Navaratri - The Nine Days Festival

by Bhagwat Shah @ Sulekha.com

Navaratri is the nine days when we thank the female principle of nature and the associated goddesses. As the agricultural communities had free time only in the evenings (days being too busy with manual labor in the fields), evenings and nights were chosen as the ideal times to celebrate the festival of the goddesses.

In brief, the nine nights are dedicated to the three main goddesses of Hinduism -- Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

The first three nights are dedicated to the goddess of action and energy. Her different manifestations, namely Kumari, Parvati and Kali, are worshipped during these days. They represent the three natures/ classes of womanhood -- the virgin young girl, auspicious wife/ mother and the angry old hag. This is not a criticism of women, just a classification. It helps us recognize the different aspects of our own nature.

Lakshmi is worshipped for the next three days in her various aspects as the goddess of peace, plenty and bliss. Fulfillment is more important than wealth itself. As the goddess of wealth, she governs not just the bank balance, but also such basic things as family, friends, food, etc.

Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge. Not just the knowledge of how to earn a living, but how to 'live' as well. She is the goddess of spiritual knowledge and the knowledge that frees us from this bind of samsara. She is worshipped during the final three days of the Navaratri.

The nine nights are there for us to revel in the knowledge of the goddesses that live within us, imbibing us with their spiritual energy and power. Used for the good, they help liberate us from the mire of this world. Use these energies unwisely, and they will snare us in the maya of this world. The nine nights are a time for introspection and looking inwards.

Navaratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India and of course, much has been 'added on' and the nine nights are now as commercial as any other festival.