Sharada Navrati, an autumnal Hindu festival that literally translates to “nine nights,” is observed in reverence of the sacred feminine, “Devi.” The precise traditions of the festival differ across regions, with some linking it to the triumph of the Durga Puja over a buffalo demon and others to Rama’s conquest over the demon monarch Ravana. Nevertheless, the overarching motif of the divine triumph of good over evil is prominently featured in every region.
The background of Navratri
Navratri is a Hindu festival honoring the goddess Durga for vanquishing the evil Mahishasura. By virtue of his unwavering devotion to the paramount deity Brahma, Mahushasura obtained the boon of immortality. Despite the fact that this granted him immortality, a stipulation attached to this benediction dictated that only a female would be capable of vanquishing the demon.
Mahishasura was assured, with self-assurance in his own power, that no woman would ever surpass him in strength or be capable of destroying him. Over time, Mahishasura and his army amassed an invincible force that terrorized the populace; not a single deity was capable of overcoming him.
A confluence of three supreme deities—Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma—was formed in order to fashion a female entity possessing the capability to definitively vanquish Mahishasura. This was the deity Durga in human form.
Furious with weapons in hand, Durga engaged the demon in combat. Durga ultimately achieved the victory over Mahishasura following a ten-day combat that transpired over its course.
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5 Navitri Facts Worth Knowing
Navratri is a festival honoring the deity Durga for her conquest over the malevolent Mahushasura.
Due to the nine-day and night-long combat between Mahushasura and Durga, the festival derives its name.
Each day of the festival, a unique color is employed to represent a specific attribute of Durga.
Following Navratri is Dussehra.
On Navratri, the following two dances are performed: Garba and Raas.
NAVRATRI DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2021 | October 7 | Thursday |
2022 | September 26 | Monday |
2023 | October 15 | Sunday |
2024 | October 3 | Thursday |
2025 | September 22 | Monday |