Navratri festival sacred to the Mother Goddess are celebrated in
the month
of October / November. It is a festival of worship,dance and music
celebrated over a period of nine nights.It is celebrated from the
first to the ninth date of Ashwin Shukla
Paksha of the Hindu Calendar for the worship of the Goddess Durga.
This festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over a
demon, Mahishasur.
During Navratri, devotees of Durga fast and pray for health and
prosperity.
They also perform the 'devi-sthaapna' in their homes wherein they
invite the Goddess and perform 'pooja-path' for nine days without
consuming any food.
It is an occasion for vibrant festivities throughout the country.
Nine different manifestations of Durga are worshipped over the
nine days ; Durga :goddess beyond reach; Bhadrakali the auspicious
power of time; Amba or Jagdamba: mother of the world; Annapurna:
giver of food and plenty; Sarvamangala: auspicious goddess;
Bhairavi: terrible, fearful, power of death; Chandika or handi:
violent, wrathful, furious; Lalita: playful; and Bhavani: giver of
existence.
Idols of the Goddess Durga are elaborately decorated and
worshipped in elaborate pandals for nine days, and on the tenth
day immersed in a river or pond. Each day during this festival has
religious significance for the devotees.
Navratri
means: Nav = nine ; Ratri = nights