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*Navratri* is undoubtedly one of the biggest and longest Hindu festivals
celebrated across India. It is a joyous occasion that is observed five
times a year in different seasons. While all the Navratris hold great
religious significance, the Sharada Navratri in autumn and Chaitra Navratri
in spring are considered the most important. Devotees keep fasts, perform
puja, and seek blessings of Maa Durga during nine devotional nights
dedicated to the Hindu Goddess. Temples across Indian cities are decorated
during the *Navratri festival* as Devotees visit in large numbers. The
festival is very popular among the Indian community around the globe.
People eagerly wait for *Navratri* as its time for puja, celebrations, and
fasting for nine consecutive days with outsized celebrations both in Indian
villages and cities. Goddess Durga is the emblem of Shakti. She is the
Goddess who is celebrated for killing an evil demon Mahishasura in a
crusade that lasted for nine days and nine nights. As the story goes,
Mahishasura was blessed with immortality by Lord Brahma. He could only be
killed by a woman. For him, women were the weaker ones and he was confident
that he would never die as if he was a God. Taking advantage of this
blessing out of self-conceit, he and his men started attacking people on
earth. No God was able to kill him. After this, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and
Shiv mutually decided to create Goddess Durga, a powerful woman, who will
be destined to kill Mahishasura. Equipped with various weapons, she finally
defeated Mahishasura when he was in the form of a buffalo. This makes
*Navratri* the celebration of Good over evil.
During this nine-day period, nine different forms of goddess Durga are
worshipped and all of them have different significance.
1.
*Day 1 - Shailaputri: On the first day of Navratri, known as Pratipada,
Shailaputri is worshipped. She is an incarnation of Parvati and is
considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali. Shailaputri is also
known as Hemavati and is considered to be a reincarnation of Sati (Shiva’s
first wife).*
2.
*Day 2 - Brahmacharini: On the second day of Navratri, known as Dwitiya,
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped. She is another incarnation of Parvati
and is worshipped for emancipation or moksha and endowment of peace and
prosperity. The color code of this day is green, and sometimes the orange
color, which depicts tranquility, is used.*
3.
*Day 3 - Chandraghanta: On the third day of Navratri, known as Tritiya,
Chandraghanta is worshipped. She is the embodiment of beauty and is also
symbolic of bravery. The color of the day is grey, which is a vivacious
color and can cheer up everyone's mood. Chandraghanta got her name from the
fact that after marrying Shiva, Parvati adorned her forehead with the
ardhachandra (lit. half-moon).*
4.
*Day 4 - Kushmanda: On the fourth day of Navratri, known as Chaturthi,
Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped. She is believed to be the creative power
of the universe and is associated with the endowment of vegetation on
earth, hence, the color of the day is orange.*
5.
*Day 5 - Skandamata: On the fifth day of Navratri, known as Panchami,
Skandamata is worshipped. She is the mother of Skanda (or Kartikeya). She
is depicted riding a ferocious lion, having four arms, and holding her
baby.*
6.
*Day 6 - Katyayani: On the sixth day of Navratri, known as Shashtami,
Katyayani is worshipped. Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered
one of the most violent forms of Devi. In this avatar, Katyayani rides a
lion and has four hands. She is a form of Parvati, Mahalakshmi,
Mahasaraswati.*
7.
*Day 7 - Kaalaratri: On the seventh day of Navratri, the focus is on
worshipping Goddess Kalratri, who is believed to be the fiercest form of
Goddess Durga. It is said that she destroys all evil forces and brings
peace and positivity to the world. Devotees fast and offer prayers to her
on this day.*
8.
*Day 8 - Mahagauri: On the eighth day, also known as Ashtami, the emphasis
is on worshipping Goddess Mahagauri, who is depicted as a beautiful and
calm goddess. She is believed to be the symbol of peace, intelligence, and
purity. Devotees offer white clothes and flowers to her and seek her
blessings for a peaceful life.*
9.
*Day 9 - Siddhidatri: Finally, on the ninth day, which is called Navami,
the celebrations culminate with the worship of Goddess Siddhidatri, who is
believed to possess all the Siddhis (divine powers) and blesses her
devotees with prosperity, success, and happiness. It is also the day of
Kanjak Puja, where young girls are worshipped as forms of goddesses and are
offered food and gifts.*
*“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test
of our civilization.” -Mahatma Gandhi*
Daksha Howard
Program Coordinator
Residential Life
Beloit College
Phone- 608-363-2125
Email - howardd_at_beloit.edu
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm - Monday Through Thursday
Friday - 8 am to 1 pm
Received on Fri Oct 13 2023 - 11:27:36 CDT