One of the biggest Hindu religious and cultural festivals of the year, Navratri, is happening now. It’s nine days of fasts, vigils and rituals honoring the divine feminine as Durga, the Warrior Goddess. In the heroic, age-old battle of good over evil she fought a demon for nine days and won. According to legend the demon couldn't be killed by any man. Symbolizing strength and courage, people pray to her for bravery and to overcome challenges. You may recognize Durga as the one who rides a tiger!
She has been worshiped since ancient times. In Sanskrit Durga means “invincible.” She was initially created by angry energy from the gods, which coalesced into a radiant light. She gained further energy and form from the gods, subgods, the elements, the sun and the moon. Gods presented her with the powerful weapons that she is commonly depicted with.
She destroys the disharmony that creates imbalance in the phenomenal world, which exists in duality. Yet she also symbolizes the oneness of energized consciousness - killing the demon in a way so he could attain heaven and evolve into a good being. As the mother of all beings, Durga doesn’t eradicate evil, but transforms it into positive energy. Lord Rama called on Durga to help him slay the demon king Ravana, another victory celebrated during Navratri.
Across India, a temporary canopy (a pandal) is constructed in an open area, serving as a focus for the celebrations. Each day Durga and another goddess figure are worshiped in a specific way. There is a color, navagraha (planet) and mantra for each day. Verses and devotional phrases from scripture can be recited, as well as the 108 names of the Divine Mother.
People send cards with good wishes to each other during this holy festival. Traditional dances, plays, and pujas are performed. A puja is a special ceremony involving music and araati - a lighted candle or lamp waved in circles around the goddess, along with earthen bowls of incense. Different foods are offered to the deity, which is then blessed and returned as “prasad” - sacred substances to be eaten. This includes various grains, as Navratri is also a celebration of harvest and prosperity.
After nine days of battle, the 10th day (this October 12th) is the culmination of Durga’s victory. A demon effigy (along with a few other demons heroically killed) are stuffed with fireworks and burned, the flames vanquishing evil. A current societal evil will be sent up this way too - last year it was a representation of corruption, this year the addition is one to “destroy evil forces behind crimes against women.”
In the final ritual, Durga will be immersed in a body of water to return to her celestial abode from earth. Navratri has a deep meaning for Hindus. It’s not unusual for 100,00 people to come together in New Delhi to celebrate Navratri!
Hindu deities are not unlike the gods and goddesses of the Greek and Roman civilizations. They are numerous and represent individual characteristics that we can identify with in human experience. With all these gods and goddesses there are bound to be competing interests and the resulting battles!
Peace, love and healing -
Bear
Here is a brief overview of the four main Hindu goddesses as well as a few others!
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