Navratri 2014 – The Nine Nights Festival

Navratri - Navdurga Festival 2014

Navratri 2014, the nine day grandeur festival dedicated to Goddess Durga will be celebrated from September 25^th till October 3^rd in 2014. During the Navratri festival which means nine nights, 9 forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped and revered. The period of Navratri is considered as most auspicious to worship the divine mother Goddess Durga and do Shakti Sadhanas.

During the festival of Navratri, for nine consecutive days and nights devotees fast, offer ritualistic Navratri Puja and also become part of colorful celebrations. The festival of Sharad Navratri is celebrated during the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin which is around September-October as per Gregorian calendar. The festival of Navratri is celebrated all across India with some variations.

During the nine days of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped in Her nine forms namely Goddess Shailputri, Goddess Brahmacharini, Goddess Chandraghanta, Goddess Kushmanda, Goddess Skandamata, Goddess Katyayani, Goddess Kalratri, Goddess Maha Gauri and Goddess Siddhidatri. After nine days the festival of Navratri ends on the day of Dusshera or Vijayadashami.

During the nine days of Navratri, the first 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the second third to Goddess Lakshmi and the final third to Goddess Saraswati. On the ninth day of Navratri, ‘Kanya Puja’ is done when nine young girls symbolizing the nine Goddesses are worshipped and fed.