New Delhi, October 18, 2023, Wednesday

Navratri, the festival of devotion and worship, is being celebrated in the country. Garbo dance of Gujarat is known all over the world during Navratri. In India, Navratri is one, singing the glory of Bhakti and Shakit, but its worship is many. In Navratri, Shakti is worshiped all over the country but varies according to local customs and traditions in each state. Navratri is dedicated to Durga, symbol of Shakti. Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and other Hindu deities are also worshiped in some southern states. These different worships fill the rainbow colors of unity in diversity.

(1) In UP and Bihar Ramlila is celebrated during Navratri in UP and Bihar. The life of Lord Sri Rama is dramatized from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Shakti is worshiped and special aarti is performed in holy temples. Local people decorate the pandal and recite Shastra Durga Saptashati. (2) In West Bengal the worship of Mahisasur Mardini Durga Ma is of special importance.

Artistic Durga idols are decorated in pandals on different themes every year. Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati are also worshipped. Navratri Pujo is a grand tradition. The main puja begins on the 6th day of Navratri. The worship of Mahalaya, Shasthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Mahanavami is of special importance. On the tenth day, Goddess Durga is sent away from Dhamdhom. Dhaka's thap, pandal-hopping, delicious dishes and beautiful attire are the biggest hallmarks of Navratri. Assam, Jharkhand and Tripura also celebrate Durga Puja festival in a similar manner.

(3) In the ancient city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka, the tradition of Navratri or Nadhabba festival has been going on since the 17th century. It was celebrated by the Vijayanagara dynasty to commemorate Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. Mysore Palace is decorated like a royal bride. People come from far and wide to see the sight of more than one lakh lights. After Navratri, a grand Dussehra procession called Jambo Savari takes place on the streets of Mysore.

Elephants are beautifully decorated. (4) Women in Andhra Pradesh worship Gauri as Saumya Devi. Unmarried women perform pooja for their chosen partner. The festival is called Bhathukamma Panduga in Telugu which means living in the goddess. A pile of flowers is made for the worship of the goddess which is eventually discharged into a river or lake.

(5) Navratri festival lasts for 45 days in Bastar of Chhattisgarh. which culminates with a traditional ceremony at the Muria Darbar on the 13th day of Shukal Paksha of Aso month. In earlier times, a meeting was organized by the Maharaja of Bastar to resolve the public issues.

(6) Another custom in Tamil Nadu is the display of kolu (doll idols) during Navratri ceremonies. It is intended to depict popular legends from Hindu scriptures. Apart from Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are also worshiped on different days during Navratri. Ayudho is also worshiped on Mahanavami day. Agricultural implements, books, music, instruments, machinery and automobiles are decorated with Goddess Saraswati.

(7) Himachal Pradesh is home to many deity temples. Navratri celebrations are organized with great fanfare. Navratri begins after Sesha Bharat Puja ends. Lord Raghunath is worshiped along with other deities with a nine-day long festival at Dhalpur Maidan in Kulighati. Kullu Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of these festivals.

(8) Durga's kirtan and night vigil are held in Sinhvahini on the nine days of Navratri in Punjab. There is a tradition of fasting in the first 7 days. On Ashtami and Navami days, nine girls are worshiped and sacrificed. This is known as Kanjika. (9) The festival season starts with Navratri in Rajasthan. Navratri in Rajasthan is famous for Dussehra Fair. A 72 feet tall effigy of Ravana is burnt in Kota.