Navaratri celebrations are all about celebrating the diversity of India. In Sanskrit, the name Navratri means “nine nights”; Nava means “nine” and Ratri means “nights.” Nine various manifestations of the goddess are worshipped over these nine nights and ten days.
Diversity thrives in this environment. Everything about this place is special. Whether it’s language, food, or culture, even clothing varies depending on where we are in the country. It’s no surprise, however, that our worship practices evolve in accordance with our diverse customs and rituals, giving us a distinctly regional flavor. The message being communicated in the form of worship may be the same, but the method we communicate it takes on a completely new taste.
Navaratri celebrations in Northern India
In North India, Navratri commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over the evil king Ravana. The festival’s finale is the Ramlila, which is performed ceremoniously during Dussehra. To commemorate the victory of good (Rama) over evil forces, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, are burned on the ‘Vijaya Dashami’ day.
Mother Divine, her entire creation – all forms of life, all forms of art, music, and wisdom – is honored through special pujas, yagnas, homas, fasting, meditations, silence, singing, and dancing throughout nine days. She is revered as the savior of mankind from all types of evil and ignorance.
Navaratri celebrations in Western India
The famed Garba and Dandiya-Raas dances are performed during Navratri in Western India, primarily in Gujarat. Garba is a graceful style of dance in which ladies gracefully move in circles around a lamp-filled pot. The word ‘Garba’ or ‘Garbha’ means womb, and the lamp in the pot represents life within a womb in this context. The Dandiya dance is a variant of the Garba, in which men and women dance in pairs with small, decorated bamboo sticks called dandiyas in their hands. Ghungroos, or tiny bells, are attached to the ends of these dandiyas, which make a jingling sound when the sticks collide. The dance has a sophisticated beat to it.
Navaratri Celebrations in Eastern India
The last five days of Sharad Navratri are celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal and North East India. Devi Durga appears to be riding a lion and brandishing a variety of weapons. The lion represents dharma, or willpower, while the swords represent the intensity and severity required to combat negativity in our minds. The eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami. In temples and other locations, life-size clay idols of the Goddess Durga representing her destroying the monster Mahishasura have been erected. These idols are then worshipped for five days before being immersed in the river.
Navaratri Celebrations in Eastern India
In south India, Navratri is a time to bring friends, relatives, and neighbors over to see the Kolu, which is essentially a doll and figurine exhibition. Bombe Habba is the Kannada name for this show, which is also known as Bommai Kolu in Tamil, Bomma Gullu in Malayalam, and Bommala Koluvu in Telugu.
In Karnataka, Navratri is known as Dasara. During the nine nights of Navratri, yakshagana, a night-long dance in the form of epic dramas from the Puranas, is performed. The Mysore Dasara is marked by pomp and pageantry, portraying the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated as the state festival of Mysore, which is led by the royal family and their gigantic savari.
Navaratri is a festival of great pomp and shows all across the country. Navaratri celebrations hold a sense of pride, grandeur, and a legacy to them. There are just so many things to do in Navaratri and some of them have already been mentioned above. Also, do let us know in the comments down below your favorite place in India to enjoy Navaratri!
