Navarathri - The Celebration of the Divine Feminine
Navarathri, translating to “nine nights” in Sanskrit, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus. The festival marks the beginning of autumn, usually falling in September or October. The beginning of autumn is seen as an ideal time for worship because the season brings with it both solar influence and climate change, which can negatively affect us all. During Navarathri, the Mother Goddess or Divine Feminine Energy is thanked for keeping the universe in balance and for bestowing upon us the power to maintain our physical and mental health.
Some cultures believe that the festival of Navarathri came into existence as a celebration of good over evil after Goddess Durga destroyed an evil demon king following ten consecutive days of fast. Thus nine different forms of Durga are celebrated. In Tamizh culture, the various aspects of the Mother Goddess are adored through the worship of the three goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi, respectively. Each night, the Goddess being worshipped is offered padayal, and devotional songs are sung. Some set up a place of worship/figurine display called golu consisting of various idols of Gods, Goddesses, men, women, children, animals, and plants.
Durga is celebrated the first three nights for her strength and courage, and she is said to remove all impurities from her devotees. The next three nights are devoted to Lakshmi as devotees pray for blessings of wealth and prosperity. Saraswathi is celebrated during the final three nights as devotees pray for wisdom and knowledge. On the ninth and final day, Sarawathi Pooja is held in homes, schools, and temples. A feast of sattvic food is offered to the Goddess, and books and instruments are placed in front of the Saraswathi idol to invoke her blessings. In order for success, the blessings of all three Goddesses are needed, hence the celebration and worship of courage, wealth, and wisdom.
The day following Saraswathi Pooja is referred to as Vijayathasami, and it is regarded as a highly auspicious day. It is customary for children to write their first letters, start new forms of art, and begin new ventures.