What is Navratri ? Know

The term ‘Navaratri’ is used to denote the nine nights (nau ahoratra) during which the worship of the nine forms of Shakti takes place. The word ‘ratri’ signifies the night. Our ancient sages have accorded more significance to the night than to the day, which is why traditions like Diwali, Shivaratri, and Navaratri involve celebrating various rituals and festivities during the nighttime.

Although our scriptures mention the significance of the nine nights of Navaratri in the month of Ashwin, it is more commonly celebrated during the Chaitra and Ashadha Navaratri, which occur in the months of Chaitra and Ashadha, respectively. These are sometimes referred to as ‘Gupt Navaratri.’ In the Chaitra Shuklapaksha, we celebrate Ramanavami, which is the ninth or final day of Chaitra Navaratri. Nepalis particularly revere Sharadiya Navaratri, which falls during the Ashwin Shuklapaksha of the Sharad Ritu.

Navaratri involves various rituals such as yajnas, mantra chanting, Durga Puja, Durga Shaptashati recitation, and tantric practices. Worshiping the divine as Shakti during Navaratri is deeply rooted in our tradition and scriptures. Shakti worship involves recognizing the power within oneself and harnessing it. Those who wish to practice Shakti worship during Navaratri must focus their minds on the powerful mantras and rituals, and if they cannot perform the rituals, they can still attain spiritual benefits by observing purity and discipline, including consuming satvik (pure) food.

According to sages and modern science, many disturbances in nature come to an end during the night. Modern science agrees with this concept. For instance, during the daytime, sound travels less, but during the night, it travels further. Besides the chaos and noise during the day, there are scientific facts such as the interference of the sun’s rays with radio waves, which are blocked during the daytime but improve during the nighttime. Radio provides a living example of this phenomenon. Even low-power radio stations can be heard more clearly during the night, but the same radio stations are easier to hear after sunset.

Scientifically, it is believed that the sun’s rays interfere with radio waves during the day, which is why they are disrupted. The same principle applies to the transmission of mantras, where the sun’s rays can interfere with the transmission of waves. This is why the sages and munis have emphasized the importance of the night over the day. Shakti worshippers take this into account, and when they recite mantras and perform rituals, they do so with a strong resolve and high concentration during the specific times, ensuring that their desires are fulfilled.

Nepalis celebrate Sharadiya Navaratri, also known as Ashwin Shukla Navaratri, as a special festival. It symbolizes the victory of the goddess over the demon Mahishasura and the protection of gods and humans. During Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, a clay pot is established, and it’s consecrated following specific rituals. For nine days, regular worship of the clay pot takes place, and on the tenth day, the clay pot is symbolically demolished by the goddess. After the successful celebration of this Navaratri, the tenth day, which marks the victory of the goddess over Mahishasura, is when people receive blessings and tikas from their family members.