The Significance of Navratri and the rituals in North India

Posted by N.K Taneja on September 26th, 2016

Navratri is an important Hindu festival, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. The word “Navratri” means nine nights - indicating the worship through nine nights and ten days. There are five types of Navratri in a year however it is the Navratri that is celebrated in October/November month that is the most celebrated. It is known as the Sharad Navratri.

People all over the country worship Goddess Durga in all her avatars. The festival calls for worship and fasting and special foods and sweets that are very specifically prepared for the festival. On the eighth day or Ashtami as its called little girls are worshipped as “kanjak devis” as they represent the goddess herself.
 
People across North India invite little girls to their homes and perform the kanjak pooja. The little girls may be girls within the family, daughters of relatives, friends, neighbors or staff – all are worshipped on this auspicious day. The person performing the pooja washes the feet of the little girls and treats them to a meal of the customary poori, halva and channas usually at breakfast or lunch. The little girls are also gifted Navratri Gifts in the form of red chunnis, bangles and gifts or money as a “shagun”.

In recent times, the gifts for the little kanjaks have seen new concepts emerge like gifting books on mythology, stationery and clothes. The idea is to give a useful gift or a gift that inspires spiritual curiosity amongst the modern generation.

A perfect option among the Navratri gift ideas would most definitely be the 24Ct. Gold Plated Lakhshmi-Ganesha coin or a small Ma Durga Frame / Car Dashboard frame from Diviniti that your little kanjak can worship in her very own mini mandir. No one dare stop her Barbies and other dolls to be part of the pooja - they are very very welcome!

Navratri in many parts of the country is celebrated by visiting each other’s homes for the auspicious festival. It is customary to carry a gift when you visit someone as a token of good luck and prosperity. One of the most elegant gifts for the festival this year is definitely the Sheranwali Mata Idol from Diviniti made of resin dust and beautifully accentuated with 24ct gold plating. At Diviniti we also have 24ct gold foils with images of Durga Maa, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati.

Simply log on to www.diviniti.in to view our entire range of gifts. You can now send Navratri gifts online to India from anywhere in the world. We assure you of a smooth and easy delivery of your order.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Navratri!