Navaratri

About Navaratri festival ... The beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The dates of the festival are determined according to the Hindu calendar.

The Navaratri festival or ‘nine day festival’ becomes ‘ten days festival’ with the addition of the last day, Vijaya-Dashami which is its culmination. On all these ten days, Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga) is worshipped with fervor and devotion.

• Sharad Navaratri - This is the Sharad Navaratri, which is celebrated during Sharad Rutu (beginning of winter) (Sept-Oct). This is also called Maha Navaratri. Sharad became Sharada in some places. This celebrates the slaying of Mahishasura by Durga. The festival is observed in most parts of India - especially in the East and South. In South India some observe it as commemorating the slaying of Bandasura.

• Basant Navaratri - This Basant Navaratri is celebrated during Basant Rutu (beginning of summer) (March- April). This Navaratri is celebrated in North India. Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu observes Navaratri during this period.

• Ashad Navaratri - This Ashad Navaratri is particularly important for all Upasakas of Varahi- Celebrated in July-August. This is called Guhya Navaratri in Himachal Pradesh. Varahi is one of the seven Matrikas of Devi Mahatmya.