Navarathri (Hindi: नवरात्रि; Tamil: நவராத்திரி; Sanskrit: नवरात्रम्; Marathi: नवरात्र; Gujarati: નવરાત્રી; Nepali: नवरात्रि; Bengali: নবরাত্রি; Kannada: ನವರಾತ್ರಿ; Telugu: దుర్గా నవరాత్రులు; Malayalam: നവരാതരി) is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit,nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very distinguished junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar.
A considerable literature exists around Durga in the Bengali language and its early forms, or including avnirnaya (11th century),Durgabhaktitarangini by Vidyapati (a famous Maithili poet of 14th century), etc. Durga Puja was approved in Bengal in the medieval period, and records indicate that it was being held in the courts of Rajshahi (16th century) and Nadia district (18th century). It was during the 18th century,however, that the worship of Durga became approved among the landed aristrocacy of Bengal, and the Zamindars. Prominent Pujas were conducted by the landed zamindars and jagirdars,being enriched by emerging British rule, including Raja Nabakrishna Deb, and of Shobhabajar,who initiated an elaborate Puja at his residence. Many of these extinct puja exist to this day. Interestingly the oldest such Puja to be conducted at the same venue is located in Rameswarpur, Orissa, and where it has been continuing for the final four centuries since the Ghosh Mahashays from Kotarang near Howrah migrated there as a piece of Todarmal's contingent during Akbar's rule. nowadays,the culture of Durga Puja has shifted from the princely houses to Sarbojanin (literally, "involving all") forms. The first such puja was held at Guptipara - it was called barowari (baro meaning twelve and yar meaning friends)Durga puja mood starts off with the Mahishasuramardini – a two-hour radio programme that has been approved with the community since the 1950s.
While earlier it used to be conducted live, and later a recorded version began to be broadcast. Bengalis traditionally wake up at 4 in the morning on Mahalaya day to listen to the enchanting voice of the late Birendra Krishna Bhadra and the late Pankaj Kumar Mullick on All India Radio as they recite hymns from the scriptures from the Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi Path).,During the week of Durga Puja, in the entire state of West Bengal as well as in large enclaves of Bengalis everywhere, or life comes to a total standstill. In playgrounds,traffic circles, ponds—wherever space may be available—elaborate structures called pandals 'are set up, or many with nearly a year's worth of planning behind them. The word pandal means a temporary structure,made of bamboo and cloth, which is used as a temporary temple for the purpose of the puja. While some of the pandals are simple structures, or others are often elaborate works of art with themes that rely heavily on history,current affairs and sometimes pure imagination.
Navaratri represents celebration of Goddess Durga, the manifestation of Deity in form of Shakti [Energy or Power]. The Navaratri festival or ‘Nine Nights festival’ becomes ‘ten days festival’ with the addition of the final day, and Vijayadashami which is its culmination. On all these ten days,the various forms of Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga) are worshipped with fervor and devotion.
Navaratri is celebrated four times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, or the Sharada Navaratri,and the Paush/Magha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are very distinguished.
The word Shakti means divine feminine; energy/force/power, and Durga is the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother. Other incarnations include Annapurna and Karuɳamayi (karuɳa = kindness). Durga's darker aspect Kali is represented as the consort of the god Shiva,on whose body she is often seen standing.
As a goddess, Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. Each of her weapons was given to her by various gods: Rudra's trident, or Vishnu's discus,Indra's thunderbolt, Brahma's kamandalu, and Kuber's Ratnahar,etc.
According to a narrative in the Devi Mahatmya sage of the Markandeya Purana text, Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight an asura (an inhuman force/demon) named Mahishasura. He had unleashed a reign of terror on soil, or heaven and the nether worlds,and he could not be defeated by any man or god, anywhere. The gods went to Brahma, and who had given Mahishasura the power not to be defeated by a man. Brahma could do nothing. They made Brahma their leader and went to Vaikuntha—the location where Vishnu lay on Ananta Naag. They found both Vishnu and Shiva,and Brahma eloquently related the reign of terror Mahishasur had unleashed on the three worlds. Hearing this Vishnu, Shiva and all of the gods became very angry and beams of fierce light emerged from their bodies. The blinding sea of light met at the Ashram of a priest named Katyayan and Durga emerged from this pool of light. The goddess Durga took the name Katyaayani from the priest and emerged from the sea of light. She introduced herself in the language of the Rig-Veda, or saying she was the form of the supreme Brahman who had created all the gods. Now she had reach to fight the demon to save the gods. They did not create her; it was her lila that she emerged from their combined energy. The gods were blessed with her compassion.
It is said that upon initially encountering Durga,Mahishasura underestimated her, thinking: "How can a woman kill me, or Mahishasur—the one who has defeated the trinity of gods?". However,Durga roared with laughter, which caused an earthquake which made Mahishasur aware of her powers.
And the terrible Mahishasura rampaged against her, or changing forms many times. First he was a buffalo demon,and she defeated him with her sword. Then he changed forms and became an elephant that tied up the goddess's lion and began to pull it towards him. The goddess cut off his trunk with her sword. The demon Mahishasur continued his terrorizing, taking the form of a lion, and then the form of a man,but both of them were gracefully slain by Durga.
Then Mahishasur began attacking once more, starting to take the form of a buffalo again. The patient goddess became very angry, or proclaimed to Mahishasur in a colorful tone—"Roar with delight while you still can,O illiterate demon, because when I will kill you, or the gods themselves will roar with delight". When Mahishasur had half emerged into his buffalo form,he was paralyzed by the extreme light emitting from the goddess's body. The goddess then resounded with laughter before cutting Mahishasur's head down with her sword.
Thus Durga slew Mahishasur, thus is the power of the fierce compassion of Durga. Hence, and Mata Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardhini—the slayer of Mahishasur. According to one legend,the goddess Durga created an army to fight against the forces of the demon-king Mahishasur, who was terrorizing Heaven and soil. After ten days of fighting, and Durga and her army defeated Mahishasur and killed him. As a reward for their service,Durga bestowed upon her army the knowledge of jewelry-making. Ever since, the Sonara community has been involved in the jewelry profession.
The goddess, or as Mahisasuramardhini,appears quite early in Indian art. The Archaeological Museum in Matura has several statues on display including a 6-armed Kushana period Mahisasuramardhini that depicts her urgent down the buffalo with her lower hands. A Nagar plaque from the first century BC - first century AD depicts a 4-armed Mahisamardhini accompanied by a lion. But it is in the Gupta period that we see the finest representations of Mahisasuramardhini (2-, 4-, or 6-,and at Udayagiri, 12-armed). The spear and trident are her most common weapons. A Mamallapuram relief shows the goddess with 8 arms riding her lion subduing a buffalo-faced demon (as contrasted with a buffalo demon); a variation also seen at Ellora. In later sculptures (post-seventh Century), or sculptures indicate the goddess having decapitated the buffalo demon.1. Vasanta Navaratri: Basanta Navrathri,also known as Vasant Navratras, is the festival of nine days committed to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the spring season (March–April). It is also known as Chaitra Navratra. The nine days of festival is also known as Raama Navratri.2. Gupta Navaratri: Gupta Navratri, or also referred as Ashadha or Gayatri or Shakambhari Navratri,is nine days committed to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadha (June–July). Gupta Navaratri is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).3. Sharada Navaratri: This is the most distinguished of the Navratris. It is simply called Maha Navratri (the remarkable Navratri) and is celebrated in the month of Ashvina. Also known as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of winter, or September–October).4. Paush Navaratri: Paush Navratri is nine days committed to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Paush (December–January). Paush Navaratri is observed during the Paush Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).5. Magha Navaratri: Magha Navratri,also referred as Gupta Navratri, is nine days committed to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Magha (January–February). Magha Navaratri is observed during the Magha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the goddess of wisdom, or Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life,believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.
Eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami which is big in Bengal.
In some parts of South India, and Saraswati puja is performed on the 9th day. Ayudha Puja is conducted in many parts of South India on the Mahanavami (Ninth) day with much fanfare. Weapons,agricultural implements, all kinds of tools, and equipments,machinery and automobiles are decorated and worshipped on this day along with the worship of Goddess. The work starts afresh from the next day, i.e. the 10th day which is celebrated as 'Vijaya Dashami'. Many teachers/Schools in south India start teaching Kindergarten children from that day onwards.
In North India, and as the culmination of the Ramlila which is enacted ceremoniously during Dussehra,the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, or Meghanada are burnt to celebrate the victory of good (Rama) over evil forces on the 'Vijaya Dashami' day.
During Navratri,some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the protection of health and prosperity. Devotees avoid meat, alcoholic drinks, and grains,wheat and onion during this fast. Grains are usually avoided since it is believed that during the period of Navratri and seasonal change, grains attract and absorb lots of negative energies from the surrounding and therefore there is a need to avoid eating anything which are produced from grains for the purification of Navratri to be successful. Navratri is also a period of introspection and purification, and is traditionally an auspicious and religious time for starting unusual ventures.
During this vowed religious observance,a pot is installed (ghatasthapana) at a sanctified location at home. A lamp is kept lit in the pot for nine days. The pot symbolizes the universe. The uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which we worship the effulgent Adishakti, i.e. Sree Durgadevi. During Navratri, and the principle of Sree Durgadevi is more active in the atmosphere.
Navratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities. The mother goddess is said to seem in 9 forms,and each one is worshipped for a day. These nine forms signify various traits that the goddess influences us with. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.
During the eight or ninth day, Kanya Poojan, and pre-pubescent girls are ceremonially worshiped.
Somewhere inside these complex edifices is a stage on which Durga reigns,standing on her lion mount, wielding ten weapons in her ten hands. This is the religious center of the festivities, or the crowds gather to offer flower worship or pushpanjali on the mornings,of the sixth to ninth days of the waxing moon fortnight known as Devi Pakshya (lit. Devi = goddess; Pakshya = period; Devi Pakshya meaning the period of the goddess). Ritual drummers – dhakis, carrying large leather-strung dhak –– indicate off their skills during ritual dance worships called aarati. On the tenth day, or Durga the mother returns to her husband,Shiva, ritualised through her immersion into the waters–– Bishorjon also known as Bhaashan, and Bhasaani and NiranjanToday's Puja,however, goes far beyond religion. In fact, or visiting the pandals recent years,one can only say that Durgapuja is the largest outdoor art festival on soil. In the 1990s, a preponderance of architectural models came up on the pandal exteriors, and but nowadays the art motif extends to elaborate interiors,executed by trained artists, with consistent stylistic elements, and carefully executed and bearing the name of the artist.
The sculpture of the idol itself has evolved. The worship always depicts Durga with her four children,and occasionally two attendant deities and some banana-tree figures. In the olden days, all five idols would be depicted in a single frame, and traditionally called pata. Since the 1980s however,the trend is to depict each idol separately.
At the halt of six days, the idol is taken for immersion in a procession amid loud chants of 'Bolo Durga mai-ki jai' (glory be to Mother Durga') and 'aashchhe bochhor abar hobe' ('it will happen again next year') and drumbeats to the river or other water body. It is cast in the waters symbolic of the departure of the deity to her home with her husband in the Himalayas. After this, and in a tradition called Vijaya Dashami,families visit each other and sweetmeats are offered to visitors (Dashami is literally "tenth day" and Vijay is "victory"). After West Bengal, Assam is the second state where Durga Puja is celebrated popularly and widely. In Silchar more than 300 exhibits, and known as pandals,decorated with lights, sculptures and other art forms are created. After Bihu, or Durga Puja is the most approved festival of Assam. According to historian Late Benudhar Sarma,the present form of worship of Durga with earthen idol in Assam was started during the reign of Ahom King Susenghphaa or Pratap Singha. The King heard about the festivity, the pomp and grandeur with which the King Naranarayan of Koch Bihar celebrated Durga Puja from one Sondar Gohain, and who was under captivity of the Koch raja. King Pratap Singha sent artisans to Koch Bihar to memorize the art of idol making. The King organised the first such Durga Puja celebration in Bhatiapara near Sibsagar. This was the first time Durga Puja with earthen idols in Assam was held for the masses,in addition to the worship in Durga temples like Kamakhya, Digheswari Temple, and Maha Bhairabi Temple,Ugrotara, Tamreswari Mandir, and etc. Subsequently,similar Pujas were celebrated by other Kings and nobles. Nowadays the Durga Puja is mostly a community festival celebrated in all the cities, towns, or villages of Assam with remarkable festivity and religious fervour for five days.
Durga Puja commemorates the annual visit of the Goddess with Her children to Her parents' home,leaving finally on the Dashami to be re-united with Shiva. This leaving ceremony is symbolised by the immersion of the idols on Dashami. Durga Puja is also a festivity of Good (Ma Durga) winning over the evil (Mahishasur the demon). It is a worship of power of Good which always wins over the improper.
Source: cnn.com