Navratri, the festival of nine nights, is celebrated all over India in various ways. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is dedicated to the worship of Mother Durga, the Divine Mother of the universe, to receive Her blessings for material and spiritual welfare. This festival is celebrated during the first nine days of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Ashvin (September – October).
Origin
Navratri
Navratri is the period of nine days and nights when Mother Durga fought Mahishasura, a fearful demon, who had driven the gods out of their abodes. Mahishasura was invincible by the gods, and so they put together all their strengths to give rise to Devi, who is known by various names – Durga, Kali, Chamunda, Bhadrakali, Annapurna, Bhairavi, Tripura Sundari, Raja Rajeshwari, etc. Chamundeshwari battled Mahishasura over a period of nine days and nine nights. She finally killed him on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami, the day of victory. This day signifies new beginnings and is considered auspicious for starting new ventures.
Dashera
The tenth day following Navratri is celebrated in North India as Dashera. This is also a victory celebration, celebrating the slaying of the demon king Ravan by Lord Ram. Ravan was a great devotee of Lord Shiv and had accumulated great powers due to penance. He was misusing his powers to wreak havoc on gods and humans alike. The Supreme Lord appeared on earth as Shree Ram to end Ravan’s reign of terror. Ravan kidnapped Shree Ram’s Divine consort, Goddess Seeta. Shree Ram retaliated by going to war with Ravan, aided by an army of monkeys and bears. After a nine-day battle, Lord Ram killed Ravan on the tenth day, freeing the world from his domination. This event is celebrated all over North India as Dashera.
Celebration
Navratri celebration is split into three parts. The first three days are dedicated to Parvati, the Goddess of power and energy, the next three days are dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, and the last three days are dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning.
The festival is celebrated in different ways across India. In the northern parts of the country, a deity of the Goddess is made and worshipped for the nine days. On the tenth day, she is immersed into water, symbolizing her return to Divine abode.
Dandiya
In the state of Gujarat, during Navratri, the focus is not on the deity of the Goddess, but on a clay pot with a clay lamp burning inside it. This signifies the womb, which is representative of the Divine Mother and Her womb, the material universe. The festival is women-centric, and women tend to the pot, and make offerings to it. Evenings are for celebrations, where whole families and communities get together, and dance around the pot, celebrating life and its possibilities. This dance is known as “Garba,” and is traditionally performed by going around the pot with the clapping of hands. Over the years, this has taken over a new form, blending with the times and gaining popularity among the youth. This modified form of dance is now popular as “Dandiya.” The celebrations have now spread from Gujarat to the whole country, and Indian communities around the world. This festival has now become a reason for celebration for Indians all over the world.
Bommai Kolu
In South India, the festival is celebrated in a unique manner, with a display of dolls known as “Bommai Kolu.” The Kolu is a set of steps on which dolls made of clay or papier-mâché are kept. This set of steps represents the creation of the Goddess, with the lowest levels representing humans and our way of life. The higher levels represent those we emulate, such as saints and the celestial gods. The highest levels represent the Supreme Lord Himself. The kalash, a pot containing water, with a coconut at its mouth represents the Goddess, and prayers are offered every day to it. Again, this is a women-centric festival, with men having little or no role. The evenings are spent in celebration, visiting each other’s homes and exchanging sweets.
Durga Puja
The celebration in the Eastern part of the country is no less unique. Only the last three days of the festival are celebrated. The focus here is on Mother Durga, and beautiful deities of the Divine Mother are prepared for the festival months in advance. The deity of Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of Mahishasura, is brought with pomp and show and installed in a public area, where thousands throng to get Her glimpse. The celebration is full of gaiety, for it commemorates the victory of the Goddess over her archenemy. Her sisters, Lakshmi and Saraswati, as well as her sons, Ganesh and Kartik, usually accompany the Goddess. On the tenth day, the Goddess is taken to the seashore, where she is immersed in the sea, on her way to her abode. Durga Puja is one of the most prominent festivals in West Bengal and the other eastern states. In modern days, the festival has spread to other parts of India as well.
The tenth day marks the culmination of the festival, but this too is celebrated in various ways all over the country. While at most places, people bid goodbye to the Goddess, who has been their guest over the past nine days, there are other and more significant reasons for celebration too.
Vijaya Dashami
In the South, the tenth day is known as Vijaya Dashami, and is a celebration of victory, as well as the beginning of a new life. This day is considered extremely auspicious for beginning any new ventures, especially related to education. It is the day a child is first taught to write, thus beginning his education, with a ceremony known as ‘Vidyarambham.” Those who study the arts too begin their studies on this day after paying obeisance to their teachers.
Dashera
In the north, the tenth day is celebrated as “Dashera,” and celebrates the triumph of Shree Ram. The story of Shree Ram and his war against Ravan is enacted, and culminates in a spectacular display of victory. Huge figures of Ravan, his brother Kumbhakarn, and son Indrajit, are set on fire by an arrow aimed by the person playing the role of Shree Ram. These figures are filled with fireworks, and the sight is awesome as they go up in smoke! This performance is known as the “Ram Leela” and is conducted in every city, town and village in North India. It is a performance that evokes faith in the victory of good over evil, and takes one back to the time when the real Ravan was eliminated.
The festival of Navratri is a celebration of the triumph of the righteous, but it is also a celebration of womanhood, and the power of woman to create and give birth to a new life.