[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Navratri, when translated into English, means nine nights.
The night is a time for relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind and the body. If we don’t rest at night, it becomes difficult to carry on with our activities the next day, doesn’t it?
Similarly, Navratri is the resting time for the spirit in you. It is the time when you withdraw yourself from all sensory activities (eating, talking, watching, touching, listening, smelling), and rest in yourself. This withdrawal from all sensory activities takes you deeper within yourself, which is the actual source of bliss, joy, and enthusiasm in your life.
Most of us don’t get to experience this because we are constantly engaged in some activity or the other. We are always engaged with the mind. Navratri is the time to withdraw from the mind and rest in the spirit or soul. It’s the time to feel your soul!
So this Navratri, take the opportunity to transition from the gross material world to the subtle spiritual world. Simply put, take some time off from your day-to-day activities and entanglements, and focus on yourself. Think of your origin, of who you are and where you have come. Go within, and rest in the remembrance of the love of the Divine Mother.
Why should you fast during Navratri?
Rich in colors, tradition, songs, and dance, Navratri is also a time for us to relax, turn inwards and recharge ourselves with new energy. Fasting during Navratri makes that inner journey towards bliss and joy easier to make. It reduces the restlessness of the mind and brings forth awareness and joy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1400″ img_size=”800*400″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Significance of Navratri:
‘Navratri’ means ‘nine nights.’ ‘Nava’ means ‘nine,’ and ‘Ratri’ means ‘night.’
Night provides rest and rejuvenation. During the night, you turn inwards through sleep, and you wake up feeling refreshed and rested in the morning. In the same way, Navratri or the ‘nine nights’ is that time of the year when you get the chance to experience deep rest. This deep rest brings freedom from all kinds of botherations, deep relaxation, and creativity.
Fasting, meditation, prayers, and other spiritual practices performed during this period help bring about this deep rest. Even refraining from over-indulging in sense objects during this time aid the process of attaining deep rest.
Our spirit: The source of deep rest
Our spirit has existed since time immemorial. It is the boundless and the eternal source of energy of this universe. During Navratri, even the subtle energies in the environment enhance and assist one’s experience of reaching the spirit.
The prayer, chanting, and meditation performed during Navratri connect us with our spirit. Getting in touch with the spirit invokes positive qualities within us and destroys laziness, pride, obsession, cravings, and aversions. When stress in the form of negative emotions is destroyed, we experience the deep rest of the transforming nine nights.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1404″ img_size=”1000*1000″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Understanding Devi:
Devi or the Divine Mother is the energy which has given birth to the entire universe including the celestial stars far away and the subtle mind and its emotions. Called ‘shakti’ which means energy, the Divine Mother is also responsible for running this creation.
Navratri is the time when this energy can be tapped. One of the ways to do so is to worship all the names and forms of the Divine Mother.
Garba and Dandiya & Navratri
The Inimitable Connection Between Dandiya, Garba and Navratri!
For those of us who are still inept at the art of grooving to the beats of Garba and Dandiya, the mere colors and gorgeous costumes can entice us into trying again. Because, it is that time of year when we get the chance to re-connect with our family, friends, acquaintances and, most importantly, our playful side!
Why Garba and Dandiya are performed during Navratri
If you look at the history of these two dance forms – Garba and Dandiya, both originated in Gujarat, and are performed during Navratri. Why during Navratri, you may ask. The reason is that these dance forms are a dramatization (sort of like a mock-fight) of the nine-day battle between Goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura, in which the Goddess emerged victoriously.
This is what Navratri symbolizes as well – the triumph of good over evil, even if that evil stems from our own cluttered and undisciplined mind. These nine days give us a chance to purify negative thoughts and start afresh.
The Garba dance
Traditionally, Garba is performed around an earthen pot (garbo) with a lamp inside, which is called a ‘Garbha Deep.’ This representation is symbolic. The lantern symbolizes life – the fetus in the womb, in particular. The pot itself is a symbol of the body, within which divinity resides.
Dancers move around in circles, making circular movements with their hands and feet around this earthen pot. This gesture symbolizes the circle of life, which moves from life to death to rebirth, leaving only the Mother Divine unmoved, unchanging and invincible.
The Garba costume consists of a three-piece – the choli or blouse, chaniya or long skirt and an embellished dupatta. Embroidery and mirrorwork may be found on the multihued attire, making the atmosphere vibrant and lively. The men wear a kediyu (a full-sleeved kurta that is tight at the chest and flares like a frock at the waist) with kafni pajamas (a multi-pleated pant that tapers towards the bottom) and a pagdi or turban.
The Dandiya dance
In this dance, both men and women energetically dance with colorful and decorated bamboo sticks, striking them to the beats of instruments like the dholak and tabla. The dance is a beautiful way of re-creating the battle that took place between the Devi and the demon.
The colorful sticks used during Dandiya represent the sword of Goddess Durga, which is why this dance form is also known as ‘The Sword Dance.’ The sounds of the instruments playing are reminiscent of the metallic clangs that may be heard on the battlefield.
Women wear ghagra (long skirt), the choli (blouse) and odhni (shawl). Men wear traditional dhotis and kurtas. Mirrorwork is, again, a signature design of these costumes.
The costumes of both the Garba and the Dandiya highlight the vibrant colors of Navratri.
Sharad Navratri (September – October) is the nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga and her numerous forms in Hindu religion. Sharad Navratri 2021 dates are from October 7 to October 14, 2021 in India as per Hindu Calendar. The festival is of great importance as it is the most significant festival dedicated to Mother Goddess in Hinduism.
The nine-day festival of Navratri in Hinduism celebrates the victory of good over evil – Dharma overcomes Adharma with the blessing of Goddess Durga.
The nine-day festival begins on the first day of the bright half of Ashwin or Ashwayuja (September-October) as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar.
2021 Navratri Calendar:
- Day 1 – October 7 – Ghatasthapana – Chandra Darshan – Shailputri Puja
- Day 2 – October 8 – Brahmacharini Devi Puja
- Day 3 – October 9 – Sindoor Tritiya – Chitrangada Devi Puja
- Day 4 – October 0 – Upang Lalita Vrat – Lalitha Panchami – Kushmanda Devi Puja
- Day 5 – October 11 – Skanda Mata Puja
- Day 6 – October 11 – Katyayani Devi Puja
- Day 7 – October 12 – Kalaratri Devi Puja
- Day 8 – October 13 – Mahashtami – Mahagauri Devi Puja
- Day 9 – October 14 – Maha Navami – Siddhidatri Devi Puja
- Day 10 – October 15 – Dussehra
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