According to Hindu religious belief, Goddess Durga is believed to be the savior of the universe and eradicator of all hindrances. ‘Navratri’ or ‘Nava Durga Parva’ is believed to be the most auspicious days of ‘Sadhana’ of ‘Shakti’ (the sublime and absolute energy) that propels God to create, restore and destroy. In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the two great epics of Hinduism, Goddess Durga has been worshipped by Ramachandra, King Ravana, and Lord Krishna respectively before the initiation of each grand war. Be a part of this festival of profound religious significance by worshipping the Goddess and indulging in vibrant festivities.
Navratri is one of the most popular festivals of Hindus, celebrated with devotion and fervor by Indians at every corner of the globe. This festival includes fasting, having vegetarian food, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti), and recitation of religious hymns or prayer, meditation, and sacred texts related to Goddess Durga. On this occasion, different avatars of Maa Shakti are worshipped on different days. The nine nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vijayadashami or Dussehra when the idols of the Goddess Durga/Shakti are immersed in the river or pond. Dussehra is considered one of the most important festivals in India. Though the festival celebrates Durga (the Goddess of power and strength), Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth), and Saraswati (the Goddess of knowledge and learning) but all three Goddess are the incarnations of Goddess Shakti.
Navratri celebrations and customs are different in different places across India. Jammu witnesses the puja of Vaishno Devi while Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal. No matter how different the customs are, the common theme remains the same all over: the triumph of good over evil. All nine days are full of rituals, the chanting of mantras, and the singing of folk songs. The festivities conclude with Ramlila on the day of Dussehra. Dussehra is a nationwide celebration that brings families and friends closer.
Gifts to India can make this year’s Navratri a special one for all your friends and family. You can also find various other gifting options for various occasions and events in India. They can easily be used to send online gifts to India to different age groups in your family.
The festival of Navratri begins on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin and ends on the tenth day which is known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. The festival is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in states such as West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab. It is a nine days festival. Throughout these nine days, nine forms of Goddess Shakti are worshipped. People keep fast and offer prayers to Goddess Shakti. Garba dance is performed grandly in the evening. Everyone wears new apparel, and attractive jewelry and celebrates the festival with verve and gaiety.
