Navaratri is dedicated to the goddess of Power, Durga . In ancient mythology, it is said that gods contributed Devi Durga with ten deadly weapons to save the world from evil in her battle with Asura. Brahma granted Kamandal(water pot), Chakra was given by Vishnu,Shiva gave Trishul, the Vajra (lightning) was given by Indra,the kuthar(axe) by Viwakarma, the kaladanda (rod)was bestowed on Durga by Yama, the naga (serpent) by Vasuki. The kharga and dhal (shield) was gifted by Surya and the dhanuswar ( bow and arrow) by Vayu and these weapons were empowered by the mantras recited by the persons who were seeking Durga to succeed. The ten armed Durga is also named as Kali, Bhavani, Amba and Chandika. It is believed that the mantras have a power to protect human beings from any detrimental forces. Devi Durga , the goddess of power is offered red hibiscus as it is the color of power. Following the tradition , it has become a custom to offer one hundred and eight lotuses on her daily puja.
Navaratri comes twice a year, the Sukhla paksha(waxing moon) of the lunar month of Ashwin , being the first, in September or October in the Autumn, and the second occurs during the first nine days of the bright two weeks of the Sukla Paksha of the lunar month of Chaitra, in mid March to mid April, the Spring time. The nine days of Navaratri are the most consecrated time of the year as in this period Maa Durga can be invoked and her blessings can remove all the evils of adverse karmas and procreate prosperity, health and wealth to her devotees.
Parvati, Laksmi and Saraswati are worshipped throughout these nine nights.
In the Navaratri festival, the first three nights are dedicated to the goddess of action and energy through her various manifestations of Kumari, Prvati and Kali. Laxmi , the goddess of wealth , peace and abundance , is worshipped during the next three days in her various aspects. Lakshmi having four hands denotes four aims of human life. In one hand she holds a lotus flower which symbolizes the never ending life and the permanence of soul. The second hand , holding another lotus specifies detachment from worldly power or maya. The lotus symbolizes the opening up of soul or charka. The third hand of Lakshmi spreads blessings to everyone with fortune and affluence. Another hand of her is open and points towards the earth, giving the support to human beings.
The blessing of Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, is invoked on Lalita Panchami, the fifth day of Navaratri. During the last three days of Navaratri , the Goddess of knowledge is worshipped. People of culture and art seek her consecration for their higher artistic skill and success. One achieves spiritual knowledge which she contributes, to free one from the bind of maya or material world. Yagnas, the final act o farewell and gratitude are performed on the eighth and the ninth day of Navaratri.
Navaratri allows one to devote and to feel the sacred existence of the Goddess while assimilating the spiritual energy and inner spirit to free the souls from maya of the worldly existence and to make the entire year consecrated.
