Adsterra

Ticker

6/recent/ticker-posts

What is Navratri | Celebrations | Legend | Significance

How and why is Navratri celebrated in India?

By Intimate Viewpoint

Navratri is one of the major festivals in Hinduism. It is celebrated twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra in the lunar calendar or in March -April in the Gregorian calendar and secondly in the month of Ashwin in the lunar calendar or in September -October in the Gregorian Calendar.


Navratri

The Navratri that is celebrated in the month of Ashwin is more significant than the Navratri celebrated in Chaitra. It is celebrated all over India. Navratri is also known as 'Durga Puja', 'Dashara', and 'Vijaydashmi'.  In India, every state celebrates this festival in its own form. In West Bengal, it is celebrated for 4 days and is called Durga Puja, while in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab it is celebrated for nine days and called Navratri, and in the Eastern states also it is celebrated for nine days and is called Navratri as well as Dussehra.

Navratri Celebrations in different states

Dandiya

Durga Puja is the major festival in West Bengal. The preparations begin months in advance. It is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm there. In the state of Gujarat, the festival is well known for its Dandiya and Garba dance. Men and women play Dandiya for nine days. Garba is also a form of dance similar to the Dandiya. Garba dance is also performed by the girls and boys for nine days. In the rest part of India, it is celebrated for nine days by keeping a fast and observing the day with Puja-Path. Goddess Durga is worshipped everywhere.

What are the nine forms of Durga in Navratri?

The nine forms of Durga

Navratri is dedicated to the supreme Goddess Durga or Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The nine forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped in the nine days of Navratri.

The nine forms of Goddess Durga are called 'Nav Durga' which means the nine forms of Durga.

On the first day of Navratri, the goddess Shailputri is worshipped. Shailputri (daughter of Mountain) is an incarnation of Parvati.

On the second day of Navratri goddess Brahmachari is worshipped. Brahmcharini is the unmarried self-form of Goddess Parvati. In this incarnation, Devi Parvati became Yogini.

On the third day, the goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. This incarnation of Durga is known for that time when she adorned her forehead with the 'Ardhchandra', which means half moon after marrying Shiva.

On the fourth day, Devi Kusmananda is worshipped. this incarnation of Goddess Parvati symbolizes the endowment of vegetation on earth. 

On the fifth day, Davi Skandmata is worshipped. 'Skandmata' means the mother of Skanda or Kartikey.

On the sixth day, the goddess Katyayani is worshipped. Devi Katyayani is considered one of the most violent forms of Devi Durga. This form was adopted by Devi Durga to kill the buffalo demon Mahishasur.

On the seventh day of Navratri, the goddess Kalratri is worshipped. This form of Devi Durga is considered the most ferocious one. Goddess Durga adopted this form to kill the demons 'Shumbha' and 'Nishumbha'.

On the eighth day, the goddess Mahagauri is worshipped. This form of the Durga symbolized intelligence and peace.

On the day of nine or the last day, Devi Siddhidatri is worshipped. Siddhidatri means the giver of Siddhies or perfection. She mainly bestows with nine types of Siddhies, Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Papti, Prakamya, Isitva, and Vasitva.

Post a Comment

0 Comments

adsterra