Nine special nights
From 15 to 24 October, Hindus around the world will take part in a nine-day celebration dedicated to the worship of the Mother Goddess Durga. Shardiya Navratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals with devotees worshipping each of the nine avatars of Maa Durga, one for each day (or night – Navratri translating as ‘nine nights’) of the festival period. It begins on the first day of the lunar month.
Shardiya Navratri is one of four Navratris that take place throughout the year, and along with Chaitra Navaratri in the spring, is one of the largest celebrations. It is marked from the Pratipada (or Sthapna) to the Navami tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha. This year Maa Durga’s savari (transl. ‘vehicle’) will be an elephant (as opposed to a lion), in accordance with the tradition that if the Goddess arrives on Earth on a Sunday or Monday, she comes upon an elephant, bringing with it plenty of rainfall and a subsequent bumper harvest in the year ahead.
The festival is marked around the world with circle dances such as garba and staging of folk theatre such as Ram Lila, and is celebrated with particular enthusiasm in the Maharashtra, Bengal and Gujarat states of India. People buy new clothes, prepare delicious sweets and exchange gifts with friends and family.
In Gujarat and elsewhere, Hindus wear colourful costumes and perform garba around an earthen lamp or an image of the Mother Goddess. More recently, this has taken on more secular and cultural connotations, with many celebrating Navratri both with and without the religious aspect.
Elsewhere, for example in Sri Lanka, variations on the celebrations include three days and nights each for the goddesses of strength, wealth and wisdom: Durga, Lakshmi and Sarawathi.
Peace, happiness and prosperity
There are two mythological tales behind the celebration. One describes the Goddess Durga killing a demon named Mahishasura, who had requested of Lord Brahma that no god, demon or living person could kill him. This sparked a reign of terror by Mahishasura until the Goddess manifested herself to put an end to it. A fierce battle – lasting nine days – ensued, during which the demon took different forms in a bid to cause confusion. On the tenth day, he took the form of a buffalo, and the Goddess Durga pierced him with her trident, killing him instantly and ceasing the terror on Earth.
The second story surrounds the Lanka war, in which Shri Ram worshipped the Goddess for nine days before his battle with Ravana to save Mother Sita from Lanka. He was blessed with victory on account of his devotion and, on the tenth day, defeated Ravana. This day is celebrated as Dussehra on Tuesday 24 October.
Festivals and fasting
Foods play an essential part in many festivals – both fasting and feasting. In the case of Navratri, Hindus fast for the nine-day period before breaking it for the ‘puja’ on the tenth day.
During the fast, certain foods are avoided including meat, regular staples and grains like rice, refined flour and wheat, oil, strong spices, and salt. On the other hand, fruits, dairy products, sweet potatoes and similar vegetables may be enjoyed.
On the morning of the puja (the worship ritual on the tenth day) devotees must wake early to take a holy bath before cleaning and decorating the place of worship. Often light, incense, flowers and food are offered to the Goddess on this day.
As part of the Vijayathasami ritual, people learn to write the alphabet in rice.
The nine incarnations
For each day of Navratri, an incarnation of the Goddess Durga is worshipped. First, there is the Goddess Shailputri, also known as the Daughter of Mountain. Her favourite colour is white and she is offered pure desi ghee in exchange for a blessing for a healthy life.
On the second day, celebrations are in honour of the Goddess Brahmacharini – known as the “mother of devotion and penance” – who is presented with foods made of sugar.
Day three is the Goddess Chandraghanta, destroyer of demons; day four the Goddess Kushmanda of the Cosmic Egg; and day five the Goddess Skandamata of motherhood and children.
On the sixth day, devotees worship Katyayni the warrior goddess, who has four hands to carry a sword, shield, lotus and trident. One of the most ferocious incarnations, Kalaratri, is celebrated on the seventh day, followed by Devi Mahagauri, who rides on a bull or white elephant and is offered coconut.
The final form of Goddess Durga is Siddhidhatri, who is sits on a lotus holding a mace, discus, book and lotus in her four hands. She receives sesame seeds for safety and security from unnatural events.
Navratri through the year
In addition to Shardiya Navratri in September or October, the festivals of Magh Navratri, Chaitra or Vasanta Navratri and Ashadha Navatri are celebrated throughout the year. It Is believed that those who worship the Goddess Durga with true devotion will be rewarded with peace, happiness and prosperity.
We wish happiness, peace and prosperity to our Hindu alumni and supporters this Shardiya Navratri!
Words by Anna Stephenson
Images by Amrita Rahman
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