Navratri Festival

Navratri is a one of the important festival of India. It comes twice a year, once around March-April and the second time, around September-October. The nine days and nights of Navratri are entirely devoted to Mother Goddess (Devi Maa). Throughout this period people do, fasts, strictly vegetarian diets, japa (chanting mantras), prayer, meditation and recitation of sacred texts. Apart from this, there are a number of other customs and rituals as well, which are associated with the festival.

The main ritual of Navratri, celebrated on September-October, consists of placing images of Goddess Durga, in homes and temples. The devotees offer fruits and flowers to the Goddess. They also sing bhajans and do 'Dandiya Raas' and 'Garba Raas' in her honor.

Pleople exclusively worship of Goddess Durga (Goddess of energy and power). Each day is dedicated to a different appearance of Durga, namely Kumari, Parvati and Kali... There is also a custom of planting barley seeds in a small bed of mud on the first day of puja.

The ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations, which is also known as 'Mahanavami'. On this day, Kanya puja is performed, where nine young girls are worshiped  Each of these nine girls symbolizes one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The feet of the girls are washed, show respect towards them. Thereafter, the girls are offered food and a set of new clothes, as a gift from the devotees.

The tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra. On this day, devotees perform 'Saraswati Puja', for blessings of knowledge and mental peace. On this particular day, the burning of the dummy of demon king Ravana also takes place which symbolizes the victory of good over evil!

Mugdha Says:

This divine festival nourish so many good teachings;

Vegetarianism

Respecting Female power

Cherishing presence of Girl Child

Preyar for Energy and Knowledge

Celebration of Joy in monotonous life

It is something which we should practice all year long, not JUST FOR NINE DAYS SAKE!!