New Delhi: Navaratri is a very important Hindu festival celebrated in India, which is devoted to Goddess Durga. This festival is celebrated across the nation with great devotion and enthusiasm. Each of the nine days is devoted to one of the Goddess' nine different forms during the course of the nine-day event.


The Shakta and Vaishnava Puranas, claim that Navaratri occurs twice or four times a year. The Sharada Navaratri, which falls close to the autumn equinox (September–October) is the most important one and is widely celebrated. 


Navaratri: Stories behind the origin of the festival


There are different stories across separate parts of the country that describe the origin of Navaratri. Owing to the cultural and traditional diversity of the country, different legends are prevalent across the nation. 


In North India-


Here, the story is weaved around the demon Mahaishasura, who after worshipping Lord Shiva obtained the power of eternity. Overwhelmed with such powers, he began harassing and killing innocent people, and in the process set out to win all the three lokas. As a result, the Lords in swargalok made an appeal to Shiva to find a way to get rid of the demon and bring peace around. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara combined their forces to create Goddess Durga, a heavenly female warrior, to protect the universe from Mahishasura's heinous deeds. 


Mahishasura was so fascinated by Goddess Durga's beauty that he approached her for marriage. Goddess Durga agreed, but only on the condition that Mahishasura would have to win over her in a battle. Being proud of his powers, Mahishasura agreed to this. The war continued for nine nights, and at the end of the ninth night, the goddess beheaded him. The nine nights thus came to be known as Navaratri while the tenth one as Vijayadashami- the victory of good over evil.


In Eastern India-


The legend in Eastern India is based on Uma- the daughter of the King of Himalayas, Daksha. Since her childhood, she wished to marry Shiva. She worshipped the Lord and pleased him and in the process won him over. The tiger-skin-clad suitor who eventually arrived to marry her enraged Daksha, who severed all ties with his daughter and son-in-law.


One day, Daksha organized a yagna but did not invite Lord Shiva. Displeased at this kind of a behavior from her father, she decided to end her life by jumping into the agnikund of the yagna. There she was united with eternity and began to be known as sati thereafter.


However when she took rebirth, she once more chose Shiva as her spouse, and harmony was established. Since then, it is believed that Uma comes to her parent's house every year during Navratri with Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati, Laxmi, and two of her closest friends, known as "sakhis," Jaya and Bijaya.


The legend of Rama and Ravana-


According to legend, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga for nine days in nine different forms in order to get the strength and might necessary to destroy Ravana. He sought to save Sita from the control of the formidable demon king Ravana who had kidnapped her. The tenth day, when Lord Rama killed Ravana, became to be known as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, indicating Rama's victory over Ravana. 


Navaratri: Significance


 The word Navratri comes from the Sanskrit language - Nav' means ' Nine ' and ' Ratri ' means ' Night


Navratri has special significance in Hinduism and is celebrated twice a year. The beginning of the Hindu New Year is considered to be from Chaitra Navratri, while Shardiya Navratri is considered to be a symbol of victory of good over evil. 


Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash establishment is one of the significant rituals during Navratri that marks the beginning of nine days of festivities.


Hindus hold a nine-day fast to mark the beginning of Navratri. The significance of the Navratri fast is very important for everyone celebrating. People recite the Durga Saptashati of the Markandeya Purana or the 700 words of Devi Mahatmyam. Throughout the nine days of Navratri, the verses are chanted every day. People recite the mantras, which evoke Ma Durga while wearing a Haldi mala or a turmeric garland. All universes have their very beginning in her.


Navaratri: Celebrations in 2022


This year, the nine days of worship of Goddess Durga, Shardiya Navratri are going to start on 26 September 2022 (Monday) and last till 5 October 2022 (Wednesday). 


The dates are as follows:


Pratipada (Maa Shailputri): 26 September 2022


Dwitiya (Maa Brahmacharini): 27 September 2022


Tritiya (Maa Chandraghanta): 28 September 2022


Chaturthi (Maa Kushmanda): 29 September 2022


Panchami (Maa Skandmata): 30 September 2022


Shashthi (Maa Katyayani): 01 October 2022


Saptami (Maa Kalratri): 02nd October


Ashtami (Maa Mahagauri): 03 October 2022


Navami (Maa Siddhidatri): 04 October 2022


Dashami (Immersion of Maa Durga idol): 5, October 2022