Today I am going to expand on my topic of Navratri, which is festival in the Hindu religion celebrating the goddess Durga. Before we dive into this topic some key things to remember about Hinduism is that it is polytheistic, many of the religious festivals are based on the lunar calendar, and also that within Hinduism there are many ways to practice the religion.
Navratri:
- 9 day celebration
- significance of each day is based on the 9 avatars of Maa Durga
- Day 1: Sahilaputri
- means daughter of the mountain, since it is said that she was born in a house of the King of the Mountains
- She embodies the powers of Bhrama, Vishnu, and Shiva. She is portrayed riding a pull with a trident in one hand and a lotus in the other. In her previous birth she was the daughter of Daksha, who insulted her husband Shiva. Sati, Daughter of Daksha, couldn't witness her husband getting insulted and she stepped into the fire, gods were forced to bow down to her sacrifice.
- Day 2: Brahmacharini
- shown in white clothes with a mala and jal kamandal
- female student living in an ashram under the guidance of Guru
- practicing devote austerity
- she is the provider of peace, happiness, and prosperity
- Day 3: Chandraghanta
- third eye always open "half-moon"
- Prepared for battle any time
- rewards people with her bravery, courage, and grace
- Day 4: Kushmunda
- improves health and bestows wealth and strength
- created universe through laughter and made it verdant with vegetation
- Day 5: Skandamata
- mother of Skanda, or Karthikeya
- she holds the infant in her hands, while on the lion
- Karthikeya was commander-in-chief deemed by the Gods
- Day 6: Katyayani
- daughter of Katyayani Rishi
- the gods each gave her a weapon
- Day 7: Kalratri
- considered the goddess's fiercest form
- disheveled hair, dark complexion, three bight eyes, exhaling flames
- destroyer of all demons and spirits
- Day 8: Maha Gauri
- intelligent, peaceful, calm
- her complexion became dark, while she was performing austerities in the Himalyas, Shiva pours Ganga Jal on her and her lighter complexion is back
- Day 9: Siddhidhatri
- fulfills all the aspirations of those that have worshiped her fully for the nine day
There are 4 Navratris, but only two are celebrated by majority of India; the other two are celebrated by only certain regions. The two big Navratri are once a year: once at the beginning of the year called Chaitri Navratri, and once at the end of the year called Sharada Navratri.
Many people tend to fast for the nine days, meaning not eating, wheat or white flour products, salt, rice, and other items.
There are different regional celebrations of the festival based on the culture, traditions, and interpretation of the texts relating to Maa Durga.
Since there are many regional variances in Navratri, I was thinking of doing sort of a travel blog, gossip girl style postings, or tell the festival from the eyes of a well versed Sage... I'm looking into other possibilities, so I am not sure yet of, which style I like and want to venture with. Earlier in the semester I had looked into three different stories and liked all three of the styles, but more is yet to come on that.
Some places I really want to see the different portrayals of Navratri include, regions of America, London, regions of India, Australia possibly, and Africa.
I also plan to relate the celebration with different foods, places, and other related Gods and Goddesses.
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| Garba in Gujarat |
