Navratri 2009
Navratri is a festival
of Hindus celebrated with devotion, love and fervour all
over India. It is also called as Navratras. The mood of
Navratri is very colourful & unique. It incorporates
veneration along with commemoration by means of song and
dance. Navratri basically means "Nine Nights"
("Nav" meaning nine and "Ratri" meaning
nights). These nights are devoted to the reverence of
Goddess Durga (Maa Durga) who exists in many forms and is
the manifestation of the absolute energy that pervades the
Universe. During these days and nights prayers are offered
to Mother Goddess. For the devout these days are the sacrosanct
for it is during these days when Goddess Durga takes a stock
of her devotees and grants all blessings, removes ills and
evils and ensures unproblematic life for her devotees.
Navratri in March - April is called Vasantha Navratri which is good for attaining success in endeavours and this year it falls between 26 March 2009 and 3 April 2009.
Navratri's each night is
dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga. That is every
ratri of the Navratri corresponds to worship of different
forms of Maa Durga.
This embraces Maa Shailputri,
who was the daughter of Parvatraj Himalaya (King of the
Mountain), wife of Lord Shiva and mother of Ganesha and
Kartikeya;
Maa Brahmachaarini-, who
gives the message of pure love to the world;
Maa Chandraghanta,
who establishes Justice and wears crescent moon on Her head;
Maa Kushmaanda, who provides
the basic necessities to the world;
Skand Maa, who gives the
gift of differentiation of right from wrong to the world;
Maa Kaatyayini, who persistently
battles against the evil and deceitful entities;
Maa Kaalratri, who killed
Raktabeej ( a demon who produce a demon from every drop
of blood that fell from his body. Goddess eventually licked
the blood before it could reach the ground and hence conquered
him);
Maa Chaamunda, who killed two demons--Chanda and
Munda and restored tranquility;
Maa MahaGauri who also liberate
the world of evil forces;
Mata Sidhidaarti, who is
a treasure house of Mystic Powers (Yantra Tantra) and Knowledge
(Gyaan).
Some may also say that the
nine days are divided and devoted to the Trinity of God
worshipped in a female form in which for three days Maa
Durga (Goddess of valor) is worshipped, for three days
Maa Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and three days for
Maa Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge and Art). On
the fifth day, that is, Lalita Panchami books are gathered,
lamp is lighted to invoke Saraswati. The eighth and ninth
day, Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) is performed
to honour heavenly Goddess and bid her farewell.
This period of Navratri
also allows for recitation of sacred scriptures such
as Durga Sapshudi from Markanday Puran. This narrates how
Goddess Durga was blessed and provided with weapons by our
Trinity of Gods to annihilate Maheshasur, the demon who
had forced Gods to leave heaven and take refuge on earth.
Musical recitations (Kirtans) by famous musicians are offered
for the benefit of the Goddess and devotees.
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