Navratri

THE DIVINITY BEHIND THE NINE NIGHTS of NAVRATRI (DUSSEHRA 2022)

Navaratri is the most celebrated Hindu festival observed for nine nights of worship of nine different forms of Goddess Durga. In Northern and Eastern India, Navratri, also known as Shardiya Navratri, is celebrated with great fervour. The festival of Navratri is a nine-night war between good and evil that culminates in a victory for good on the tenth day. Mother Durga is revered as the goddess of strength, vigour, and knowledge during this time.

When is Navratri 2022 celebrated?

Beginning on September 26th, Monday, Navratri 2022 will culminate on October 4th, Tuesday, with the celebration of Vijaya Dasami.

Rituals of Navratri

Goddess Durga is worshiped for the first three of the nine nights of adoration as "Shakti," the goddesses of potency, for the next three nights as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and for the last three nights as Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and insight.

Devotees observe fasts throughout this time and typically limit their intake of grains, onions, meat, and alcohol. For these devotees who are fasting, special Navratri meals are provided in North India.

History behind Navratri

The origins of the Navratri festival may be traced all the way back to ancient India. It was thought that Mahishasura, a devotee of Shiva, had attained the ability to become immortal. With this, he began to kill innocent people. Mahesh, Vishnu, and Brahma all used their heavenly abilities to stop him. They therefore produced Durga, a formidable warrior deity. Durga and Mahishasura fought for nine days before Durga was able to behead him and win the conflict. This is the rationale behind Navratri's nine-day celebration!

The union of Uma at Shiva is the source of yet another tale in Hinduism that gave rise to the nine-day festival of Navratri. It was thought that King Daksha of the Himalayas' daughter Uma wed Shiva despite her father's wishes. According to the legend, Daksha insulted Shiva when Uma came to her house for the yagna. Uma, who was unable to hear her father's taunts, dove into a ceremonial fire. She was reborn as Sati and continued to be wedded to Shiva. She reconciled with her parents and spent nine days with them. This was then observed as Navratri.

Last but not least, historically speaking, Kshatriyas - one of India's classes - avoided war-related activities during the monsoon. They would worship Devi for nine days after the monsoon season ended before starting their war-related activities again. Today, Navratri is also observed to honour the nine days.

How is Navaratri Celebrated ?

Nine nights of dancing are part of Navaratri in western India. The garba and dandiya raas ancient dances of Gujarat are performed in circles by dancers wearing vibrant costumes. The Ramleela plays that take place all over Delhi during Navaratri are a highlight of the celebrations there. In South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh), Navaratri is known as Golu and is observed by the display of dolls and figurines. Navaratri is observed as Bathukamma in Telangana, South India. Goddess Maha Gauri, a manifestation of Goddess Durga, is the subject of this floral festival.

What is special about  Navaratri?

The event honours the myth of the goddess of war known as Durga, also known by the names Devi and Shakti. Hindus are said to receive an energy by worshiping Durga that dispels life's hardships. In Hindu religion, this is also the season of the lunar year when the universal mother and divine femininity are given special honour. Hinduism holds that the Creator is responsible for the world's stability. In order to preserve the world's life system, the Divine Mother constantly balances its energy.

The festival of Navratri is a reminder that change is unavoidable and that equilibrium is essential to maintaining both physical and mental stability.

What's special on Navaratri ?

Navratri fasts come in a wide variety. While others eat fruits and others have one meal a day, other people simply drink water for the whole of the nine days. Sabudana Vada, Sabudana Khichdi, Singhade Ka Halwa, and Kuttu Ki Puri are a few of the well-known Navratri culinary recipes.

During Navratri, regular table salt is avoided. When cooking during Navratri, substitute rock salt or sendha namak. Cumin or cumin powder, black pepper, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ajwain, black peppercorns, dry pomegranate seeds, kokum, tamarind, and nutmeg can all be used as spices. Additionally, some people use chaat masala, fresh coriander leaves, red chilli powder, dry mango powder, etc.

Most individuals who observe the Navratri fast eat vegetables including potatoes, sweet potatoes, arbi, kachalu, suran or yam, lemons, raw or semi-ripe pumpkin, raw pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes, bottle gourd, cucumber, carrots, etc.

During Navratri fasting, milk and dairy products including curd, paneer or cottage cheese, white butter, ghee, malai, and concoctions with milk and khoya are typically ingested.

Where do you get Navratri special Items Online in the UK ?

Lakshmi Stores, UK sells the pooja items online to celebrate Navratri with a great zeal and to make you feel divine and welcome the happiness, love, prosperity, wisdom is all the way behind. Buy Navaratri special Designed Diyas online from  Lakshmi Stores, UK and celebrate Navaratri with great enthusiasm.