Navratri
Nine nights of worship dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
तिथी व समय: The most widely observed is Sharad Navratri, nine nights starting from the new moon of the Hindu month of Ashwin, usually in September or October, culminating in Dussehra.
महत्व एवं कथा (Significance)
Navratri ("nine nights") honours the Goddess Durga in her nine forms, the Navadurga, each worshipped on one of the nine nights — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. It celebrates Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of the divine feminine over evil.
The festival is observed differently across India: garba and dandiya raas nights in Gujarat, elaborate Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal culminating in Vijayadashami, and Golu doll displays in the south. Many observe a Navratri fast for all nine days.
पूजा विधि व परंपराएँ (Rituals & Customs)
- Setting up a Kalash (sacred pot) and Ghatasthapana on the first day
- Worshipping a different form of Durga each night
- Garba and dandiya raas dances (especially in Gujarat)
- Fasting for some or all nine days
- Kanya Puja on Ashtami/Navami, honouring young girls as forms of the Goddess