Why Navratri is So Significant in Our Life? Strengthen Your GK with Essential Facts of Navratri to Make it More Purposeful!!

Abstract:

Navratri, a festival celebrated in India, is dedicated to Devi Durga, the goddess of power and strength. People celebrate the festival for nine days, symbolizing the nine forms of the goddess, also known as Navdurga. The festival derives its name from two Sanskrit words “Nava” meaning nine and “Ratri” meaning night.

During Navratri, Hindus worship the divine feminine energy of the universe, the mother goddess Durga. They believe she is the driving force behind creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees seek her blessings, protection, and grace by invoking her.

Keywords: 

Navratri, Festivals, Blessings, Divine, Worship, Dandia, Tradition, Culture, Utsav

Takeaways 

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the following

1. What is Navratri?

2. What's the significance of the Festival Navratri?

3. When is Navratri Celebrated?

4. Why is it celebrated twice a year?

5. What's the History of Navratri?

6. How Navratri is Celebrated ?

7. What's the colour of Navratri symbolise why?

8. What are major activities performed in different states and territories?

9. Conclusions

10. FAQs

1. What is Navratri?

Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. Gujarat, however, is the only state that erupts into a nine-night dance festival, perhaps the longest in the world. Each night, all over the state, villages and cities alike, people gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti.

2. What's the significance of the Festival Navratri?

'Navratri' means 'nine nights.' 'Nava' means 'nine,’ and 'Ratri' means 'night.'

Night provides rest and rejuvenation. During the night, you turn inwards through sleep, and you wake up feeling refreshed and rested in the morning. In the same way, Navratri or the ‘nine nights’ is that time of the year when you get the chance to experience deep rest. This deep rest brings freedom from all kinds of botherations, deep relaxation, and creativity.

When it comes to the importance of Navratri, like every other Indian festival, the core message remains the same – the victory of good over evil – but the stories and the narratives differ. Even across the geography of India, while the eastern and north-eastern states refer to the celebrations as Durga Puja, for the northern and western belt, it is a nine-night festival that is observed to celebrate the victory of Rama over Ravana.

Fasting, meditation, prayers, and other spiritual practices performed during this period help bring about this deep rest. Even refraining from over-indulging in sense objects during this time aid the process of attaining deep rest.

Religion and tradition aside, a garba circle can take on a surprising spiritual power. Women often give up certain eatables during these nights, which can be quite a purifying experience, if done right. It is a time for even the most traditional and housebound women to be out of the house and whirling, uninhibited, towards the divinity that hides within her own body. Many of the songs begin slow and gradually speed up, sending the dancers into a trance, especially when the music and dance is in its rawest form. When you come to a garba, wherever in Gujarat you may find yourself for Navratri, imagine this: A circle, or concentric circles, moving around the central representation of a universal creative force, the source of life; everybody performing the same step; a mandala of energetic potential; the Mother Goddess unleashed.

3. When is Navratri Celebrated?

Vibrant Navratri is celebrated for nine nights, beginning on the first day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Ashwin, roughly corresponding to dates in the Gregorian calendar in September/October. This also usually coincides with the end of the rainy season. Dashera / Vijayadashami is the tenth day of Ashwin.

Navratrii is one of the most significant festivals of the Hindus celebrated all across the world. This is also one of the most ancient festivals dating back to the times immemorable. This year the nine-day festival would be observed from October 15, 2023 to October 24, 2023. 

Forms of shakti worshipped during this festival include Durga, Bhadrakali, Amba, Annapoorna Devi, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani and Mookambika, respectively.

4. Why Navratri is celebrated twice a year?

This is owing to the fact that the real Durga Puja/Navratri falls in Spring and is called Vasant Navaratri. The mythological reason given for Sharadotsav is that it was Rama who invoked Durga for Victory during autumn. 

Change in the Weather- Navratris occurs at the intersection of two seasons. The first one is observed at the changeover between winter and summer, while the second is observed in the fall, when summer gives way to winter.

5. What's the history of Navratri?

Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival commemorating the return of Lord Siva to Earth. It's also known as Vijayadashami, Dussehra, and Durga Puja. Celebrations begin on the first day (Dasyu Nakshatra) with fasting and prayer before sunrise. On the second day (Virat Kalyanam), people dress in traditional clothes and visit temples or mosques to worship Lord Siva or Goddess Durga. On the third day (Garuda Paksha), devotees fast from dawn until noon and eat only fruits dipped in milk or curdled milk products. They then go door-to-door requesting food for themselves and others fasting during Navratri.On the fourth day (Sravana Ekadashi), followers offer prayers at various shrines throughout India while wearing new costumes tailored for this occasion. The fifth day (Madhyama Ekadashi) is dedicated to worshipping Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Bala Ganapati, Viṣṇu, Śivāstrasthāna Vidhiyilakshmī temple deities according to their respective astrological signs; Hindus believe that these deities will bless them with good luck during Navratri festivities. 

6. How Navratri is Celebrated ?

Each night the village or urban neighborhood gathers to perform a puja to one of the nine forms of Goddess. The nine nights are also broken up into sections of three; the first is for Durga, the goddess who destroyed an evil force represented by the demon Mahishasura, and who destroys human impurities; the second is for Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; the third is for Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and art. It is a time to celebrate fertility and the monsoon harvest, represented by a mound of fresh soil in which grains are sown.

After the puja begins the music; it is unmistakable to those who are familiar with the style and irresistible to many. People begin to dance in a circle, whirling away till late into the night. It is not uncommon to find dancers with swords or lit flames and other spectacles.

The traditional dance steps are simple, though over the years people have been inventing more complex steps. Similarly, the music was traditionally acoustic, principally composed of drums and singing, but most people now use amplified sound systems or a blend in the form of a live band with modern instruments. Vadodara is a good place to find the full range of these styles, traditional to modern, acoustic to amplified, simple to complicated, each one represented in its extreme somewhere in the city.

The tenth day, Dashera, also known as Vijayadashami in South India, is celebrated by doing a puja to bless one's vehicle, and is also the day to buy new vehicles, if necessary. It 's also celebrated, probably after getting up far later than usual, by unabashedly eating lots of fafda, a salty fried crunchy snack and jalebi, a sweet fried sticky snack.

7.  What's the colour of Navratri symbolise why?

Navratri festivities are filled with vibrant colors visible in the decorations, dresses and designs all around you. Have you ever wondered about the significance of these colors?  Yes, there is a pattern and meaning behind each color that dazzles the eyes.

Navratri festivities are filled with vibrant colors visible in the decorations, dresses and designs all around you. Have you ever wondered about the significance of these colors?  Yes, there is a pattern and meaning behind each color that dazzles the eye.

Nine colors of Navratri 2023

Every year, while the colors remain the same, the order varies depending on the day Navratri falls. Here is a list of the Navratri colors 2023 in a snapshot:

• First Day (15th October) - Pratipada - White
• Second Day (16th October) - Dwitiya - Red
• Third Day (17th October) - Tritiya - Royal Blue
• Fourth Day (18th October) - Chaturthi - Yellow
• Fifth Day (19th October) - Panchami - Green
• Sixth Day (20th October) - Shashti - Orange/ Yellow
• Seventh Day (21st October) - Saptami - Green/ Blue/ Purple
• Eighth Day (22nd October) - Ashtami - Red/ Maroon
• Ninth Day (23rd October) - Navami - White/ Gold

Significance of Navratri colors

Each of the nine colors of Navratri symbolizes a distinct quality of the Devi.

1. White: The white color represents peace, purity, and innocence.
2. Red: Red symbolizes action, passion, and perseverance.
3. Royal Blue: Royal blue represents power and authority.
4. Yellow: Yellow color represents energy, cheerfulness, and luminosity.
5. Green: The green color symbolizes relaxation.
6. Orange/ Yellow: The color orange symbolizes action, passion, and creativity.
7. Green/ Blue/ Purple: The green/ blue /purple color symbolizes rest, calmness, and wisdom.
8. Red/ Maroon: The red/ maroon is the color of sacrifice which brings true fulfillment.
9. White/ Gold: The color white/ gold symbolizes purity, perfection, and prosperity.

Aren’t the various names and forms of the Devi intriguing and fascinating? So, when you attend your celebrations this year keep these color codes in mind and sport a different outfit every day with the accompanying accessories.

8. What are major activities performed in different states and territories?

Fun facts on Navratri and Dussehra you must know Fun facts on Navratri and Dussehra you must know

The ten-day celebrations are observed nationwide with a variety of fun activities. We have collated a list of major activities below.

1. Garba and Dandiya

Garba and Dandiya night are intrinsic to the festival of Navratri, therefore it wouldn’t be complete without both. People reenact the conflict between the goddess Durga and the demon, and in this demonstration, they playfully fight with Dandia.

Moreover, Garba is performed before Arti, generally to Bhajans, whereas Dandia is performed after Arti, commonly at night, with pure devotion, joy, and love as the core of the celebration.

To the beats of the tabla and dholak, the people joyfully dance while striking bamboo sticks with bright decorations. Since the dandiya depicts the goddess Durga’s sword, this dance style is known as the “Sword Dance.”

For the Dandia night, boys wear kurta pyjamas and girls wear Ghagra Cholis with odhnis. Not only do people get together to play dandiya and Garba for the warmth and sense of togetherness with their family and friends, but also out of devotion to the goddess and a sense of gratitude for the blessings of their life.

The Garba dance

Concept:

• Garba  is a dance form that originated in the Gujarat region. Traditionally it is performed during the nine-day Hindu festival Navaratri.
• Either the lamp (the Garba Deep) or an image of the Goddess Durga is placed in the middle of  concentric rings and the people dance around the centre, bending sideways at every step, their arms making sweeping gestures, each movement ending in a clap.

Traditionally, Garba is performed around an earthen pot (garbo) with a lamp inside, which is called a 'Garbha Deep.' This representation is symbolic. The lantern symbolizes life - the fetus in the womb, in particular. The pot itself is a symbol of the body, within which divinity resides.

Dancers move around in circles, making circular movements with their hands and feet around this earthen pot. This gesture symbolizes the circle of life, which moves from life to death to rebirth, leaving only the Mother Divine unmoved, unchanging and invincible.

The Garba costume consists of a three-piece – the choli or blouse, chaniya or long skirt and an embellished dupatta. Embroidery and mirrorwork may be found on the multihued attire, making the atmosphere vibrant and lively. The men wear a kediyu (a full-sleeved kurta that is tight at the chest and flares like a frock at the waist) with kafni pajamas (a multi-pleated pant that tapers towards the bottom) and a pagdi or turban.

The Dandiya dance

In this dance, both men and women energetically dance with colorful and decorated bamboo sticks, striking them to the beats of instruments like the dholak and tabla. The dance is a beautiful way of re-creating the battle that took place between the Devi and the demon.

The colorful sticks used during Dandiya represent the sword of Goddess Durga, which is why this dance form is also known as 'The Sword Dance.' The sounds of the instruments playing are reminiscent of the metallic clangs that may be heard on the battlefield.

Women wear ghagra (long skirt), the choli (blouse) and odhni (shawl). Men wear traditional dhotis and kurtas. Mirrorwork is, again, a signature design of these costumes.

9. Conclusions

From Maa Durga's nine avatars, we learn lessons of strength, discipline, mindfulness, and determination, which are all essential qualities for financial success. Navratri reminds us that like the goddess herself, we have the power to overcome financial obstacles and achieve our financial goals.

Therefore, people celebrate and worship all forms of the Goddess enthusiastically. They make a lot of grand statues and carry out processions in her honour. In a lot of places, we see that people host fairs. Most importantly, Navratri brings people together from all over the country and symbolizes diversity and culture.

10. FAQs

Q.1. Does fasting help you lose weight or make you weak instead?

Ans. : Yes, if your fasts are taken care of with an appropriate diet plan that fulfils the necessary nutrition requirements, your weight loss will be healthy and not out of weakness. But, fasting does not mean you just go ahead and binge eat in order to be energetic on light foods. It will all make sense only when you have your calories balanced.

Q 2. How to get enough nutrients from Navratri diet foods?

Ans.: For carbs you can have Sabudana, kuttu ke atta ka stuffs, roasted makhana, peanuts, chiwda, etc. For protein, dairy products such as milk, paneer, are good.

You can use ghee to cook all your foods in order to get healthy fats. And for the vitamins and minerals you can have fruits and veggies that are allowed during fasting. This way you can get all the required nutrition and feel full and energetic throughout the day.

Q.3. What is the main purpose of Navratri?

Ans.: The legend associated with Navratri speaks about the great battle between the powerful demon Mahishasura and Goddess Durga. … Each year, on each day of Navratri, an incarnation of “Goddess Durga” is worshipped to celebrate the day of her victory over Mahishasura, and the ultimate victory of 'Good over Evil.”

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