Navrarti

[Guest guest]

sairam everyone, this information is about navratri, which begin from today

(14th october 2004) and ends next friday (22nd october 2004),

hope everyone enjoy reading this information

sairam

Dharmesh sheth

 

 

Navratri (Navaratri) an Indian Festival :-

Come October and there's just one feeling allover. A feeling of joy &

happiness. A time for dance, music and devotion. Yes, we are talking about

the most awaited festival by people from all walks of life -Navratri. A

festival when the young-hearts throb with excitement and energy and the

older generation is full of devotion.

 

What is 'Navaratri' all about?

Navratri is a festival of worship, dance and music celebrated over a period

of nine nights (Nav-nine and Ratri-nights). It is celebrated from the first

to ninth date of Ashwin Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Calendar for the worship

of the Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is believed to exist in many forms like

Goddess Bhavani, Jagdamba, Mahakali etc. The first nine days of the Ashwin

are devoted for worshipping the Divine Mother -'MAA'. These nine days are

divided and devoted to the Trinity of God worshipped in a female form -

three days for Durga (Goddess of valor) three days for Lakshmi (Goddess of

Wealth) and three days for Sarswati (Goddess of Knowledge and Art). On the

fifth day (Lalita Panchami), it is traditional, to gather all books, light a

lamp and invoke Sarswati . The eighth and ninth day, it is traditional to

perform Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) to honor Divine Mother and bid

her farewell.

 

Gujaratis perform their traditional dances Garba & Dandiya-Raas during

Navratri. The women-folk dance in a circle, singing 'Garbas' or traditional

songs. Dandiya-Raas is played with wooden sticks (dandiyas). Apart from

Gujrat, Garbas are performed in other states & cities like Mumbai.

Beautifully decorated 'mandaps' are set up for playing garba & dandiya by

various cultural societies, housing commitees & youth social groups. Young

men-women wear colourful traditional dresses and play Garba with great

enthusiasm.The mood of Navratri is very colourful & unique. In various parts

of India,the Ram-Leela is performed during Navratri. Ram-Leela is a stage

enaction of Ramayana,the story of Lord Rama.

 

The tenth day, also known as Vijaya Dasami (day of Victory over evils),

Dassera is significant to launch new activities or beginning of learning. It

signifies the good winning over the evil. It is believed that on this day,

Lord Rama had killed the demon Ravana. So, on Dassera, effigies of Ravana

are burnt all over India.

 

Navaratri is a festival of pure happiness and one of the most auspicious

occassions.

 

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