Link between Navratri and Ramayana - Durga and Rama
Navarati is a holy festival that spreads across nine nights (Navaratri). It is celebrated across India by Hindus unanimously. All the 9 days, the festive fever is high. The markets are flooded with lights, pooja paraphernalia made of mud, home décor frills, lamps, scrumptious delicacies, sweets, and not to miss the Garba and Dandiya. Navratri is celebrated in four seasons, meaning four times in a year. But the Navratri that follows the season of autumn is observed as the most auspicious one. Also known as Sharad Navratri, it honors the feminine divine power.
As the country is immersed in the festive spirit of Navratri, here is a quick look on why we celebrate Navratri, how it has a connection with the Ramayana and the various ways in which it is celebrated in different parts of the country.
Though there are many reasons behind the celebration of this nine-day festival, all the different stories from folklore set out a common message of “victory of good over evil”. There are mainly two legendary stories that form the basis of the history of this divine festival.
Navratri and Ramayan
The first story about Navratri is followed by the Northern and Western parts of the country. It represents the victory of Lord Rama over the malevolent Ravana, who kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita. During Navratri, one can witness the recital or enactment of the epic ‘Ramayana’. The tenth day marks the ultimate fight between Lord Rama and Ravana. Lord Ram courageously kills the ten-headed demon by shooting an arrow in his navel, which is the source of his power. Ravana dies and Lord Ram hails victory.
This entire sequence is recreated in Ramlila that concludes on the tenth day with the celebrations of Dussehra. The effigies of Ravana and his brothers Meghnad and Kumbhkaran are brunt. During the festival, people dress up in traditional clothing, keep fasts, offer prayers to the Lord and distribute sweets to relatives and friends.
This fair (mela) is set up at many places for people to visit and enjoy the show. It is a small religious celebration with food, dance, fun rides, games and more. Elders can also be seen chanting scriptures and telling stories of Gods.
To put it simply, it is a modern depiction of Indian culture. The elders of the family also perform chanting of the scriptures during these nine days.
According to Ramayan, Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman, and the Vanar Sena worshipped Mata Bhagwati for nine days from Pratipada of Ashwin Shukla Paksha to Navami. They later attacked Lanka on Dashami. It is from that time onward that the tradition of worshipping Maa Durga during Navratri began.
Maa Durga’s Brave Story
The second story followed in the Eastern and Northeastern states of India is about Goddess Durga. It is believed that Maa Durga fought a battle with the buffalo demon Mahishasura to bring back peace and Dharma to the world. She successfully fought over the demon and her success is celebrated every year through the Durga Pooja. Maa Durga’s brave story can be found in the epic ‘Devi Mahatmya’. Devi Durga represents power and purity. Goddess Durga’s daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati are also worshipped during Navratri. Nine avatars (incarnations) of the Goddess are showcased and on the 10th day (Vijayadashami) a procession carrying an idol of the goddess is immersed in water.
In the southern states of India, Navratri is celebrated by worshipping different goddesses and celebrating their victory.
9 Days of Celebrations
During durga puja, you will find thousands of stages (pandals) set up across many places. The first-day puja is to remember the divine goddess, her brave fight with Mahishasura and paying homage to ones who lost their lives. With this, it is the end of the period of Shradhh, also called Pitri-Paksha, a period when Indians pay homage to their dead ancestors. It is on the sixth day when the idols of Goddess Durga are welcomed in the homes of devotes and the pandals. Also, the celebration of the Durga Puja begins with full zeal and valor. Religious ceremonies, poojas, and rituals are carried out for the next 8 days. The tenth day, known as Vijayadashami, is when the idol of goddess Durga is immersed in water.
Apart from Lord Ram and Goddess Durga, other deities like Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, Shiva, Kartikeya, and Krishna are also paid homage and worshipped in various parts. Goddess Saraswati is specifically admired as she is the epitome of learning, wisdom, music, and arts. The Ayudh Puja, performed on a ninth day, is a ritual to thank Goddess Saraswati.
