The Importance Of 'Navratra' In Indian Culture (2023) |Celebration | The Legend

When Navratra Is Celebrated?

By Intimate Viewpoint

There are two major festivals ( Navratra & Chhath) are celebrarted twice in a year. Otherwise all other festivals are celebrated annualy.

In India, Navratra is celebrated in the month of 'Chaitra' in the lunar calender, in the Giregorian calender, March-April. It is observed as Autumn festival that's why it is also called 'Sharad Navratri'. It is also celebrated in the month of 'Ashwin' or in September-October. It is observed over nine nights and 10 days.

Ashwin Navratra is significantly celebrated all over India, whilst "Sharad Navratri" is significance in some eastern states.

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Celebration

Navratra is celebrated in India by fasting. Devotees worship goddess Durga twice a day by fasting. On the first day 'Kalash' pot is established in the house. The Bhajan and Aarti of Maa Durga is sung routine wise. Devotees take fruits and 'Satvik' (pure vegetarian) food. But some other states like Gujarat celebrate Navratri by performing 'Dandiya'or Garva & have fun and feast for nine nights. Whereas in the Eastern states it is very special from the religious point of view.

On this special occasion, along with worshiping, some special rituals are also performed. 'Kanya Pujan' (girl worship) is the main in all rituals. 

In the Ashwin Navratra, huge images of Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Karthik and the demon King Mahishasur are established in many places. Big fairs are held everywhere. Shops are adorned with red Chunris and worship materials. Fruits shops are full with various fruits. Cloths and Crackers shops are also full of cloths and crackers. Thus Navratra is celebrated in India,

Legend

Navratri (Nav means nine, Ratri means night) is dedicated to Maa Durga who defeated the buffalo headed demon King Mahishasur over the battle of  nine days.

Mahishasur got a boon of immortality from Brahma because of his dedication to him. But there was a condition that no one could kill him accept a woman. Hearing this, he became relaxed that a woman can never be as powerful as she could kill him. But diety Durga was the most powerful as she had been empowered by all gods. Then the battle occurred between Mahishasur and goddess Durga.

Eventually, Goddess Durga successfully killed the demon King. Thus the victory of truth over untruth and good over evil occured .

Apart from this, one more Legend is famous. It is said, that Ram the king of Ayodhya was going to attack Lanka to get back his wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana the king of Lanka. He worshiped Devi Durga for nine days by fasting to seek blessings from her. This is how Navratri started.