The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratrimeaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped.
Navratri begins on Ashwin Shukla of the calendar.
'Navaratri' is the festival of worship of the Goddess Shakti.
The Navaratri festival has been celebrated for thousands of years.
The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother.
Navaratri represents celebration of Goddess Durga, the manifestation of Deity in form of Shakti [Energy or Power] .
Navaratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. In North India, all Navratris are celebrated with much fervor.
In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance.
In Goa, zatra begins during Navratri, entire Antruz (Ponda) is highly ornated.
In the state of West Bengal in East India where they are celebrated as Durga Puja. This is the biggest festival of the year in this state.
The Chaitra Navratri culminates in Ram Navami and the Sharad Navratri culminates in Durga Puja and Dussehra. The Dussehra of Kulu in Himachal Pradesh is particularly famous in the North.
In South India, people set up steps and place idols on them. This is known as golu.
In Kerala, three days: Ashtami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami of Sharad Navaratri are celebrated as Sarasvati Puja.
In Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, people celebrate Bathukamma festival over a period of nine days. It is a kind of navratri celebration.
Navratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities. The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country.
On the eve of 'Navaratri' let us pray to the Goddess ' to give us strength.
May this Navratri be as bright as ever.
May this Navratri bring joy, health and wealth to you.
May the festival of lights brighten up you and your near and dear ones lives.
Happy Navratri to all..Mat this navratri bring happiness and Prosperity to all..Thanks for sharing.
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