Navratri is an auspicious holiday in which people who follow the traditions of the Hindu religion celebrate the religious triumph of good over evil.
It translates to “nine nights” each of which symbolizes a different aspect of this victory. But what most don’t tend to realize is that it brings a whole new meaning to feminism and appreciation of women all across India.
Navratri is believed to have begun when the demon Mahishasura who abused his divinely granted powers of immortality to cause pandemonium on Earth. In hopes of ending his reign of terror, Hindu God of rain Indra and a deity summoned by all of the gods, Durga, set out to defeat him. They waged a nine-day war against him until he was finally triumphed over.
These nine days have now been celebrated for hundreds of years and are still observed to this day.
The first three days of this holiday are dedicated to the goddess Durga herself, who is known as the Goddess of power. Her three alternate avatars are Kumari, Parvati, and Kali, and they too are celebrated during these days. They represent childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, respectively, which demonstrate the evolution and maturation of a person throughout their lives.
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The next three days are centered around Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, peace, and prosperity. The meaning behind this is pretty straight forward, as probably any normal person would want the three of these things in their life.
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The last three days are meant to worship Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. In celebrating what she symbolizes, people hope to bring the gifts of knowledge and understanding into their homes and their lives and free themselves from “samsara” or worldly subjection.
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The tenth day, or the ending of Navratri, is called Dussehra, and it is the day that Lord Ram did “pooja”, or prayer, to have goddess Durga grant him blessings to defeat Ravana, the ten-headed demon.
Navratri is celebrated in many different ways in the various parts of India. For instance, in the Northern parts of India, bonfires are lit to observe this holiday. In Western India, the traditional dance of “garba”, where people dress up and dance in circles around a “mandvi”, which is a structure that houses a religious idol, water, and other auspicious items. Usually, polished sticks are added into the dance to emphasize and elevate the rhythm of the music. In Southern India, a “kolu”, or a display of dolls is usually called for, and women typically exchange items of religious importance with one another, which include but are not limited to vermillion and flowers.
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Although Navratri means various things in different cultures, and it is celebrated in all sorts of ways, there are definitely universal messages that women can take away from these empowering religious stories and traditions.
On the first three nights of Navratri, feel connected to your inner strength. You will see the goddess Durga in your reflection when you awaken your courage.
On the next three nights, find the time to reflect and bring peace to your mind. You will feel the serenity and blessings of Lakshmi wash over you with every breath you take.
On the last three nights, think about all that you have learned throughout your life, and look to the future with the mindset that everything is a learning experience. You will know that goddess Saraswati walks with you on your path every step of the way.
On the tenth day, spare a few minutes from your day to remind yourself that you, like the female Hindu deities, have the power to cultivate, nurture, and disassemble. The three deities that so many people look to for guidance are truly within you, and you have to look no further than yourself for the signs you need to keep you going on your journey.
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