Navratri 2009

‘Nav’ means ‘nine’ and ‘ratri’ means ‘night’. Thus, ‘Navratri’ means ‘nine nights’. Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest and most widely practiced religions. As the great Hindu sage Sri Ramakrishna has said, “There can be as many spiritual paths as there are spiritual aspirants, and as many Gods as there are devotees.” Chaitra Navratri, also known as Chait Navratras, as the name indicates is observed during the Chaitra month (March – April) in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. Chaitra Navratri is known by different names like Ram Navaratri, Vasant Navratri, Basant Navrathri and some people also refer it as Spring Navaratras. Dark Green colour is used and the color of the Saree to wear is Dark Green.

The Goddess of first day during Saran Navratri is dressed in Dark Green coloured saree. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion. Her various incarnations – Kumari, Parvati and Kali – are worshipped during these days. Navratri, the festival of nine divine nights is full of festivity and merry making.