Navratri is here, and everyone has geared up to celebrate it with utmost zeal and enthusiasm. Wherever you will go, you are going to find lights, huge pandals, idols of Maa Durga and of course beautiful chaniya cholis being sold accompanied by dandiya.
Now that the enthusiasm and devotion are not ready to leave their place, it is very important to know the reason behind the big celebration and also some facts that are not known to many, some stories that simply went unheard. There are different reasons as to why this festival is so big and lavish in India. Various religions claim to have different stories to tell us, we thought of compiling it all for you in the form of listicles.
Read further, and you will find some new and interesting facts about Navratri. :)
Did you know the meaning of Navratri?
According to an article, the word Navratri literally means 'nine nights'. Although, there are four navratris that are observed around a calendar year, but we generally celebrate two.
The big significance.
As per an article, Navratri is a celebration of Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. To end the atrocities of the demon, the Gods created Durga. Mahishasura wanted to marry her as he was fascinated by her beauty. Durga agreed on the condition that he had to defeat her in a battle before marrying her, the battle went on for nine days and nine nights. On the tenth day, Durga emerged victorious as she killed the evil, buffalo-headed demon.
Do you know anything about buffalo sacrifice?
The reason behind buffalo sacrifice.
Mahishasura had the head of a buffalo. So the unfortunate animal is sacrificed during Navratri in many parts of the country. The animal has to be beheaded with a single stroke. Usually, priests recite a mantra in the ear of the animal before the sacrifice, to free it from the cycle of life and death.
The secret behind nine days.
Nine different days of Navratri signify nine Goddess, during the nine nights, nine different forms or avatars of the Devi are worshipped – a different form each night.
Lord Rama worshipped Durga.
A legend says that Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga's nine forms over nine days. As a result, he was granted the strength to kill the evil Ravana and free Sita.
Nine days of leave.
Goddess Durga was given permission by Lord Shiva to visit her mother for nine days in a year. Navratri is said to commemorate this visit every year and that is why most of the people say that the Goddess visits her mother's place i.e., the earth during this time.
There's a ritual that makes people worship their computer and CDs. Read further to know what it is.
Ayudha Puja
On the ninth day of Navratri, people worship their livelihood and weapons. On the day of Ayudha Puja in Bangalore – the Silicon Valley of India, you see computers, CDs, and software books being worshipped. Of course, vehicles, machinery, rifles, etc. are also worshipped.
Yes, I'm obviously not kidding.
Sharad Navratri
Sharad Navratri is observed for nine days and nine nights, with three days each for the worship of three different aspects of Mataji - as Goddess Durga for the first three days, as Goddess Lakshmi for the next three days and as Goddess Saraswati for the final three days.
The festivities come to an end.
With Dussehra or Vijayadashami the celebrations come to an end and it marks the victory of good over evil.
That's all, folks.