Navratri is a Hindu religious festival celebrated for nine nights and 10 days. This year, Navratri will run from October 7 to October 15. Usually, this Navratri falls in September-October. Hence this Navratri is also known as Sharad Navratri. This is the most important Navratri after the completion of Pitru Shradh which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour all over the country. Navratri is considered to symbolize the victory of good over evil. According to the Mahakal Samhita, four Navaratris fall in the Vedic calendar – Sharad Navratri, Magha Gupta Navratri, Chaitra Navratri and Ashadha Gupta Navratri.

The festival of Navratri is celebrated with great rituals. In different parts of India, there is a different way of celebrating it. Navratri has arrived, causing a wave of festivities across the country. It represents the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Before this, many festivals came but all were battling the challenges of COVID-19. Due to this, they could not mix their spirit in those festivals. But now the conditions are better so that this festival will increase the enthusiasm of the people.

Know About Its History, Importance and Day

History of Navratri 2021

According to Hindu legends and Vedic astrology predictions, its history is associated with the demon king Mahishasura. When Mahishasura’s tyranny had increased on the earth, Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva then combined their powers to create Goddess Durga to defeat the demon king Mahishasura. Mahishasura was given a boon by Lord Brahma that no one could defeat him. Only a woman can defeat him. There was a 15-day long battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. Finally, Goddess Durga killed him with her trident on the day of Mahalia.

Significance and Clander of Navratri 2021

It is said that Lord Shiva allowed his wife Goddess Durga to see her Mata for nine days. At that time, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. Hence Goddess Durga aka Kali is depicted as a symbol of Shakti – the ultimate power. According to the old legend, the eternal divine power of Maa Durga can never be created or destroyed.

The nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped with great grandeur. On the 10th day, people celebrate Vijayadasami i.e. Dussehra by burning huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna. Thus, it symbolizes victory over evil. It is a Sanskrit word. The word ‘Navratri’ means ‘nine nights. For these nine days ‘nine forms of Maa Durga’ are worshipped. Although Navratri comes 4 times a year mostly it is celebrated twice – Chaitra Navratri (March-April) and Sharad Navratri (September-October). Navratri which is celebrated during autumn is one of the most awaited Navratri. Because Shardiya Navratri falls in the auspicious month of Ashwin, according to the Hindu calendar.

The days, when Mata Durga is worshipped:-

• 1 Day   – Ghatasthapana, Shailaputri Puja
• 2 Day   – Brahmacharini Puja
• 3 Day   – Chandraghanta Puja
• 4 Day   – Kushmanda Puja
• 5 Day   – Upang Lalita Vrat, Skandamata Puja
• 6 Day   – Katyayani Puja
• 7 Day   – Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja
• 8 Day   – Mahashtami, Durgashtami, Kumari Puja, Mahagauri Puja
• 9 Day   – Maha Navami, Navami Homa, Siddhidatri Puja
• 10 Day – Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

How Did These Nine Names Of Durga Mata Come?

1. Shailputri: Goddess Parvati is known as Shailputri. Shail literally means mountain. She was called Shailputri because she was born as a daughter in the house of the mountain king Himalaya.

2. Brahmacharini: Brahma means penance. Brahmacharini is said to be the goddess of severe penance. Mata Parvati had done severe penance for years to get Lord Shiva as a groom. Hence the Mata was known as Brahmacharini.

3. Chandraghanta: The crescent-shaped Tilak is seated on the head of Goddess Maa. That is why he is also known as Chandraghanta.

4. Kushmanda: The power to create the universe pervades the goddess. He holds the universe within himself from the abdomen to the egg. Hence Matrani is known by the name Kushmanda.

5. Skandmata: Mata Parvati is the Mata of Kartikeya. Skanda is also a name of Kartikeya. In this way the Mata of Skanda is called Skandamata.

6. Katyayini: When the atrocities of Mahishasura increased on earth? Then Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh all three gave their share of their brilliance and created a goddess for the destruction of Mahishasura. Maharishi Katyayan was the first to worship the goddess during that time. Hence she was named Katyayani.

7. Kalratri: The seventh form of Goddess Bhagwati is called Kalratri. Kaal means crisis! Which has the power to end all kinds of trouble. This is called Mata Kalratri. The nature of Mata Kalratri is very scary to see, but she always gives auspicious results. Kaalratri is the one who kills the demons. Worshipping this form of Mata destroys all the troubles.

8. Mahagauri: When Mata did hard penance to get Lord Shiva that she had turned black. Then Mahadev was pleased with his penance and accepted her as his wife. Then Shiva washed her body with the holy water of Gangaji. After this, the body of the Mata had become very radiant like an electric light. Its form was known as Mahagauri.

9. Siddhidatri: She is called Siddhidatri because she bestows all siddhis to her devotees. It is believed that worshipping them leads to the worship of other goddesses. Even the most difficult tasks of a devotee become easy.

Navratri Celebrations:

People keep fast during these nine days of Navratri. Cultural programs are organized. People also portray the story of Lord Rama in it. On the eighth day i.e. (Ashtami Puja), Kanya Puja is performed. In this, minor girls are worshipped and given prasad, food and sweets. On these days, one who worships Maa Durga with true devotion, all his wishes are fulfilled. Some communities also organize Dandiya and Garba events.