Navratri is a holy festival for Hindus. It is a festival of nine nights during which people worship goddess of shakthi - Durga, Raja Rajeshwari, Lakshmi, Saraswati…
During these nine nights/ten days, nine forms of Shakthi/Devi are worshipped. Nine forms of Devi are – Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagadamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandi, Lalitha, Bhavani and Mookambika. The festival culminates on the tenth day, called Vijaya Dasami or festival of Dasara/Dussehra. – The day marking the victory of Good over Evil.
Navratri commences on the first day of the lunar month of Ashwin, celebrated for nine nights starting October. Navratri is divided into sets of 3 days to adore 3 different aspects of the supreme goddess.
In the first three days, goddess is invoked as a spiritual force called Durga in order to destroy all impurities. Durga symbolizes nature in all its might. Durga is central to the legend of the destruction of the demon Mahishasura. Durga is enshrined in almost all Saivite temples in South India.
In the second three days, Lakshmi, considered to have the power of bestowing wealth on her devotees will be worshipped. Lakshmi symbolizes the benevolent aspect of nature. Worshipped as the consort of Vishnu, Lakshmi is the symbol of prosperity and well being.
The final three days is spent in worshipping the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati. Saraswati is regarded as the consort of the creator Bhrahma. All forms of art are said to originate from Saraswati. In South India, Sarawati pooja is performed on the 7th day. Ayudha Pooja is on the 9th day.
During these nine nights/ten days, nine forms of Shakthi/Devi are worshipped. Nine forms of Devi are – Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagadamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandi, Lalitha, Bhavani and Mookambika. The festival culminates on the tenth day, called Vijaya Dasami or festival of Dasara/Dussehra. – The day marking the victory of Good over Evil.
Navratri commences on the first day of the lunar month of Ashwin, celebrated for nine nights starting October. Navratri is divided into sets of 3 days to adore 3 different aspects of the supreme goddess.
In the first three days, goddess is invoked as a spiritual force called Durga in order to destroy all impurities. Durga symbolizes nature in all its might. Durga is central to the legend of the destruction of the demon Mahishasura. Durga is enshrined in almost all Saivite temples in South India.
In the second three days, Lakshmi, considered to have the power of bestowing wealth on her devotees will be worshipped. Lakshmi symbolizes the benevolent aspect of nature. Worshipped as the consort of Vishnu, Lakshmi is the symbol of prosperity and well being.
The final three days is spent in worshipping the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati. Saraswati is regarded as the consort of the creator Bhrahma. All forms of art are said to originate from Saraswati. In South India, Sarawati pooja is performed on the 7th day. Ayudha Pooja is on the 9th day.