Navratri 2024 - Why, When, How - It Is Celebrated?

Navratri - Here comes the celebration of the victory of good over evil. Navratri is a festival that is celebrated all over the country. An annual festival of the Hindus is observed in the honour of Goddess Durga. 

But, what is this festival all about? Why it is celebrated, when it is celebrated, and how the festival is celebrated will be discussed in this blog very particularly.

Let us first know what the Navratri Festival is. 

Also, Read - 9 Lessons to Learn from Navratri of 2024

What is the Navratri Festival?

Being Indians, we all know how Navratri is celebrated - with a lot of pomp and show. But do you know what is Navratri? Or Why do we celebrate the Navratri Festival? 

Well, Navratri means ‘9 Nights’ in Sanskrit.  These are the first 9 nights that occur after the new moon in the lunar calendar. 

According to the Yogic culture, the summer solstice marks the beginning of the southern movement of the sun, this time is known as ‘sadhana pada’, during this time many festivals are celebrated which is of divine feminine nature. Mainly, Sharada Navratri is celebrated at this time. This festival starts right after Mahalaya Amavasya (Pitru Paksha), Mahalaya denotes the Devi Pada, this is the time when the whole northern hemisphere of the Earth generates the divine feminine gentleness. This is when Devi is celebrated with glory through the nine days of offerings, rituals, and celebrations. 

Navratri 2024 Dates - When is Navratri 2024 Celebrated? 

Navratri 2024 begins on Thursday, 3rd October 2024 and will end with the celebration of Vijaya Dsami on Saturday, 12th October 2024.

These 9 days (10th day as Dashami) of Navratri are celebrated with grandeur. On these 9 days, Devi Durga is celebrated in her 9 forms. In our next section, we will discuss the 9 colours and 9 forms of Devi Durga. 

Religious Significance of Navratri

Navratri is a deeply meaningful festival in Hinduism. It honours Goddess Durga, who represents strength and power. The festival celebrates her victory over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the win of good over evil.

During Navratri, people take time for self-reflection and spiritual growth. They fast, pray, and engage in religious activities to cleanse their minds and souls. The festival highlights Shakti, the divine feminine energy. Each night is dedicated to a different form of this goddess, showing various aspects of her power and virtues.

Devotees perform rituals such as chanting hymns, dancing, and offering flowers, fruits, and sweets. These practices are believed to bring blessings and spiritual benefits. Each day of Navratri has its rituals and colours, representing different parts of the goddess. This helps deepen devotion and understanding of her divine qualities.

The festival also brings people together through shared worship and cultural events, strengthening community bonds and celebrating common values. Overall, Navratri is a time of devotion and spiritual practice, highlighting the importance of the feminine divine in Hinduism. 

Rituals Observed During the Navratri Festival

First Day:

• Ghatsthapana (Kalash Pujan): The festival begins with placing a sacred pot (Kalash) filled with water, symbolising Goddess Durga’s presence. Devotees perform a ritual to welcome the goddess, who on this day is Shailputri, representing purity and strength.

Second to Fourth Days:

• Second Day: Devoted to Goddess Brahmacharini, symbolising devotion and simplicity. Devotees offer fruits and flowers and engage in prayers for spiritual growth.

• Third-Day: Focuses on Goddess Chandraghanta, representing courage. Rituals include offering milk and sweets while praying for protection and bravery.

• Fourth Day: Honors Goddess Kushmanda, who symbolises prosperity. Offerings of various foods are made, and prayers are performed for abundance and health.

Fifth to Ninth Days:

• Sixth Day: Dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, who embodies strength. Devotees engage in intense prayers and fasting to overcome challenges.

• Seventh Day: Celebrates Goddess Kalratri, known for removing negativity. Rituals involve offering black sesame seeds and performing prayers to clear obstacles.

• Eighth Day: Honors Goddess Mahagauri, representing purity and peace. Devotees offer white flowers and sweets and pray for tranquillity and spiritual growth.

• Ninth Day: Focuses on Goddess Siddhidatri, who grants divine knowledge and fulfilment. Special prayers and offerings are made to seek her blessings and enlightenment.

How is Navratri Celebrated in India? 

India is a diverse country, and thus Navratri is celebrated in a diversified way. In four regions of the country, Navratri is celebrated in four different ways. Let us virtually enjoy the 4 different types of Navratri celebrations celebrated in India!

North India

In North India, Navratri is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. This signifies the celebration of Ramlila. Also, on these 9 days, pujas, fasts, and meditations are held. Apart from this, bhajan, kirtan, dancing, and celebrating life and knowledge are held during this time. 

Western India

In the Western part of India, Navratri is celebrated in a fun manner. With fun and fantastic dance forms like Garba, and Dandiya. Here men and women make pairs and dance and swirl around.  

Eastern India

The last five days of Sharad Navratri are celebrated as Durga Puja in the Eastern part of India, typically West Bengal. The eighth day is celebrated as Durgashtami, where anjali is offered to Goddess Durga. Lifesize idols of Goddess Durga are depicted with her slaying the demon Mahishahur in the pandals. This is a fun time for people in Kolkata who visits home during the Durga Puja. 

Southern India

In Southern India, Navratri is celebrated when friends, relatives, and neighbours are invited to the home to look at Kolu - this is an exhibition of dolls and figurines. 

Why Fasting Is Beneficial During Navratri? - 3 Scientific Reasons Behind It

We all have been hearing about fasting on Navratri elders in our house used to force us into Navratri fasting rules. But why exactly? We never knew. But growing up, we somehow observed fasting, but this curiosity never died. Here we will be talking about 3 scientific reasons behind fasting in Navratri and how it will help us:

1. Navratri Fasting Teaches us Self-control - Avoiding or saying a strong NO to the food we love can be beyond our capacity, but in Navratri, when we are mandatorily required to fast, we have to do it by hook or crook, thus in this manner, Navratri teaches us self-control. 

2. Navratri Helps in Detoxification - Navratri is an annual festival, and thus when we give our body a bit of rest by eating light we are giving space to our body cells to produce antioxidants, which helps remove the waste products from our body. 

3. Mindfulness in Navartri - When we skip eating in Navratri, carbohydrates in our diet drastically reduce, for which the body uses fat as a source of energy, the end product of fat is a ketone, these ketone bodies are a good source of energy for the brain cells. This promotes more acetylcholine which increases one’s concentration and helps them to be more mindful. 

Navratri 9 Days Devi Names

Following are the 9 forms of Durga being celebrated in the 9 days of Navratri:

Navratri - Navratri 9 Colours

These 9 colours in the particular 9 days have their significance. The mandirs and pandals are decorated with these colours during the Navratri:

Navratri Wishes

• "Wishing you a joyful Navratri filled with the divine blessings of Goddess Durga. May your life be as colourful and vibrant as the festival itself!"

• "Navratri Wishes! May the nine nights of celebration bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your loved ones."

• "On this auspicious occasion of Navratri, may Goddess Durga shower you with her divine blessings and fill your life with joy and success."

• "May the festive spirit of Navratri brighten your days and bring strength and courage into your life. Happy Navratri to you and your family!"

• "Wishing you and your family a prosperous Navratri. May the blessings of Goddess Durga guide you through every path and challenge in your life."

Did You Know? 

1. Navratri combines two Sanskrit words - Nav means 9 and Ratri means Night. 

2. The 9 Devi incarnations formed into one is known as Goddess Durga.

3. According to historical culture, the gods permitted Goddess Durga to meet her mother once a year, so during this time, Durga came to visit her mother. Thus, it is signified as a Mother-Daughter meeting as well.

4. Garba and Dandiya are not precisely similar. 

• Garba is performed in chants and bhajans and has a more devotional appeal than Dandiya. 

• Garba is performed before arti while dandiya is played in the late evening. 

• Garba is played by hands, feet, and different graceful movements, while Dandiya is played with colourful sticks. 

• Garba is mainly focused on the goddess. While Dandiya is concentrated in Krishna Leela. 

Hope this article had enough insights on How is Navratri celebrated across India and why is fasting done on Navratri. Apart from this, we also know a lot about the nine nights of Navratri. It was a beautiful illustration of Goddess Durga triumphing over the evil power. 

With this being said, now let us end this blog with Navratri Wishes!