India's "Nine Nights Festival" www.deekpay.com

What is the Nine Nights Festival?

The Nine Nights Festival isIndiaA nine-day celebration, this is an important festival for all Hindus. The festival of nine nights is celebrated in many ways, people worship different incarnations of Goddess Durga and seek her blessings, while people express their devotion to the Goddess through fasting and worship.

Every night during the Nine Nights Festival, people gather to celebrate the triumph of good over evil by organising a lavish Dandiya night.

Origin of the Nine Nights Festival

The festival of the Nine Nights may have its origins in several Hindu myths. According to Hindu classics, Mahishasura was a powerful demon who was blessed with immortality due to his devotion to Brahma. However, this came with one condition - he could only be killed by a woman.

Mahishasura was so sure that no woman could touch him, let alone kill him, that he became fearless. When his callousness transcended all boundaries, the gods created Goddess Durga, who would kill and put an end to Mahishasura.

Goddess Durga was equipped with many weapons before fighting the demons. The battle lasted for about nine days, during which the demon kept changing its form to confuse the goddess. On the tenth day, Goddess Durga finally killed Mahishasura, who was disguised as a buffalo.

This festival celebrates the epic battle which lasts for nine days and a different incarnation of Goddess Durga is worshipped every day. People wear different colours each day which is important for the incarnation of the day. It is a festival of colour and culture and is celebrated by people seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga.

Celebration of the Nine Nights Festival

The festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. The rituals celebrated on the festival include prayers to Goddess Durga, singing devotional hymns, offering sweets, fruits and gifts, and visiting family members. From Goa to Gujarat, from North India to West Bengal, from Bihar to Karnataka, and other parts of the country, there are many different traditional practices, spiritual customs and festivities celebrated. In addition to this, people celebrating the festival pay special attention to their attire during the nine days of the Nine Nights Festival. Different colours have special significance and should be worn on specific days. Throughout the festival, devotees wear their finest national costumes that feature eye-catching designs, rich colours and vibrant embellishments to reflect the Goddess Durga and the joyous victory of good over evil.

Food eaten during the Nine Nights Festival

Fried or boiled potatoes Kadhi Alotiqi banana split Mahaney Ki Sabzi Fruits and Juices Sabudana Kher curd lassi Kuttu atta roti with kaddu sabzi or aloo sabzi

Most devotees fast for nine days, but some fast for only two days. During the fast, one should abstain from daily grains such as wheat, but may consume fruits, milk, tea, coffee, potatoes and a meal of sago food such as kuttu (singhada) atta and special rice. Sea salt is used in cooking instead of regular table salt.

Significance of the Nine Nights' Festival

Each day of the Nine Nights Festival has a special significance and is dedicated to Durga and her eight incarnations or avatars.

Day 1: Sharaputri

It means Daughter of the Mountain King (Shaila-Mountain, Putri-Daughter). She has two hands in place of the lotus and trident and sits on a bull. The earliest version of the Hindu goddess Durga, Shailaputri, is commemorated on the first day of the nine-day festival of Nine Nights (Navratri). The word 'Shailaputri' is derived from the words 'Shaila' (mountain) and 'putri' (daughter). As she is the daughter of the Himalayas, Shailaputri is sometimes called Parvati or Hemavati. She is revered by her followers, who pray to her for fortitude and courage and wish her a happy and prosperous life. Devotees fast and pray to Sharaputri during the Nine Nights Festival to get her blessings.

Day 2: Brahmacharini

In this form, she holds a "Kumbha" or water pot in one hand and a string of rosary beads in the other. She is the repository of knowledge and wisdom. She is dressed in a vajra bodhi. The Hindu goddess Brahmacharini is honoured on the second day of the nine-day festival of nine nights. The words "Brahma" and "charini" denote a person who practices or perseveres, and together they form the word "Brahmacharini". According to legend, Brahma represents wisdom, virtue and austerity. Devotees worship her for the benefits of spiritual development, purity and wisdom. Devotees fast and pray to Brahma during the Nine Nights Festival to obtain her blessings.

Day 3: Chandragupta

Chandraghanta means supreme bliss and knowledge. She rides on a tiger and has ten hands and three eyes. Eight of her hands hold weapons, while the remaining two bear the seals of giving and stopping harm. Chandra, meaning moon, and ghanta, meaning bell, are the roots of the word "Chandraghanta". She is also known by the names Chandika, Ranchandi and Durga. Chandraghanta is regarded as a symbol of boldness, fortitude and courage. Devotees worship her for the blessings of safety, overcoming obstacles and fears. Devotees fast and pray to Chandraghanta during the Nine Nights Festival to get her blessings. It is believed that worshipping Chandragupta helps to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity and peace.

Day 4: Kushmanda

The fourth night began with the worship of Maa "Kushmanda," who has eight arms and carries weapons and rosary beads. Her mount was a tiger with a sun-like aura." The word "Kushmanda" was coined using three words ": "Ku" (meaning "a little"), " ushma" (meaning warmth or energy) and "ada" (meaning egg). Thus, Kushmanda refers to the person who formed the universe out of small eggs. Kushmanda is considered to be the representative of energy and light. Worshipping Kushmanda is believed to improve one's health, bring happiness and success.

Day 5: Skandamata

In this form, Maa Durga holds her son Kartikey (also known as "Skand") on her lap while displaying three eyes and four hands; two hands are holding a lotus flower, while the other two are in the gestures of guarding and granting. The words "mother of Skanda" and "mata", which make up the name "Skandamata", are the origin of the name. According to Hindu mythology, Skandamata is the mother of Skanda. Skanda was created from the energy of Lord Shiva. Skandamata is said to provide strength, courage and wisdom to her devotees.

Day 6: Katyani

She was named Katyayani because she had performed penance in the convent of saint Katyayan. This sixth Shakti also rides a lion with three eyes and four arms. The left hand holds a weapon and the left hand holds a lotus flower. The other two hands make defensive and granting gestures. Katyayani is revered for her bravery, strength and ability to defeat enemies and is considered to be the warrior form of Durga. Worshipping Katyayani is believed to help overcome challenges, triumph and succeed in conflicts.

Day 7: Kalaratri

Maa Kalaratri is the purifier of darkness and ignorance. She has black skin, abundant hair, and four hands, two of which hold knives and torches, while the remaining two bear the handprints "give" and "protect". She is riding on a donkey. The words "time" and "night" in Kaalaratri, Kala and Ratri are the origin of the name. Her name is also Shubhankari, meaning "one who does good". According to Hindu mythology, Kalaratri is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance, and the one who bestows wisdom, perseverance and protection on her devotees. According to legend, the demon Raktabija, who had the power to double himself with every drop of blood that fell to the ground, was killed by the goddess Durga in the form of Kaalaratri.

Day 8: Mahagali

This form of Sakti exudes peace and compassion. She wears a white or green sari and holds a drum and trident in both hands. She is often depicted riding a bull. Mahagari is depicted as a lovely woman riding a white bull with four arms. She is seen as a representation of innocence, serenity and peace. The words "Mahagauri" and "Gauri" both mean greatness or extremity and symbolise the purity and beauty of the subject. Mahagauri is revered because it is believed to bring happiness, prosperity and peace to people's lives.

Day 9: Siddhartha Tree

Seated on a lotus flower, she is most commonly seen with 4 arms and has 26 different wishes to fulfil her devotion. Maa Siddhidatri's famous pilgrimage centre is located at Nanda Parvat in the Himalayas. It is said that by worshipping her, one can achieve self-realisation and escape from the cycle of birth and death.