NAVARATRI FESTIVAL – 2024
Navaratri is a major Hindu festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Durga and her nine forms. The name “Navaratri” literally means “nine nights” in Sanskrit. The festival is observed over nine nights and ten days, typically in September or October, depending on the lunar calendar.
Key aspects of Navaratri:
- Nine Forms of Durga: Each day is dedicated to one of the nine forms of the goddess Durga (also known as Navadurga), and people worship a different manifestation each day.
- In South India, it’s known for the Golu (a display of dolls) and worship of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom.
- Color Traditions: Each day of Navaratri is associated with a specific color, and people wear clothing of that color.
- Ending: The tenth day is Vijayadashami or Dussehra, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. In many regions, effigies of Ravana are burned to mark this victory.
Navaratri in 2024 will begin on Thursday, October 3rd, and will end on Saturday, October 12th. These nine days are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms, with each day focusing on a different manifestation of the Goddess.
Here’s a breakdown of the dates:
October 3: Day 1 – Devi Shailputri
October 4: Day 2 – Devi Brahmacharini
October 5: Day 3 – Devi Chandraghanta
October 6: Day 4 – Devi Kushmanda
October 7: Day 5 – Devi Skandamata
October 8: Day 6 – Devi Katyayani
October 9: Day 7 – Devi Kalaratri
October 10: Day 8 – Devi Mahagauri
October 11: Day 9 – Devi Siddhidatri
October 12: Vijayadashami (Dussehra), symbolizing the victory of good over evil.