Navaratri is a Hindu Festival and it is celebrated for nine days. The festival of Navaratri comes with a lot of happiness and excitement. The 9 days of Navaratri are filled with fun, frolic, dance and festivities all around. It is one of the most beautiful festivals celebrated in the country. Navratri is a symbol of good over evil and also celebrates the spirit of Indian culture in its togetherness. In the West Bengal and north-eastern states Navratri is called as Durga Pooja and celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. The nine days represent the 9 avatars of Goddess Durga. 

Let me tell you a story about why this festival is celebrated. According to Hindu Mythology, the Devas battled with the Evil Mahisasura. However the devas were badly defeated.The Devas then decided to call Goddess Durga and she was their only hope. She then battled ferociously and defeated the evil demon Mahishasura. However after she killed him she went on a rampage and couldn’t stop killing. The Devas got scared she would kill anyone and everyone who came in her way. They then went running to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva came and lied down in the path of Goddess Durga. 

Goddess Durga was in a rage and she stepped on Lord Shiva who was purposely lying down in her path. She immediately realised her mistake and her tongue came out. That’s why the idol of Maa Durga is shown with her tongue out. Since then the first day of Navratri, begins with paying homage to Goddess Durga. People pray to her for the wisdom and strength to battle and defeat our own demons in the form of bad habits.On the sixth day the Goddess is welcomed into homes and pandals and the celebrations continue for a few days. Then on the tenth day, known as Vijayadashmi, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in water.The immersion of Goddess Durga symbolises the cycle of birth because We are all made of Earth/Mud and at some point we all will die and become part of the earth. 

In the northern and western states the ten days festival is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. For nine days the that is the mythological tale of Lord Rama known as is enacted on stage and on the tenth and final day, when Rama kills the ten headed Ravana with his bow and arrow, that day is celebrated as Dussehra. On the day of Dussehra an effigy of Ravana is burnt and thus, people celebrate the victory of good over evil.In India, we all celebrate festivals very lavishly. Navratri is the same.Every night is celebrated with dances such as dandiya garba. Families and friends get together and visit pandals and take part in the celebrations. 

Garba or Dandiya, are dance forms which were earlier only performed in Gujarat, but have now become very popular across the country. Dandiya is usually played in the late evening, after performing all the religious rituals. These dances are generally performed in groups and special large scale events are organised where thousands of people can come together for the celebrations. People play navratri till late night. 

During navratri men and women love to wear different types of jewellery, traditional clothes that have vibrant colors and beautiful embroidery. It has become a tradition on each day for 9 days people wear the same coloured clothes. This is to show unity and strength. People believe that fasting during Navratri helps to purify and cleanse the body which has a positive impact on the body.We wish a very happy Navratri and hope that Goddess Durga gives you the strength to fight with all the problems in your life. 

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