Navaratri - a time of fasting and prayer.

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During the month of Sepember-October, nine days before

Dussehra (Vijaya Dashmi)this festival of Navratri is observed. During these nine

days, people in India fast (depending on the individual, it may be a fruits only

type of fast, or a total fast).This time Dussehra occurs on 22nd October 2007,

and the fasting is for nine days from 13th October to 21st October.The fast is

broken on 21st morning after offering gifts,prasadam to girls under the age of

ten,who are representatives of Durga,Lakshmi and Saraswati.The feet of the girls

are also washed before offering gifts and prasadam. This entire system is a part

of Sanatana Dharma and is being followed in India since ages

immemorial.

This is also a great time to worship Radharani, who represents Lord Krishna

directly, and also represents all the energies of Durga,Lakshmi and

Saraswati.According to thei personal inclination, people worship their chosen

deities during this festival. In Gujarat the Garbha Dance festival is linked

with this festival.Lord Rama observed these 9 days of fasting before slaying

Ravana on the tenth day.Thus we can see how beneficial this Navratri is.

 

Wishing all our readers a prayerful and enlightening time ahead.

 

Jai Sri Krishna!.