New Delhi, India (CU)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the auspicious occasion of the nine-day Navratri festival. The PM took to Twitter and expressed his wishes that Navratri will bring health and prosperity to people and their lives. The auspicious celebration began today morning and will continue for nine days till October 5. This year, as per the Hindu calendar, the third and fourth days of the festival fall on the same day, which makes October 15 the tenth day of Dussehra celebrations.
During the celebration of Navratri, Hindus worship goddess Durga in her nine forms namely Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmcharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri. People worship Maa Shailputri, who is believed to be a form of Parvati and a reincarnation of Sati, on the opening day of the nine-day celebration. Her name consists of the terms Shail (mountain) and Putri (daughter), which together signify daughter of the mountains.
This nine-day-long celebration is commemorated across India every year. The term ‘Navaratri’ denotes nine nights and the victory of the nine incarnations over the forces of evil. According to the Hindu calendar, the first day of the month Ashvin, which corresponds to September-October in the Gregorian calendar, is known as Shukla Paksha.
In general, India celebrates the Navratri festival with high spirits and in a variety of ways. Ramlila, a festival in which episodes from the Ramayana are enacted, is held mostly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh in northern India. The burning of King Ravana’s effigies on Vijayadashami marks the culmination of the festival. While the event is commemorated throughout the nation with traditional ceremonies and festivals, individual customs are more prevalent in different states.
