Diversity thrives. Everything here is unique. You can find every occasion is special here in India. Be it language, food, culture; even attires vary. Depending on which part of the country we find ourselves in. It’s no surprise then that our way of worshiping changes as per our diversified customs and rituals, giving that distinctive regional touch. The message being conveyed in the form of worship may very well be the same, but our way of communicating that message takes on a whole different flavor.
No doubt that India is a diversified country and there is a colorful cultural existence everywhere. Navaratri is one of the biggest cultural and grand celebrations that has the greatest diversity. Navaratri is one of the most significant festivals of the Hindus celebrated all across the world. This is also one of the most ancient festivals dating back to the time immemorial.
Reason of celebrating the Navaratri
The main purpose of Navratri celebration is to destroy evil. The legend associated with Navratri speaks about the great battle that took place between the powerful demon Mahishasura and Goddess Durga. Mahishasura was blessed with immortality by Lord Brahma and for that reason he started attacking the Trilok and started destroying everything good to establish evil.
Since only a woman could defeat him, even the Gods didn’t stand a chance against him. The worried gods prayed to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva to help them defeat their worst enemy. Looking at the helpless Gods, Lord Vishnu took the decision to create a woman to defeat Mahishasura since as per Lord Brahma’s boon, none but only a woman can defeat the demon.
At this time Goddess Durga has been created. After the three powerful gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva) created Goddess Durga, she fought with Mahishasura for 15 long days. It was a fight that shook the trilok – earth, heaven and hell. And after a long war, finally the truth won and Goddess Durga destroyed the evil.
Specialization of days
So on each day of Navaratri different avatars of Goddess Durga are worshiped. On the first day, people worship Goddess Shailputri while Goddess Brahmacharini is worshiped on the second day. On the third day people pay homage to Goddess Chandraghanta; on the fourth day Goddess Kushmanda is worshiped. On the fifth day Goddess Skandamata is worshiped; on the sixth day Goddess Katyayani is worshiped; on the seventh day Goddess Kaalratri is worshiped; on the eighth day Goddess Mahagauri is worshiped and on the last and final day people worship the Goddess Siddhidatri.
Chaitra Navratri celebration in Eastern India
Navratri is widely celebrated in Eastern India, more specifically Kolkata, West Bengal. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Poila Baisakh in West Bengal and North East India. Navaratri is also celebrated as Durga Puja. Devi Durga is shown with various weapons in her hand, riding on a lion. Lions signify the dharma, the will power, while the weapons denote the focus and severity needed to destroy the negativity in our minds. Eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami. Exquisitely crafted and decorated life-size lay idols of the Goddess Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura are set up in temples and other places. These idols are then worshiped for five days and immersed in the river on the fifth day.
At Chaitra Navratri, people of West Bengal wear new clothes and jewelry as they are inviting the new year whole-heartedly. They perform some pujas and do the rituals in the early morning. Garments, jewelry and even grocery shops are all decked with flowers, pandals and colorful elements. People are invited to the shops to take prasad of puja and they are given sweets. This has been a colorful ritual since decades. As they invite the new year with peace, laughter and happiness, they all hope for ‘shubh’ in every step of their life.
Specialization of Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra navratri is also known as the Vasanta navratri. It usually falls in the month of March or April and marks the first day of the Hindu calendar. It is a grand nine days festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Northern India. This Navratri is celebrated during the shukla paksha of chaitra masa (hindu calendar month), which is between March and April. Maharashtrians celebrate the first day of this navratri as Gudi Padwa and in Kashmir, it is called as Navreh. This navratri is exuberantly celebrated in Northern and Western India and makes the colorful spring season all the more fascinating and divine.
“Chaitra” means the beginning of a New Year. So the New Year begins with nine days of turning inwards; prayer, meditation, and chanting. Recognizing the Divinity in the whole creation, and enlivening that aspect – “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar”
Goddess Brahmacharini Puja Mantra
1) Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah
2) Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama
3) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
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Wrapping up,
Navratri or Navaratrs is considered to be one of India’s most prominent festivals. It denotes nine nights of reverence towards Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. It ends on the tenth day with distribution of prasad and feeding young girls who are considered to be the symbol of Maa Durga.
People celebrate the festival with fasting, feasting after a fast, playing dandiya and visiting Durga Puja pandals. They also exchange warm wishes with their loved ones.
Interestingly, the first day of Chaitra Navratri marks the Hindu New Year Day as per the Amavasyant calendar. Hence, devotees begin the Nav Varsh by worshiping the Mother Goddess, symbolizing power.