What is Navaratri
Navaratri is a major Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Goddess Sakthi or Parvathi. Devotees also worship goddesses, Lakshmi and Saraswathi along with Mother Durga. Navaratri is a 9-day long festival. It got its name from two Sanskrit terms, 'Nava' meaning Nine and 'Ratri' meaning Nights. While there are many legends associated with the festival, it is widely believed that during these nine days, the Goddess fought a battle with the evil demon-king Mahisasura, killed him on the tenth day, and saved the world from his clutches.
The devotees, celebrating the victory of the Goddess over the demon king, observe the nine nights as Navaratri festival to express their gratitude to her. The tenth day on which the Goddess killed Mahisasura is known as Vijayadasami. In some parts of India, these ten days are celebrated as Dussera, when Lord Rama fought with Ravan.
States in which Durga Puja is Celebrated
Though people all over India observe Navaratri, the following states observe it with huge pomp and enthusiasm.
- West Bengal
- Assam
- Tripura
- Karnataka
- Odisha
The festival is grandly observed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
India is a country of diverse cultures and traditions, and in each region or state, there are special and unique customs and ceremonies followed while celebrating a festival.
Celebration of Navaratri in different parts of India
This section discusses how people from different regions of India observe the Navaratri festival. For your easy understanding, let us classify this section as follows.
- Navratri Celebration in Northern India
- Navratri Celebration in Western India
- Navratri Celebration in Eastern India
- Navratri Celebration in Southern India
The details of the celebration in each region are below.
Navratri Celebration in Northern India:
People of North India celebrate Navratri as the victory of Lord Rama over the demon-king Ravana. Grand celebrations known as Ramlila is held on huge grounds. On Vijayadasami (the tenth day), the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are burnt to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
During the nine days of Navaratri, devotees organize and take part in special pujas and yagnas. The people worship Goddess Sakthi and thank her for her grace.
In northern India, the people follow the custom of exchanging gifts on Navratri. The articles given as Gifts include sweets, clothes, and home appliances.
Navratri Celebration in Western India:
In Western India, especially the people of Gujarat, celebrate Navaratri with the celebrated Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. Garba is a graceful form of dance wherein women dance gracefully in circles around a pot containing a lamp.
In the Dandiya dance, men and women dance in pairs with Dandiya, small, decorated bamboo sticks in their hands. Dandiya dance follows a complex rhythm, the dancers begin with a slow tempo, and as the dance progresses, they switch gradually to frenzied movements. The dancers dance in such a way that each person dancing performs a solo dance with their dandiyas and strikes the dandiyas of their dancing partner in style.
Navratri Celebration in Eastern India:
Unarguably, it is the Eastern part of India that observes the Navaratri with great zeal and celebrations. In West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and other North-East states, the last five days of Navratri are very significant and are celebrated as Durga Puja.
The people there erect statues of Ma Durga at their homes and public pandals. The idol of the Goddess holds various weapons and rides a lion. The eighth day of Navaratri is Durgashtami, and special poojas are performed to the Goddess. The devotees attend the Maha Aarti every evening, with the dhol being played in the background.
Navratri Celebration in Southern India:
In south India, during Navaratri, people make temporary steps-like arrangements and exhibit various dolls and figurines. This arrangement of dolls is known as Bombe Habba in Kannada, Bommai Kolu in Tamil, Bommala Koluvu in Telugu and Bomma Gullu in Malayalam.
Navratri is known as Dasara in Karnataka and is its state festival. The Mysore Dasara celebration organized by the Mysore Royal family is world-renowned. Yakshagana, a night-long dance in the form of epic dramas from Puranas, is enacted during the nine nights of Navratri.
The people of South India celebrate Ayudha Puja on the Mahanavami (Ninth) day. On this day, the agricultural implements, all kinds of tools, books, musical instruments, equipment, machinery, and automobiles are dusted and decorated and are worshipped along with Goddess Saraswati.
In Kerala, the people observe the 10th day, 'Vijaya Dashami,' as the day of "Vidyaarambam" (commencing of Education). On this day the young children receive initiation into learning. In Telangana, people celebrate the Bathukkamma festival during Navaratri, and in Andhra, the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swami vaaru Brahmotsavam happens during Navaratri. In Mysore, grand Dussehra processions carrying Goddess Chamundi happen in the streets. In Tamil Nadu, the Kulasekara patina town hosts a great Dussehra festival for ten long days.
