Navratri: Festival of Fast, Feast and Devotion

 To experience the true spirit and devotion of Hindus, festival of navratri is the best occasion. Navratri means the Nine Auspicious Nights. All the devoted Hindus have very special regard for these nine nights. This is the occasion of testing your religious limits and feelings. Festival of Navratri is celebrated with great excitement and dedication. It is the festival of fast and feast. Every Hindu household looks forward for this festival. This festival is celebrated all over India with great fervor.

Meaning Of Navratri:

Festival of Navratri is observed to seek blessings of Goddess Shakti. These nine nights of Navratri correspond to nine forms of Goddess Durga. Nine forms of Hindu Goddesses are worshipped on each night. Names of forms of goddesses are Durga, Bhadrakali, Amba, Annapurna , Bhairavi, Sarvamangala, Chandika, Lalita and Bahavani. Nine forms of goddess signify nine traits which influence us. Hindu goddesses are regarded as “mother’ by her devotees.

Date of Navratri:

Festival of Navratri is observed in the month of Aswin according to Hindu calendar and corresponds to months of September or October according to Roman calendar.

Navratri Celebrations :

Hindu devotees strengthen there belief in God by observing fast for nine days in the name of each of the nine Hindu Goddesses. These fasts are meant for purifying body and soul. Another purpose of these fasts is to progress in spiritual way of our life. These days give us some time to introspect our soul.

Devotees spend their time in worship of Goddesses by singing bhajans, keertans and performing “Yagnas”. They take food only once at the time of sunset after evening prayers. This is the restricted food made up of only flour of dried fruits and devoid of some spices like onion, garlic, red chilies, turmeric and all the hot spices. This is to shun all the negative feelings created by these spices.

For Gujratis, it is the time of great merriment; they sing and perform Dandiya dance which is community dance. For Bengalis, it is the most auspicious period where they welcome their Goddess Durga with all grandeur. Each part of India has different way to celebrate this festival but the devotion is same.