Navrarthri

This year, Navrarthri is celebrated between Oct 5 to Oct 14

th
, 2013.
Navrarthri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga.
The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning
nine and ratri meaning nights.
[2]
During these nine nights and ten days, nine
forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The tenth day is commonly referred to
as Vijayadashami or "Dussehra." Navratri is a very important and major
festival and is celebrated with great zeal all over India.
Navarathri represents a celebration of the Goddess Amba, (the or Power).
The Navarathri festival or "Nine Nights festival"
A whole chapter in the tenth mandal of the holy Rigveda deals with the
devotional sadhanas of Shakti. The "Devi Sukta" and "Usha Sukta" of the
Rigveda and "Ratri Sukta" of the Samveda similarly sing paeans of praise of
sadhanas of Shakti.
Before the beginning of the Mahabharat war, Lord Krishna had worshipped
Durga - the Goddess of Shakti- for the victory of the Pandvas.
Lord Brahma is cited in the Markandey Purana as mentioning to Rishi
Markandey that the first incarnation of Shakti was as Shailputri. Other
incarnations of the Divine Mother are: Brahmchari, Chandraghanta,
Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri in
that order. These nine manifestations of Shakti, are worshipped as "Nava-
Durga". The fifth chapter of the Rudra Sanhita of Shiva Purana also vividly
describes the various Divine Emanations of Durga.
Navaratri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri,
Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharad Navaratri, and the Paush/Magha
Navaratri. Of these, the Sharad Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the
Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are the most important.
Among them, Sharad Navaratri is simply called Maha Navaratri (the Great
Navratri) and is celebrated in the 'pratipada' (first day) of the bright
fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvina. Also known as Sharad Navaratri, as
it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of winter, SeptemberOctober).
Navaratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. In North India, all
three Navaratris are celebrated with much fervor by fasting on all nine days
and worshiping the Mother Goddess in her different forms. The Chaitra
Navratri culminates in Ram Navami and the Sharad Navaratri culminates in
Durga Puja and Dussehra. The Dussehra of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is
particularly famous in the North. Navratri festival in Gujarat is one of the
main festivals. Garba is dance which people use to dance after the Durga
Pooja with the groups and live orchestra or devotional songs.
The last four days of Sharad Navaratri take on a particularly dramatic form
in the state of West Bengal in East India where they are celebrated as
Durga Puja.
[3]
This is the biggest festival of the year in this state. Exquisitely
crafted and decorated life-size clay idols of the Goddess Durga depicting her
slaying the demon Mahishasura are set up in temples and other places.
These idols are then worshiped for five days and immersed in the river on
the fifth day.
In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat and Mumbai, Navratri is
celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. Since the past
few years, the Government of Gujarat has been organising the "Navratri
Festival Celebrations" on a regular basis for the nine days of Navratri
Festival in Gujarat. People from all over Gujarat and even abroad come to
participate in the nine days celebrations. It is also popular throughout India
and among Indian communities around the world including the UK,
Canada,Malaysia,Singapore and USA.
In the temples of Goa,on the first day of the seventh month of the Hindu
calendar Ashwin, in some temples, a copper pitcher is installed surrounded
by clay in which nine varieties of food grains are sown inside the sanctum
sanctuary of the temple.All the nine nights are celebrated by presenting
devotional songs, and through religious discourses. Later in the night the
idol of the goddess is put in a specially-decorated colourful swing and for
nine nights, this swing is being swung to the tune of temple music (called as
ranavadya) by devotees who throng in large numbers to participate in the
festival.
[4]

In South India, people set up steps and place idols on them. This is known
as golu. Photos of typical golu displayed in Tamil Nadu style can be found
here.
In Karnataka, Ayudha Puja, the ninth day of Mysore Dasara, is celebrated
with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books,
vehicles, or kitchen tools. The effort to see the divine in the tools and
objects one uses in daily life is central to this celebration, so it includes all
tools that help one earn one's livelihood. Knowledge workers go for books,
pen or computers, farmers go for the plough and other agricultural tools,
machinery for industrialists and cars/buses/trucks for the transportation
workersall are decorated with flowers and worshiped on this day invoking
God's blessing for success in coming years. It is believed that any new
venture such as starting of business or purchasing of new household items
on this day is bound to bring success and prosperity.
Mysore is well known for the festivities that take place during the period of
Dasara, the state festival of Karnataka. The Dasara festivities, which are
celebrated over a ten-day period, were first introduced by King Raja
Wodeyar I in 1610.
[5]
On the ninth day of Dasara, called Mahanavami, the
royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession of decorated
elephants, camels and horses.
[5]
On the tenth day, called Vijayadashami, the
traditional Dasara procession (locally known as Jumboo Savari) is held on
the streets of Mysore. An image of the Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed
on a golden howdah on the back of a decorated elephant and taken on a
procession, accompanied by tableaux, dance groups, music bands,
decorated elephants, horses and camels.
[5]
The procession starts from the
Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantapa, where the
banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped.
[5]
The Dasara festivities
culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with a torchlight parade, known
locally as Panjina Kavayatthu.
[5]

In Kerala, three days: Ashtami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami of Sharad
Navarathri are celebrated as Sarasvati Puja in which books are worshiped.
The books are placed for Puja on the Ashtami day in own houses, traditional
nursery schools, or in temples. On Vijaya Dashami day, the books are
ceremoniously taken out for reading and writing after worshiping Sarasvati.
Vijaya Dashami day is considered auspicious for initiating the children into
writing and reading, which is called Vidyarambham. Tens of thousands of
children are initiated into the world of letters on this day in Kerala.
In Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, people celebrate Bathukamma
festival over a period of nine days. It is a kind of navratri celebration.
Navratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of
the supreme goddess or goddesses.
First three days[edit]
The goddess is separated a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in
order to destroy all our evil and grant boons.
Second three days[edit]
The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is
considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible
wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.
Final three days[edit]
The final set of three days is spent in worshiping the goddess of wisdom,
Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the
blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights
of worship.
Eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami which is big in Bengal and Bihar
In some parts of South India, Saraswati puja is performed on the 9th day.
Ayudha Puja is conducted in many parts of South India on the Mahanavami
(Ninth) day with much fanfare. Weapons, agricultural implements, all kinds
of tools, equipments, machinery and automobiles are decorated and
worshipped on this day along with the worship of Goddess. The work starts
afresh from the next day, i.e. the 10th day which is celebrated as 'Vijaya
Dashami'. Many teachers/Schools in south India start teaching Kindergarten
children from that day onwards.
In North India, as the culmination of the Ramlila which is enacted
ceremoniously during Dussehra, the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and
Meghanada are burnt to celebrate the victory of good (Rama) over evil
forces on the 'Vijaya Dashami' day.




The legend behind Navratri is written in detail in Markandeya Purana. Durga
Saptashathi is a part of the Purana, describing in length about the origin and
birth of Shakti and her victories over the slain demons.
Mahishasuras Legend

According to Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahishasura, earned the
favour of Lord Shiva after a long and hard penance. Lord Shiva, impressed
with his devotion, gave him a boon stating that no man or deity would be
able to kill him but a woman can kill him.

Mahishasura was very pleased with this boon as he thought that no woman
in the three worlds could match his might. Arrogant Mahishasura started his
reign of terror over the universe and many people, Gandharvas and Kinnars
were killed mercilessly. He had conquered earth, and set his eyes upon
Indraloka, the abode of the Gods.

The Defeat of Gods

Mahishasur and his army invaded Indraloka. After defeating the King of
Gods, Indra, he drove all the devas (Gods) out of heaven. After their defeat
and humiliation at the hands of Mahishasur, the Gods took refuge under Lord
Brahma.

Brahma took them to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was in deep
meditation and was totally oblivious to the happenings of the material world.
The only solution to end the rule of demon King Mahishasur, was to create a
woman who possessed the ultimate power to fight and defeat the
unconquerable Mahishasura.

On hearing the atrocities of the demon, Lord Vishnu was furious and a
brilliant and powerful energy came out of his being. Lord Shiva also came
out of his meditation and angrily opened his third eye, from which came out
a strong light, which merged with the already existing light of Vishnu.
Brahma and other gods also put in their spiritual powers to the energy,
which took the form of a female deity, who was radiant and extremely
beautiful.

Culmination of Energies

Her face reflected the light of Shiva, her ten arms were from the light of
Lord Vishnu, her feet were from the light of Lord Brahma, the tresses were
formed from the light of Yama, the God of death and the two breasts were
formed from the light of Somanath, the Moon God, the waist from the light
of Indra, the King of Gods, the legs and thighs from the light of Varun, the
God of Sea and hips from the light of Bhoodev (Earth), the toes from the
light of Surya (Sun God), fingers of the hand from the light of the Vasus, the
children of Goddess River Ganga and nose from the light of Kuber, the
keeper of wealth for the Gods.

The teeth were formed from the light of Prajapati, the lord of creatures; the
Triad of her eyes was born from the light of Agni, the Fire God, the eyebrows
from the two Sandhyas, ie, sunrise and sunset, the ears from the light of
Vayu, the God of Wind. As she was made from the female energies of devas
and demigods, she was aptly named Shakti. The name Durga was given to
her after she had killed a demon named Durg.

Power of Weapons

Goddess Durga possessed the unique individual powers of ten deities, which
were symbolised by her ten arms, each of which held different weapons
gifted to her by the Gods, like Indras Vajra, Shivas Trishul, Vishnus
Sudarshan chakra, Varuns conch, Agnis spear, Vasuki`s snake.

From Yama, she received an iron rod, a sword and shield. Vishwakarma
(God of Architecture) gave her an axe and armor. The God of Mountains,
Himavat gifted her with jewels and a lion to ride on. Durga was also given
many other precious and magical gifts, new clothing, and a garland of
immortal lotuses.

The beautiful Durga, bedecked in jewels and golden armor and equipped
with the fearsome weaponry of Gods, was ready to engage in battle with the
fierce and cruel Mahishasura. When Mahishasura heard of Durga`s beauty,
he wished to marry her and sent across a proposal.

The Goddess replied that she would marry him on the condition that he
defeats her in a battle first. Mahishasura and his demon allies found their
attention drawn from heaven to Earth.

The Battlefield

As Mahishasura`s armies were struck down effortlessly by Durga, it became
obvious to him that heaven could not shield him from the Goddess wrath.
No demon could fight her and win. Her breath would replenish her armies -
bringing back to life all of her soldiers who fell. The demons were in chaos
and were easily defeated and captured.

Mahishasura was enraged yet shocked by the disastrous events on the
battlefield. He took on the form of a demonic buffalo and charged at the
divine soldiers of Durga, killing many and lashing out with his whip-like tail.
Durga`s lion pounced on the demon-buffalo and engaged him in a battle.
While he was thus engaged, Durga threw her noose around his neck.

Mahishasura then assumed the form of a lion and when Durga beheaded the
lion, Mahishasura escaped in the form of a man who was immediately face to
face with a volley of arrows from Durga. The demon escaped yet again and
then having assumed the form of a huge elephant, battered Durga`s lion
with a tusk. With her sword Durga hacked the tusk into pieces.

The Victory

The demon reverted once more to the form of the wild buffalo. He hid
himself in the mountains from where he hurled boulders at Durga with his
horns. Durga drank the divine nectar, the gift of Kuber. She then pounced
on Mahishasura, pushing him to the ground with her left leg.

She grasped his head in one hand, pierced him with her sharp trident held in
another, and with yet another of her ten hands she wielded her bright
sword, beheading him. At last he fell dead, and the scattered surviving
remnants of his once invincible army fled in terror. Thus she came to be
called as Mahishasuramardini.

The battle had gone on for nine days and nights and at last, resulted in the
beheading of Mahishasura on the tenth. The nine nights became renowned
as Navratri, while the tenth day was called Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day
that brought the triumph of good over the evil.

Lotus Legend

There are various legends associated with its origin but the most important
and prevalent among them is the legend of Lord Rama (the incarnation of
Lord Vishnu). When Lord Rama was fighting a battle with Ravana (the
demon king) to rescue his wife Sita whom Ravana had abducted and held as
hostage in Lanka, his kingdom.

As the battle continued with neither parties failing, Lord Rama decided to
seek the blessings of Shakti (Goddess Durga) in order to defeat the demon.
The puja which was undertaken by Lord Rama required 108 blue lotuses for
the worship of Goddess Durga but he could manage only 107. He decided
not to discard the puja due to lack of a single lotus flower and instead
thought of offering one of his eyes that was lotus-shaped and blue in color at
the Goddess feet.

As he was about to offer his eye, Goddess Durga appeared and satisfied with
his devotion, granted her blessing. Lord Rama won the battle against
Ravana. The season during which he had performed this puja was spring and
the tradition of celebrating Durga Puja has continued since then.

The Legend of Uma

In East India, legend has it that Daksha, the king of the Himalayas had a
beautiful daughter called Uma, who since her childhood wanted to marry
Lord Shiva. But King Daksha disliked Lord Shiva and his appearance
disgusted him. He broke off all relationships with his daugher and son-in-
law.

King Daksha planned a yagna, in which all were invited except for Shiva.
Uma was greatly hurt by her father`s rude behavior and she immolated
herself in yagna fire. However, she took re-birth again as Parvati and
married Shiva, thus peace was restored. It is believed that since then Parvati
or Uma comes on earth every year with Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati Laxmi
and her friends called Jaya and Bijaya, to visit her parent`s home during the
nine days of Navratri