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Navratri is a Festival devoted to the praise of a Hindu deity Shakti. The phrase
Navaratri basically indicates nine nights in Sanskrit, nava significance nine and
ratri significance night time. During these nine night time and ten days, nine types
of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The Tenth day is known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Significance
The starting of springtime and the starting of fall are two very essential junctions
of climate and solar energy impact. These two times are taken as holy possibilities
for the praise of the Divine Mother. The schedules of the festival are identified
according to the lunar schedule. Navarathri symbolizes celebration of Goddess Durga,
the symptom of Deity in way of Shakti [Energy or Power]. The Navarathri event or
‘Nine Night time festival’ becomes ‘ten times festival’ with the inclusion of the
last day, Vijayadashami which is its finale. On all these ten times, the various
types of Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga) are worshiped with enthusiasm and devotion.
Traditions of Navaratri
Navarathri is recognized five periods a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha
Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, and the Paush/Magha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharada
Navaratri of the 1 month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala
are very essential.
1. Vasanta Navaratri: Basanta Navaratri, also known as Vasant
Navaratri, is the event of nine periods devoted to the nine types of Shakti (Mother
Goddess) in the springtime period (March–April). It is also known as Chaitra Navaratri.
The nine periods of event is also known as Raama Navratri.
2. Gupta Navaratri: Gupt Navaratri, also known as Ashadha or Gayatri or Shakambhari Navaratri, is nine periods
devoted to the nine types of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the 1 month of Ashadha (June–July).
Gupta Navaratri is noticed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing stage of moon).
3. Sharada Navaratri: This is the most essential of the Navaratris. It is basically
known as Maha Navaratri (the Excellent Navratri) and is recognized in the 1 month
of Ashvina. Also known as sharad Navaratri,(September–October).
4. Paush Navaratri:
Paush Navaratri is nine periods devoted to the nine types of Shakti (Mother Goddess)
in the 1 month of Paush (December–January). Paush Navaratri is noticed during the
Paush Shukla Paksha (waxing stage of moon).
5. Magha Navaratri: Magha Navaratri,
also known as Gupta Navaratri, is nine periods devoted to the nine types of Shakti
(Mother Goddess) in the 1 month of Magha (January–February). Magha Navaratri is
noticed during the Magha Shukla Paksha..
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