Navaratri translated from Sanskrit means "Nine nights" and the Hindu celebrate four Navaratri throughout the year, with two, Chaitra Navaratri, in the spring, and Shardiya Navratri, in the autumn, having the largest of celebrations.
Shardiya Navratri in 2022 begins on September 26th and ends October 5th. Navaratri honors the Goddess, Maa Durga, depicted into nine avatars. It is known when the demon Mahishasura was destroyed, symbolizing the crushing of evil by the forces of good. The story begins when Lord Brahma, flattered with Mahisharusa's dedication to him, gave Mahishasura immortality with one condition. This condition being that only a woman would be able to destroy him. Mahishasura, emboldened by his new immortality, did not believe that any woman could destroy him so thus began reeking havoc upon the earth and terrorizing people. None could stop him, not even the Gods.
Thus, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva came together and created the Goddess Durga to destroy Mahishasura. They armed her with several weapons but even still the battle raged on for ten days. She was able to destroy Mahishasura when he was turned into a buffalo.
Thus, the devotees of Navaratri worship Maa Durga through her nine avatars throughout the nine day festival with attempts to obtain her blessings. Each day of the festival is symbolized by a different incarnation, an avatar, of the Goddess. During this time, devotees honor the goddess ritualistic fasts, chant shokas (Mantras to chant during Navratri), wear new clothes, offer bhog (Navratri 2022 prasad list: Know different bhogs to offer Maa Durga and her nine avatars during the nine days), and cleanse their homes. In prayer, they ask Maa Durga for her favor so that they may be prosperous, have joy, and live lives of fulfillment.
On the tenth day of the celebration, known as Vijayadashami, clay statues of Maa Durga are emmersed withn water, whether it be a river, sea, or ocean. In addition, much dancing is done throughout the ten days, specifically the traditional dances of Garba and Dandiya Raas.
For more information:
No comments:
Post a Comment