Importance of Navratri

Posted by Sapna on September 12th, 2019

The festival of Navratri is one of the prime festivals in India which is celebrated on a grand scale in all parts of the country with great happiness, enthusiasm and delight. The festival of Navratri is celebrated to honour Maa Durga and all Her Nine forms. This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. The celebration is praised in the splendid portion of the Hindu schedule month Ashvin, which normally falls in the Gregorian long stretches of September and October. This year the holy festival of Navratri begins on the 29th September 2019 and end on 7^th October 2019.

Story of Navratri- Insight and Knowledge

There are many legends to Navratri one of these popular legends speak about how Goddess Durga came into being and how she destroyed one of the most powerful and wicked evil Mahishasura. The story goes like Lord Brahma of the trinity was pleased by evil spirit Mahishasura who did a lot of penance to appease Lord Brahma.  According to the boon given by Brahma to the buffalo demon Mahishasura, no man could ever put an end to Mahishasura or destroy him. Loaded with pride and wicked schemes due to the boon Mahishasura set out to rule over all the three worlds by destroying and defeating one and all. Soon he encountered Indra and very easily defeated him too. Terrified and baffled Lord Indra went to the trinity - Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva requesting help. To destroy the evil spirit, the trinity chose to combine all their divine powers out of which an undefeatable preeminent Shakti rose. This preeminent goddess was Devi Durga. The beautiful yet fierce Goddess Durga fought with vigour with Mahishasura for nine days, executing him on the tenth. Thus, the nine nights are referred as Navratri and symbolize the nine days of battle between Devi Durga and Mahisasura, while the tenth day, which is known as Vijayadashami infers the triumphant tenth day of achievement of good over vindictiveness.

Benefits of observing Navratri

The individuals who believe that the ceremonies, puja vidhi and sanskaram's are for the most part exercise in futility and cash, but this is not so all the rituals that we perform have a scientific logic. Listed below are few of them

1. The rituals involved offer positivity and helps the devotee to control the worldly urges and wants if any.

2. Fasting and meditating offers mental peace as well as it detoxifies the body. Observing fast also makes one calm and acts like a gateway to spiritual growth and emotional stability.

3. Due to the Sattvik bhojan we consume during the nine days it nourishes the body and wards off hypertensions and lowers the chances of cardiovascular issues.

4. It helps to get rid of and control emotions of Anger, Jealousy, Hate, Ego, Fear, Lust, Greed, Attachment, Inertia, and Guilt.

5. It enhances the willpower and makes you mentally, emotionally and physically strong

Nine types of Goddess who are worshipped during Navratri

Day 1: Shailaputri

Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. According to Her iconography She is depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trishula in her right hand and lotus in her left.

Day 2: Brahmacharini

On the second day Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped. She is also an incarnation of Parvati. According to Her iconography She is portrayed as walking bare feet and holding a japamala and kamandal in her hands, she symbolizes bliss and calm.

Day 3: Chandraghanta

On the third day goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. She is the symbol of bravery and the embodiment of beauty.

Day 4: Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is honoured and worshiped on Chaturthi. As per the iconography She is portrayed having eight arms and sits on a Tiger.

Day 5: Skandmata

Skandamata, the goddess worshiped on Panchami, As per Her iconography She is depicted riding a lion. She has four arms and holds Her baby.

Day 6: Katyayani

Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. Known as the warrior goddess, Goddess Katyayani is believed to be one of the fiercest forms of Goddess Parvati. In this form, She rides a lion and has four hands.

Day 7: Kalaratri

The most ferocious form of Goddess Durga, Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on Saptami.

Day 8: Mahagauri

Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the 8^th day of Navratri. She represents intelligence and peace.

Day 9: Sidhidatri

The last day of the Navratri festival also known as Navami, people worship goddess Siddhidhatri. According to Her iconography She is portrayed sitting on a lotus, She bestows all type of Siddhis.