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Navratri
as per meaning signifies Nine nights which are dedicated
to the Divine Mother or Shakti. This festival is celebrated
in the month of Ashvin Sud from 1 to 9 (September-
October). Navratri is
the longest celebrated Indian
festival.
Navratri History
The practice of goddess worship was prevalent in India
since the time immemorial even before the advent of
Aryans. Our ancestors have always placed Devi or Stree
(as she was referred to) into the highest pedestal
of the prevalent social system at that time and they
worshipped her as Shakti. There are references in
our Shastras which confirms the existence of such
practices. There are several myths and legends associated
with celebration of this Navratri
Festival.
- As per one legend Mahishasura the
mighty demon worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained
the power of eternity. So he started to kill and
harass innocent people and set out to win seven
lokas. Intimated by his power all the gods from
swargaloka appealed to Lord Shiva to tame the demon.
Then Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar (Shiva) united
their supreme powers and created a divine being
called Shakti or Durga the Warrior Goddess. Mahishasura
who happened to see this divine beauty Durga got
mesmerized by her beauty and approached her with
the intention of marriage. Goddess Durga agreed
to marry him but in one condition that Mahishasura
should win over her in duel. Mahishasura who was
proudy of his power agreed for the duel. The duel
went on for 9 nights and the end of 9th night Goddess
Durga beheaded Mahishasura. So the nine nights for
which the war was fought is called Navrathri.
The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi.
- According to other legend King Daksha
of Himalayas had a beautiful and Virtuos daughter
Uma who had a wish to marry Lord Shiva. As a result
she worshipped Lord Shiva and pleased him. Lord
Shiva married Uma. Once Uma visited her parents
to participate in a Yagna conducted over there,
during that time King Daksha insulted Lord Shiva
unable to bear the insults meted on her husband
Uma decided to end her life by jumping into the
agnikund where she was united with the eternity.
Henceforth she was also known as Sati. Sati was
reborn again and peace was restored between her
and parents. In that birth also she married Lord
Shiva and lived happily thereafter. It is believed
that Sati comes to stay with her parents for 9 days
in every year and that time is celebrated as Navarathri.
- One hypothesis states that in ancient
times Kshatriyas debarred themselves from participating
any warlike activities during monsoon season. Once
monsoons got over they found the time to start afresh
with their war activities. So before the start of
their war journey these Kshatriyas worshipped different
aspects of Devi for 9 days which is today celebrated
as the Navratri.
- According to one legend Lord Rama
who wanted to release Sita from the clutches of
mighty demon king Ravana prayed Goddess Durga in
nine aspects for nine days in order to gather the
strength and power to kill Ravana. Those nine nights
became to be known as Navrathri
and on the tenth day Rama killed Ravana that
day is called Vijayadashmi or Dashera.
Nine different manifestations of Durga are worshipped during Navratri they are
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- Durga :goddess beyond reach
- Bhadrakali the auspicious power of time
- Amba or Jagdamba: mother of the world
- Annapurna: giver of food and plenty
- Sarvamangala: auspicious goddess
- Bhairavi: terrible, fearful, power of death
- Chandika or Handi: violent, wrathful, furious
- Lalita: playful
- Bhavani: giver of existence.
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