Navratri or Durga Puja is one of the biggest and longest Hindu festivals. There are four to five Navratris in a year, but the most important of them all is Sharada Navratri, which is celebrated in the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated over nine nights, so it is called Nav (nine) Ratri (nights). This festival of Goddess Durga is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India, but it is the most popular in West Bengal (Pashchim Bang). Worship of Goddess Durga is carried out during these nine days, so it is also known as Durga Puja (Pooja). It is also known as Navrathri, Navratram, Navratra, Durgotsav, Sharada Navratri, or Maha Navratri. Goddess Durga is the reincarnation of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. The worship of Goddess Durga is actually the worship of Shakti, the feminine power.
When is Navratri celebrated?
Navratri or Durga Puja starts on the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month, Ashwin, and ends on the 10th day of the same half. It ends with Vijayadashami, which is another big Hindu festival. It is also known as Sharad Navratri, and it is celebrated at the beginning of winter. This generally falls in September and/or October according to the Gregorian calendar.
Why Navratri or Durga Puja is celebrated:
Once upon a time, there was a demon king, Mahishasura. Mahish means buffalo. He worshiped Lord Brahma and got a boon from him that no male would kill him. After that, he started terrorizing the human beings and the deities in paradise. He defeated all the deities in the paradise. Therefore, Goddess Parvati took the form of Devi Durga. She was provided with the powers of all gods. After that, Devi Durga fought with her ferociously for nine days and nights and finally killed him. That is why the festival is celebrated for nine nights. That is why people worship Goddess Durga during Navratri.
When did Navratri or Durga Puja start?
It is believed that Lord Brahma advised Lord Rama to do this worship of nine nights to gain power before fighting with Ravana. After that, Lord Rama defeated Ravana. This is the first occasion of Durga Puja for nine nights.
How is Navratri or Durga Puja celebrated?
You are expected to worship Goddess Durga in nine different forms for these nine nights. People observe a fast of nine days, but this is not compulsory. Hindus bring idols of Devi Durga to their homes or to the pandals where the festival is celebrated publicly. Shakti is worshipped in the form of this idol. In Maharashtra, people worship a clay Kalash instead of an idol. This is known as Ghatasthapana. Youngsters play dandiya, also known as Garaba, during these nine nights. Garaba is a traditional dance of Gujarat, but it is very popular all over India. Cultural organizations, hotels, and clubs organize big events of Garaba where many celebrities play dandiya. Hindus do not eat non-vegetarian food during these nine days. The clay idols of the goddess are immersed in the water on the final day, which concludes the festival.
Nine forms of Durga are:
1. Shailputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghata
4. Kushmanda
5. Skandamata
6. Katyayani
7. Kalratri
8. Mahagouri
9. Siddhadatri
This is the biggest festival for Bengali Hindus and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is also a big festival in Gujarat. The Gujarat government organizes Navratri Festival Celebrations during the nine days of Navratri.