9 things to know about Navratri

1. A Festival of 9 days

Navratri is celebrated during the second half of the year and is prominent among Hindus.

Celebrated in a period of 9 days with unique rituals, traditions and cultures.

2. Dance forms

Western part of India celebrates with Dandiya and Garba, South of India celebrated with Golu, Bommai Kolu which involves the festive display of dolls. In West Bengal, Navratri is associated with sandals and huge, expertly designed and crafted idols of Goddess Durga. North India celebrates Navratri by fasting for nine days.

3. 9 days of 9 Divine Goddess

It is believed that each of these Nine Goddesses has immense power and when combined, they all form Goddess Durga.

The nine Goddesses include- Shailaputri, Brahmacharini. Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

4. Navratri occurs 5 times a year

Navratri appears in 5 auspicious months of the year and can be observed during the month of March/April, June, September/October, December, February.

Sharad Navratri is celebrated widely in the month of September.

5. Victory of Durga over Mahishasura

Mahishasura and Goddess Durga fought for nine days and nine nights and finally, on the tenth day, Goddess Durga emerged victorious by killing the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura.

6. Ayudha Pooja on 9th Day

People all over worship their livelihood and instruments of work. Popularly known as Ayudha Pooja, one can see people worshipping work equipment, instruments, Books, electronic gadgets such as Computers, Vehicles and Machineries

7. Lord Rama and Ravana

The 10th day after Navratri is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Ravan who possess 10 bad qualities that represents his 10 heads.

Huge effigies of Ravan are burnt and is observed among the Ram Leela.

8. Shakthi or Feminine Power

Shakthi or Feminine power is celebrated or worshipped during the sacred time of Navratri. This includes, but is not limited to major Hindu Goddesses such as Durga and kali.

9. Dusshera and Diwali

Diwali is celebrated twenty days after, as the day Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya as the king. Diwali is known as the festival of lights, signified through diyas, which were lit to guide Lord Rama’s back to his kingdom, after 14 years of exile.