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Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights (and ten days) and is celebrated every year in the autumn.
Navaratri
Austin South Asian | October 2021
bolizing the evil is burnt with fireworks, marking the destruction of evil.
ent ways throughout India. Certain people revere different aspects of Durga and some people fast while
It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian cultural sphere. Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri.
For most contemporary Hindus, it is the Navaratri around the autumn equinox that is the major festival and the one observed. To Bengali Hindus and to Shakta Hindus outside of eastern and northeastern states of India, the term Navaratri implies Durga Puja in the warrior goddess aspect of Devi.
However, in practice, it is the postmonsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri that is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October The word Navaratri means ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja is synonymous with Navaratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon Mahishasur to help restore dharma. In southern states, the victory of Durga or Kali is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of good over evil based on a regionally famous epic or legend such as the Devi Mahatmya. Celebrations include worshipping nine goddesses in nine days, stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals, and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture. Hindu devotees often celebrate Navaratri by fasting. On the final day, called Vijayadashami, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as a river or ocean, or the statue sym-
In the past, Shakta Hindus used to recite Durga’s legends during the Chaitra Navaratri, but this practice around the spring equinox has been declining.
The festival also starts the preparation for Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami
others feast.
Navaratri is celebrated in differ-
The Chaitra Navaratri culminates in Ram Navami and the Sharada Navaratri culminates in Durga Puja and Vijayadashami.
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Painting and essay competitions
In other traditions of Hinduism, the term Navaratri implies the celebration of Durga but in her more peaceful forms, such as Saraswati – the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, music, and other arts. In Nepal, Navaratri is called Dashain, and is a major annual homecoming and family event that cel-
ebrates the bonds between elders and youngsters with Tika Puja, as well as across family and community members. Navaratri and goddess worship is mentioned in the historic Sikhism literature, particularly in the Dasam Granth traditionally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. According to Louis Fenech, the Sikhs have historically mirrored the reverence for Devi Shakthi and the worship of weapons in a manner similar to those by Shakta Hindus. The second Guru of Sikhism, Guru Angad, was an ardent devotee of goddess Durga. The Jains have observed the social and cultural celebrations of Navaratri with Hindus, such as the folk dances. The stavan poetry of Jainism, states M. Whitney Kelting, “draw much of their imagery from the garba poems” of Hinduism.
Gandhi Jayanti
He is also known as the”Father of The Nation”and this title was given to him by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for his relentless struggles for our independence Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated yearly on 2 October. It is one of the official declared national holidays of India, observed in all of its states and territories. Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, including at Gandhi’s memorial, Raj Ghat, in New Delhi where he was cremated. Popular activities include prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions.
Raghav Raja Ram, is usually sung in his memory. Statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout the country are decorated with flowers and garlands, and some people avoid drinking alcohol or eating meat on the day. Public buildings, banks and post offices are closed. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was India’s tallest leader of the independence movement.
are conducted and best awards are granted for projects in schools and the community encouraging a nonviolent way of life as well as celebrating Gandhi’s effort in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi’s favourite Bhajan (Hindu devotional song), Raghupati
He successfully led India’s nonviolent movement against the British, which in turn inspired many civil rights movements across the world. Gandhi had studied law and he went to South Africa to represent a client. Upon return, he joined the Indian National Congress and led nation-
wide campaigns for farmers, peasants, and labourers. He also fought against caste discrimination and fought for expanding women’s rights. He led some of the most historic movements in India’s freedom struggle. He led Indians to break the salt law, through the Dandi March in 1930, which helped Indians believe that they can challenge the might of the British. He also led the Quit India movement in 1942. Mahatma Gandhi believed in religious pluralism. He wanted India to be a secular nation and he fought to make it a reality. Gandhi was killed by nationalist Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948.
