Gourav Sabharwal
Our religious festivals and rituals are matchless in one or the other way. They are based on logic and certain scientific backgrounds can also be attributed to their origin. They are invariably ingrained and beneficial to the mankind vis-à-vis to the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. Physical, mental, and spiritual growths are inseparable aspects of life requisite for a blissful and pleasant life. This may be the founding stone for our rituals and festivals. The essence of Hindu festivals is that they all are related to some or the other astronomical events or change of seasons. Navratri is not an exception to this rule. Everyone is acquainted with two Navratri festivals being celebrated in a year all over the world by the Hindus. But there are four Navratri’s in Hindu calendar in a year. Other, two are known as Gupt or secret Navratri. All the four Navratri are associated with the astronomical events known as Equinoxes and Solstices. Equinoxes occurs twice in a year when days and nights are of equal duration i.e., March 21 and September 22. This is the period when Vasant and Sharada Navratri’s are observed. The Solstices also occur twice in a year when days and nights are longer, June 21 (longest day) and December 22 (longest night). Vasant (Chaitra) Navratri is observed in March/April during Vernal Equinox – March 21. This year Chaitra Navratri being observed from 2nd April 2022(Dates changed every year in tandem with Hindu Calendar. Variation of up to 14-15 days may occur every year). While Sharadiya Navratri is held during the period of Autumnal Equinox- September 22. The two Gupt (secret) Navratri, which happen during Solstices, are observed by the householder and spiritual seekers alike. These are largely observed by people who perform Tantrik Vidya or seekers of psychic powers and devotees of Goddess Adi Shakti (Mother Divine Power). They are observed in consonance with two Solstices. Ashadha Navratri falls in June /July during the period of summer solstice June 21, that also marks the beginning of the monsoon season while Pausha/ Magha Navratri falls during December/January, that also signals the change of season. Of the four, the Shardiya Navratri are celebrated with much enthusiasm and religious fervour by devotees. They are also known as Mahanavratri. These four periods of Navratri are the focal points of changes in our life. They mark the end of what is old, spent, harmful and birth of something new. They may be considered as period of introspection, rejuvenation, and rebirth on all the three planes: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. This is the time to bring everything in balance. Balancing of everything in life is paramount for the existence of human beings. Equinoxes and the Solstices mark the transition period between the two seasons. During this period bacteria thrive, and viral infections /diseases are at their peak. The body at the same time needs time to adjust to the climatic and environmental changes. Excessive and wrong eating habits, abnormal sleeping patterns and seasonal changes are main factors that lead to low immunity. It also creates imbalance in the body by disturbing the three bio-elements-Vata (Gas), Pitta (Bile) and Kapha (Phlegm). Certainly, the Navratri is the right time to detoxify and revitalize the body, by balancing the three cardinal humors. To keep the right balance in the body, fasting is very important and is an essential part of the Navratri celebrations. According to age and health parameters of devotees, some people have only one meal a day or would avoid certain food stuffs. People mostly avoid and abstain from certain high energy food stuffs like meat, grain, alcohol, onion, garlic, processed foods etc. Devotees mostly prefer gluten free grain alternatives, fresh fruits, yoghurt etc. as these can be easily digested. Divine Energy symbolized by Adi Shakti (Primal Energy) is invoked to help control and cleanse the nine openings (Nou Dwar) of the physical body, viz two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, one anus and a urinary opening. It is said whatever you eat, it is reflected in your thoughts and mind. In Ayurveda, foods have been divided into three categories, depending upon their nature and response they trigger in the body after being consumed. Raajasic Foods, Taamasic Foods and Saatvik Foods, during fasting, people eat Saatvik foods. Apart from religious aspect, there is scientific reason behind it. For instance, Shardiya Navratri falls in the month of October- November, which is the transition period from autumn to the winter season. Due to seasonal change, our immunity tends to decline. Consumption of Saatvik foods during this season gives your digestive some rest and cleanses body of all impurities. The word Saatvik is derived from the word sattva, which means something that is pure, natural, vital, clean, energetic, and conscious. Saatvik foods include fresh fruits, curd, rock salt, seasonal vegetables and subtle spices like coriander and black pepper. Garlic and onion are not allowed, as they are known as Rajogini; a substance that can make one lose grip over their instincts and one fails to differentiate between desires and priorities. Raajasic and Taamasic foods are referred to things that are unripe, weak, resentful, and destructive. During Navratri, people are supposed to denounce the worldly pleasure and adopt a pure and simple life for nine days. So, these foods are avoided during this time as these tend to distract your focus.Navratri is also the period of cleansing the mind of the nine evil forces – These are lust, anger, greed, delusion, ego, jealousy, doubt, attachment, and hatred. These evil forces are responsible for downgrade and abasement. Devotees who fast during Navratri also try to have control over these forces so as avoid declination in their life. Denouncing these forces helps to maintain communal harmony, brotherhood, and empathy for all creatures. Fasting also has psychological benefits including strengthening one’s will power and removing emotional blocks. It also helps devotees to build self-confidence to face the challenges in life and live in harmony with other people. This is the time when one reflects inwards. Self-control and discipline help to rid the mind of its impurities and nurture noble values. This aspect has gained more importance in modern times as, many people suffer from depression. Mental Rejuvenation is more relevant today, as mind and body should be both healthy. Mental control combined with control over physical desires and urges help the devotees to elevate spiritual status. People involve themselves in spiritual practices such as meditation, pranayama, reciting holy scriptures etc. All the forms of Adi Shakti (Primal Energy) are worshipped to help us destroy our basic, gross carnal tendencies and invoke the Divine Power within ourselves. This is the time when devotees recharge their dormant energies and activate their progress to the divine world. The nine number is considered complete, perfect, and divine number, represents culmination of wisdom and experience. The number of Mala beads for Jaap is 108, the total of which is also 9. Nine forms of Adi Shakti are worshipped during Navratri. Each has been assigned one day of Navratri. Their names are: 1) Shailaputri – Daughter of Mountain.2) Brahmacharini – Mother of devotion and penance 3) Chanderaghanta- Destroyer of demons. 4) Kushamanda- Goddess of cosmic egg 5) Skanda Mata- Goddess of motherhood and children 6) Katyayani- Goddess of power 7) Kalaratri- Goddess of auspiciousness and courage 8) Mahagauri- Goddess of beauty and women & 9) Siddhidhatri- Goddess of supernatural powers. Navratri is a festival of nine nights. It has a valid reason. Religious scriptures mention that. Meaning that Shiv represents daytime while Shakti is active during the night-time. Shiv and Shakti are one; so also, a day and night represents one complete day. Shiv is also known as Ardhnarishwar. The day is full of activity; while energies are invoked and recharged in the silence of the night. Hence worshippers of the Feminine Primal force (Adi Shakti) always choose the night-time to worship the Devis – the Goddess. Physical, Mental and Spiritual rejuvenation change the life of devotees to such an extent, that they lead a blissful life. Energy is essential for all living things. Thus, there is a cardinal rule to recharge and rejuvenate during Navratri to live a delighted, blissful, and prosperous life. There are different legends associated with Navratri in different parts of India: o North India: In North India it is believed that once there was a mighty demon Mahishasura who performed penance for Lord Shiva and gained unlimited power. Drunk with power he started terrorizing heaven and earth, terrified Gods asked Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva asked all Gods to combine their powers and create a divine female warrior Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga fought demon Mahishasura for nine days and nights and at the end of the ninth night, she beheaded the demon. Thus the tenth day of Navratri is also celebrated as Vijayadashami. Another legend is that Lord Ram worshipped Maa Durga in her nine manifestations for nine nights before the war with demon king Ravana. On the tenth day Lord Ram slayed the demon king Ravana. Thus the nine nights are celebrated as Navratri and the tenth day as Vijayadashami or Dusshera. o East India: In East India it is believed that Maa Uma, the daughter of king Daksha, the king of the Himalayas was a devotee of Lord Shiva and wanted to marry Him. To win over Lord Shiva Maa Uma performed severe penance and managed to please Lord Shiva. But King Daksha wasn’t pleased with his daughter choice and once when he organized a Yajna he didn’t invite Lord Shiva. Angered with her husband’s insult Maa Uma ended her life by jumping into Agnikund of the Yagna. Thus Maa Uma came to be known as Goddess Sati, Maa Uma took re-birth and again won Lord Shiva as her groom. It is believed that during Navratri, Maa Uma comes down to earth every year with Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati and Laxmi and two of her best friends Jaya and Bijaya. This celebration sums up to the celebration of good over evil. Devotees plead the Gods and Goddesses to restore dharma. Bengalis design pandals, decorate them and hold pujas, feasts and fun activities are organised to celebrate the festival. Everyone is dressed in their best. Idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya and Goddess Saraswati are installed. Devotees keep fasts. Some fast on the first and the last Navratri and some keep it on all 9 days. Unmarried girls are worshipped and fed as they are said to be incarnations of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is worshipped every day for prosperity and success. Some people invoke the idol of the Goddess into a Kalash and offer a Bhog of milk, fruits and dry fruits every day. On the tenth day, Vijayadashami is celebrated by immersing the into a water body. Traditional customs require devotees to skip consuming non-vegetarian foods and alcohol during the period. A light, Sattvik diet should be followed during the festival. Some devotees also fast for all the nine days.
