HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS : 3-1.

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3. Durga Puja or Navaratri-1.



SALUTATIONS to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe.

This festival is observed twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja. It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga.

During Navaratri (the word literally means “nine nights”) devotees of Durga observe a fast.

Brahmins are fed and prayers are offered for the protection of health and property.



The beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence.

These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother.

They are indicated respectively by the Rama-Navaratri in Chaitra (April-May) and the Durga Navaratri in Aswayuja (September-October).

The bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change on account of the changes in Nature.

Sri Rama is worshipped during Ramnavmi, and Mother Durga during Navaratri.


Swami Sivananda

To be continued  ....




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