Navratri : The Victory of Good Over Evil

Navratri, in Sanskrit, means Nine Nights where ‘Nava’ means Nine and ‘Ratri’ means Night is a major festival in Hinduism celebrated every year in the autumn season in the honor of the divine feminine. During the month of Ashvin, Navratri starts and ends after 9 Days with Vijayadashami or Dussehra celebration on the 10th day. During the 9 Days of Navratri, Hindus worship Goddess Durga with all their devotion. On the last day of Navratri i.e. Dussehra, people worship Goddess Durga for Wealth and Health. In few parts of India, Dussehra is considered as the focal point of the festival making it a festival of 10 days instead of 9. Navaratri depends on the Lunar Calendar so, in some years it is celebrated for 9 days, with Dussehra on the 9th. As per the Hindu Mythology, there are a total of 4 Navarati, but only two have greater importance, one is Chaitra Navratri which is celebrated in the month of March and April. And the second one is Shardiya Navratri which is celebrated during the month of September or October. 

Navratri is celebrated differently in various regions of India. Navratri is considered Holy for Hindus. Many people believe that it is the festival of hope and time of good over evil and they do fasting, while for others it is a time for dancing. Those who do fasting only eat a strict vegetarian diet and abstain from alcohol and certain spices. In Gujrat, Garba and Dandiya are very famous as a part of evening worship of the devil. During this festival, people decorate their homes with flowers and colorful lights. The pandals of Goddess Durga are also decorated. People also organize Ram Leela during these days as it is believed that Lord Rama defeated ten-headed Ravana during this period. 

It is an old belief that during these nine days of Navratri, Maa Durga came to visit her parents on earth. The Navratri Festival is named Sharadiya Navaratri because it is observed in Sharad Ritu and is celebrated by the people with happiness. People in West Bengal celebrate Navratri with great enthusiasm, The idol of Goddess Durga is decorated beautifully. People also do the Kalash Sthapana during Navratri, wherein they place an earthen pot with some coconut water and coconut over it. This pot is worshipped during the 9 Days and then immersed in water. People place the idol of Goddess Durga and worship it for 9 days 

During these 9 days, there is a lot of happiness in the house. People celebrate this festival with enthusiasm.