Nine Night sof Detoxification: Celebration of Good over Evil
Navratri and Dussehra
Nine nights of Sharad Navaratri and Tenth Day of Vijayadashami /Dussehra has major significance in Hinduism. This Festival commemorates the victory of feminine power and divinity of Goddess Durga (Shakti), her powerful win over evil. These are Auspicious Nine Nights of Detoxification and Celebrations of Good over Evil, in all parts of India.
Strict fasting and chanting of Mantras and prayers are observed all over India. There are small tales from Puranas(Holy Scriptures) about each nine avatars of Goddess Durga and her win over evil powers in each tale.
Nine Avatars of Goddess Durga worshiped consecutively for nine days are:
- Shailputri
- Brahmacharini
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandamata
- Katyayani
- Kaalratri
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidatri
10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. Lord Rama’s win over Ravana. Again a win of good over evil.
Navaratri is celebrated in different ways in India’s various regions. Beautiful Idol of Goddess Durga dressed in Red Silk Saree and Jewelry and Tiara, riding a lion indicating control over power, will and determination is set up in decorated stage of pandal(colorful, decorated cloth camps).
In eight arms she is depicted as Shakti with Her power weapons:
Lotus, Trident, Sword, Shell, Spade (Bow/Arrow), Chakra, Gada and Her palm with sign of “Om” for Blessings.
For some devotees Navaratri is the time of strict fasting whole day and one vegan meal at night. They abstain from drinking alcohol and eating meat/eggs. They depend only on Satvik (Pure vegan)food, no meat or meat products /(Tamasi food).
Completely vegetarian diet that too one time of day. Rest of the day they relish delicious food especially made for vegans. Fruits and juices part of their regular diet for 9 days.
For some parts it is pooja and grand celebrations, gatherings , dressing-up and dancing to the tunes of Goddess (Devi ) folk songs and latest Bollywood tunes, in prayer/ pooja pandals which are artistically decorated and lighted along with huge clay Devi idols, beautifully dressed, ornaments as bangles, trinkets, amulets and tiara, gemstone jewelry and with all Her weapons and in action: slaying Evil powers (Mahishasura).
In western states of India, there is special dance form known as “Garba Dance”. All devotees devote their time, all decked-up in beautiful, bright colored mirror work and embroidery work clothing known as “chanya-choli- dupattas” and “Churidar Pajama-Kurta-Sherwani-jacket”, necklace, jewelry. People perform dance to the catchy tunes of folk songs in rhythmic fashion in circles, with precise steps, catching up with the beats of “Dandiyas” (decorated wooden stick )in prayer camps. Its mesmerizing!
People spend their days and nights singing religious songs (Goddess Durga prayers, Mantras and Bhajans) in Goddess pandals (camps) in the various localities of city , with an idol of Goddess on a dilapidated stage, overlooking devotees, as if showering Her Blessings! Different states celebrating the same festival in diverse style! This is true Heart of India! I am drifting miles away as I type these lines here!
All nine forms of Devi Durga is worshipped everyday during Navaratri. This year it starts on 7th Day of October 2021 and Navaratri festival comes to an end for this year on October 16, 2021 when Dussehra festival will mark the Vijayadashami. Devotees will wait to light earthen lamps, to commemorate return of Lord Rama, from exile on Deepavali on November 4, 2021.
The Festival dates may vary each year in accordance with Hindu Tithi Panchang (Hindu Calendar). Though the devotees and their enthusiasm to celebrate all these festivals is unstoppable.
Religious festivals also give devotees chance to live a life full of hope, in spite of all adversities, that arise in their daily lives and they look forward, to pass on the rituals to younger generations. Young devotees in turn, celebrate festivals with same zeal, add some dash of sparkle and try to remember all the mythological importance behind celebrations and carry the legacy forward!
