HAPPY NAVARATRI

NAVARATRI

Navaratri is the greatest of all the Hindu festivals. Navaratri,the Sanskrit word means nine nights. This festival is celebrated all over India following different regional customs during the Ashwin month of the Hindu calendar.
Nine forms of Devi Durga i.e. female deity is worshipped during this festival of nine nights. In the states of Kashmir,Punjab,Haryana,Bihar,West Bengal "Kanya Puja" or "Kumari Puja" is performed where nine young virgins who are considered as symbolical representation of the goddess are worshipped. Clothes,sweets or anything that is devoted to goddess is gifted to these girls. In someplaces this worship is performed on Ashtami,the eight day of the festival.
People of different states follow their different customs in observing the festival. In Gujarat,for nine nights, women and girls decked in finery,dance the garba around an earthen lamp or a kalash, symbol of divine power,decorated with flowers and betel leaves and has its mouth covered with a coconut. They sing and dance clapping their hands in rhythmic movements or do the Dandiya dance (stick dance), holding two sticks and striking them to the rhythm of the music.
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days of the festival are dedicated to Lakshmi, Goddess of Beauty and Prosperity,the next three days to Durga, Goddess of Righteousness and the last three days to Saraswati,Goddess of Music and Learning. These goddesses are the consorts of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma respectively. A special platform is decorated with the clay figurines of these gods and goddesses. The main room of worship contains a pitcher made of clay,silver or copper, depending on the devotee’s financial standing. The pitcher is placed at the centre of the room its mouth covered with a coconut.
In Bengal Durga Puja is performed during this time. Goddess Durga is worshipped for five days as it is believed that she relieved the earth from the demons,for killing the demon called Durg, she came to be called Durga. The culmination of the Navratri festival is Mahanavami when the goddess is worshipped as Durga in the form of Aparajita and sugarcane stalks are offered to her. Sugarcane is harvested at that time. People of every part of India celebrate the Navaratri festival at its best,enjoy at its fullest. Giving gifts and sending wishes for a happy festival is a very common tradition.

Posted in: beautiful,Blessings,Durga,Festival,God,Greetings,Happy,Joy,Navaratri