Murugan, the infant, is resting on her lap. The brother of Lord Ganesha and also known as Kartikeya, Lord Murugan
Skandamata, the goddess pictured with four hands, In her top two hands, she is holding lotus blossoms. She maintains the Abhaya Mudra with one right hand while holding the infant Murugan in the other. Skandamata is sometimes referred to as Goddess Padmasana.
Because of the lotus flower on which she sits.
Fifth Day- Color white
It defines as the absolute color of light. It symbolizes truth, purity, innocence, peace, and meditation. Dressing up in clean white attire when visiting the temple. Offering white-colored flowers to the statue of Lord Buddha.
6- Mata Katyayani
Goddess Katyayani is the sixth form of Goddess Durga. As the warrior-goddess or Bhadrakali, she is the most powerful form of Goddess Durga. It says, “The favor of Goddess Katyayani aids in the forgiveness of the worshiper’s sins.”
Drive out evil spirits and cut through obstacles. It starts that worshipping her can lessen a devotee’s “Manglik dosha.” On this day, single girls also observe a fast in the hopes of finding the marriage of their dreams.
Sixth Day – Color Red
The color red represents one of the strongest forms of the Goddess Durga. The color signifies the Goddess’s rage. Towards her adversaries as well as her fearlessness. It links with love and fertility. Its meaning is passion, power, ambition, love, and determination.
7- Mata Kalaratri
Navdurga’s seventh avatar is Kalaratri. The word Kalaratri means “the Death of Kaal,” and it refers to death here. This goddess form is to be the destroyer of all demons, and she has a black complexion and a bold posture.
Goddess Kalaratri has dark, black skin and rides a donkey. Mata has four hands in the illustration. Her left hands hold a dangerous iron hook and a sword, and her right hands are in the Abhaya and Varada mudras.
Despite being the fiercest manifestation of Goddess Parvati, Kalatri bestows Abhaya and Varada Mudras upon her devotees. She also goes by the name Goddess Shubhankari. Due to the shubh, or fortunate force, contained inside her ferocious shape.
Seventh Day-Color Dark Blue
The dark blue color represents Devi’s great strength. Its associated color, Royal Blue, represents enormous power. The male principle of distance and the Gods have often related to the color blue in the sky.
It represents intelligence, communication, trust, serenity, loyalty, and truth.
8- Mata Mahagauri
On the eighth day, the Goddess Mahagauri honors This version of Goddess Durga can grant all her worshippers’ wishes. Whoever worships this form of the Devi receives healing from all life’s tribulations. She is also referred to as Vrisharudha.
Since both Goddess Mahagauri and Goddess Shailputri ride bulls. Four hands is used to represent the goddess Mahagauri. She holds Trishul with one hand while maintaining the Abhaya Mudra with the other.
She holds Damaru in one hand while maintaining the Varada Mudra with the other hand. The goddess Mahagauri is very fair, as her name suggests.
Goddess Mahagauri reached the conch, the moon, and the white Kunda flower because of her pale skin. She only wears white clothing, earning her the name Shwetambardhara.
Eighth Day – Color Pink
Pink represents hope, self-refinement, and social upliftment. Pink represents femininity and romance, sensitivity and tenderness. It’s inherently sweet, cute, and charming.
9- Mata Siddhidatri
On the final day of Navratri, worship is proposed to the goddess Siddhidatri. It comes from the words “Siddhi,” which means a gift from the supernatural, and “Dhatri,” which means a person who bestows it upon you. The Devi gives you wisdom and helps you accomplish your goals.
The goddess Siddhidatri rides the lion while seated on Kamal. She has four hands in the illustration. She is holding a Gada in one of her right hands, a Chakra in the other, a lotus flower in one of her left hands, and a Shankh in the other.
Siddhidatri is the Goddess who holds all Siddhis and grants them to her followers. By the grace of Goddess Siddhidatri, even Lord Shiva attained all Siddhis. She is hero-worship by Devas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Yakshas, and Siddhas in addition to humans. Lord Shiva is given the name Ardha-Narishwar when Goddess Siddhidatri appeared on his left side.
Ninth Day-Color Purple
The day is associated with the powerful and moving color purple. This contains the energy of red and the strength and integrity of blue.
It represents spirituality, power, royalty, magic, luxury, and calm. It combines body and mind and creates a balance between our physical and mental energy.
Navratri Fasting rules
Do’s:
1-Do not starve yourself during fasting. Continue to consume nuts and fruit every two hours.
2. Follow the Navratri diet, which is alkaline and includes nuts, fruits, dairy products like milk and butter, and chosen flours like Kuttu ka Atta (buckwheat flour), Singhare ka Atta (water chestnut flour), and Rajgira ka Atta (raisin flour) (amaranth flour).
3. -Stay hydrated by drinking water, milk, buttermilk, and fresh juices throughout the day.
4. For Navratri culinary dishes, use rock salt or sendha namak for table salt. Also, when it comes to spices, use cumin seeds, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper powder, red chili powder, and black peppercorns.
Don’t:
1. If possible, onions, garlic, and spices are avoided when preparing meals for Navratri. Avoid foods and oils that produce heat, such as sesame or mustard oil.
2. It is forbidden to consume meat, eggs, alcohol, or tobacco during Navratri.
3. If you are fasting, skip the full meal or the last meal before the sandhya aarti or dusk.
4. Avoid drinking commercial juices because they may include additional salt and preservatives to improve flavor.