'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'.
There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals
but all of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various
forms. Though it is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds
special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and
fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season.
The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess)
dressed in red and mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of
Wealth and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three
to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on
a pure white swan.
Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat while farmer
sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In
olden times, this festival was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who
feed us as her children. Sweetmeats are prepared for the celebrations and children
and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. With
commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than
a religious or agrarian festival. In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts
during this season that lasts for the nine days of the festival, only to be opened
on the tenth day of Dussehra. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout
followers of Mother Goddess as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the gaieties
of the season.
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