Navratri

Navratri is the festival of nine nights of celebration and worship of Goddess Durga, the Divine Mother.

Just as a baby takes nine months to be born, the Devi took nine days to rest and what was born on the tenth day was pure love and devotion. These nine nights are celebrated to rekindle the divine impulses and celebrate the innermost depth of our lives.

Navratri is also celebrated as representing the nine forms of Durga; the feminine aspect of the Divine Mother is worshipped as Kali (Tamas) in the first three days, as Lakshmi (Rajas) in the middle three days and as Saraswati (Satva) in the final three days.

Navratri is also celebrated as representing the nine forms of Durga. They are:

1. Shailaputri: The first among the Navadurgas is Shailaputri. Her worship takes place on the first day. “Shaila” means stone and “putri” means daughter. Praying to her gives us strength, courage and composure.

2. Brahmacharini: On the second day Brahmacharini is worshipped. Brahmacharya has a higher meaning than just ‘celibacy’. ‘Brahma’ means infinity and ‘chara’ means moving, signifying that you are moving in the Infinite. This aspect of the Mother Divine is present in the Svadhisthana Chakra. Invoking the qualities of this Devi, our consciousness is expanded to infinity.

3. Chandra Ghanta: This form of Devi is depicted as wearing a bell-like ornament in the shape of the moon. The moon is connected with the mind and the ‘Ghanta’ or the bell is an instrument connected with alertness. The ringing of the bell brings the mind to the present moment. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, the mind also wavers. By chanting the name of this Devi, the mind is brought under control.