First of all, I would like to wish our Hindi page community, a very happy Navratri!

Many of them would be unaware of Navratri for sure. Let me show you everything about Navratri.

‘Nav’ means ‘nine’ and ‘ratri’ means ‘night’. Thus, ‘Navratri’ means ‘nine nights’. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals. All of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. It is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Indian in Gujarat and West Bengal states and it is celebrated all over India with much fervour of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season.

Navratri comes four times a year, however only 2 seasons, the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important period of climatic change and solar influence and therefore during these period in Navratri, Hindu worships and thanks the supreme cosmic energy in the form of Goddess Durga for blessing us with everything and maintaining the balance of cosmic energy in Universe.

The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga dressed in red and mounted on a lion. Her various incarnations – Kumari, Parvati and Kali – are worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman. Next three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi , the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess Of Knowledge, dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan.It is believed that worshipping during Navratri will bestow on us wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge, and other potent powers to cross every hurdle of life. Traditional sweets (Mithai) are prepared during this period. Children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances of Garba and Dandiya dances.

Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat, while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. Navratri is also associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children.

In some communities, people go for rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of Navratri. The festival culminates on Mahanavami. On this day, “Kanya Puja” (Girl Worship) is performed. Nine girls from the home and neighbourhood are invited to take part in the Kanya Puja. It is believed that these nine young girls represent the nine forms of Goddess Durga and are worshipped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshipper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.