Navaratri – Vasantha Navarathri: April 2nd till 27th

[Guest guest]

Today marks the beginning of Vasantha Navarathri.

 

Navaratri is celebrated four times a year. They are :

 

1. Shyamala Navarathri -- Dec—Jan

 

2. Vasanta Navarathri -- Mar -- April

 

3. Vaaraahi Navarathri -- July

 

4. Sarada Navarathri -- Sept—Oct

 

 

Of these, the Sharada Navaratri and Vasantha Navaratri are very

important. Navaratri are very special occasions for any Devi's

Upasakas as we look forward for intense 9 days Sadhana.

 

Vasantha Navarathri ( spring navaratri ) celebrated on the waxing

moon in the month of Chaitra ( March – April ). Details on how

one

should observe these occasions are in the Devi Bhagavatam : fasts,

meditate etc.

 

It is a long tradition that one reads the devi-bhagavatam or the devi

mahatmyam (durga saptasati, 700 verses on Durga) during this period.

Devi bhagavatam notes that Rama meditated and fasted for nine days

after Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. It is also believe that pooja for

Durga during night is very much enjoyable as it is more calm and the

mind me most peaceful at such time.

 

This is an the old post of Devi Bhakta from last year Vasantha

Navarathri question ( with some changes ) :

 

Devi is strongly associated with the vernal and autumnal equinox in

many traditions, therefore the Navaratri festivals are closely

associated the equinoxes as well.

 

These are the symbolic passages of death (the passing of summer

into autumn) and birth (the re-emergence of life from the "death" of

winter) -- the two major landmarks of earthly existence, and

naturally integral to any vision of Devi as Mother.

 

These are the times when SHE is said to be especially receptive to

Her devotees. However, astrological considerations dictate, and so

the festivals -- though tied to the equinoxes -- may not actually

coincide with the equinox.

 

Navratri means, in Sanskrit, literally, "Nine Nights" -- and it

refers to two major Hindu holidays centered on Goddess. The big one

is the autumnal Navratri; it's an all-India bash (though particularly

associated with West Bengal), and racously celebrated anywhere in the

world where you find Hindus.

 

The Vasant ("Spring") Navratri is a much more low-key affair,

celebrated mainly in the Northern India, and not so much in the South.

 

Both celebrations revolve around the image of Devi as Durga,

particularly in Her role as Mahishasura Mardini, "Slayer of the

Buffalo Demon"

 

see our homepage on :

http://www.shaktisadhana.org/mahishasuramardini.html

 

The battle between Sri Durga and Mahishasura is, of course, the

central myth of the Devi Mahatmyam. And so observances of Navaratri

usually involve daily chanting of that scripture. Some chant it in

nine parts, completing the recitation over the nine nights of the

festival. Others chant the entire DM one or more times on each day of

the festival (it takes most people an hour or two to complete a

recitation). In India, there are great processions and public

ceremonies associated with the holiday as well (but that's more

associated with the autumnal festival; Vasant Navratri is more

about personal observance)

 

In the Devi Gita at Chapter 1.26 – 29, said that Devi revealed

herself to the gods as the infinite Brahman :

 

"Suddenly, on the ninth lunar day in the month of Caitra, on a

Friday, That lustrous power revealed in scriptures appeared before

the gods. Praised on all sides by the four Vedas incarnate, It blazed

like ten million suns, yet soothed like ten million moons. Flashing

like ten millions streaks of lighting tinged with red, that supreme

lustrous power, shone forth unemcompassed above, across, and in the

middle. Without beginning or end, it had no body, no hands, no other

limbs, Nor did it have a woman's form, a man's form, nor the

two

combined"

 

Wishing all Devi Upasaka

A Glorious Vasanta Navarathri

April 2nd till 27th