Navratri honours the Divine Mother across nine nights. Learn its lunar timing, its nine forms of Durga and its spiritual rhythm.
Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', is a festival devoted to the Divine Mother in her many forms. The most widely observed is Sharad Navratri, which begins on the first tithi (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin, usually in September or October.
Over nine nights and culminating on the tenth day, Vijayadashami (Dussehra), devotees worship the Goddess, fast, and celebrate the victory of the divine feminine over demonic forces.
Each of the nine nights is dedicated to one of the Navadurga, the nine aspects of Goddess Durga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Each form embodies a particular quality and stage of the spiritual journey.
The progression through the nine forms mirrors an inner movement from grounding through purification to wisdom and fulfilment.
Many observe a vrat (fast) during Navratri, abstaining from grains, certain vegetables, onion and garlic, and eating sattvic foods. The fast is held to purify the body and sharpen devotion through the nine days.
There are actually four Navratris in the year, with the autumn Sharad Navratri and the spring Chaitra Navratri being the most celebrated. The lunar timing keeps the festival aligned with the natural cycle of the seasons.
Sharad Navratri begins on Pratipada of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, usually in September or October.
They are the Navadurga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
There are four, with the autumn Sharad and spring Chaitra Navratris being the most widely celebrated.
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