Navratras basically represents a celebration of the Goddess Durga, with nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. Navratri is “Nine Nights festival”.
People consider the commencement of spring and autumn an important junction of atmospheric and solar influences, which is why they regard these periods as sacred for worshipping Divine Durga Maa. The astrophysical calendar determines the dates of the festival. Devotees worship all nine Avatars of Goddess Durga during the nine-day festival called Navratras.
Navratri is a very important and major festival in the western states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. During this festival, the traditional dance of Gujarat, called “Garba,” is performed with full zeal and enjoyment. The festival has a great value in North India as well, including Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and the northern state of Punjab.
The Legend of Navratras
- The legend behind Navratras is written in detail in the Markandeya Purana.
- Durga Saptashathi is a part of the Purana.
- It concerning the beginning and birth of Shakti and her victories over the slain demons.
- The myth of Navratras states that Mahishasura, the mighty demon, worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained the power of perpetuity (time without end).
- Soon, he started to kill and harass the innocent people and set out to win all three lokas (swarga loka, pataal loka, and bhu loka).
- The gods of Swargaloka prayed to Lord Shiva and appealed to protect them from this demon.
- Thus, the three almighty Trinity Gods – Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma united their power and created a female warrior known as Goddess Durga for the killing of demon Mahishasura.
- When Mahishasura saw the divine beauty of Goddess Durga, he became mesmerized
- The devil became so attracted to Goddess Durga that he asked her to marry him.
- The Goddess agreed to marry him on one condition — he had to defeat her in a fight.
- Mahishasura accepted the condition, and their fight continued for 9 evenings.
- At the end of the 9th evening, the Goddess destroyed Mahishasura.
- These nine nights are called Navratras because the Goddess defeated Mahishasura on the ninth evening.
- People celebrate the tenth day as “Vijayadashami” or “Dussehra,” symbolizing the victory of righteousness over evil.
