The Festival of Nine Nights
This nine-day festival of the Hindus is celebrated in almost all parts of India in the month of Ashvina, and is marked by fasting and praying to different aspects of Devi.
Literally `nine nights`, this nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day of Ashvina is considered the most auspicious time of the Hindu Calendar and is hence the most celebrated time of the year. Although it has different names in different parts of India, it is celebrated by Hindus from all regions. From Kashmir in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, and from Gujarat in the west to Sikkim in the east, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the conquest of good over evil. Every region has its own myths and reasons to explain this.
The nine different aspects of Devi are worshipped over the nine days.These are the most popular forms under which she is worshipped:
Durga: goddess beyond reach;
Bhadrakali: the auspicious power of time;
Amba orJagdamba: mother of the world;
Annapurna: giver of food and plenty;
Sarvamangala: auspicious goddess;
Bhairavi: terrible, fearful, power of death;
Chandika or Chandi: violent,wrathful, furious;
Lalita: playful; and
Bhavani: giver of existence.
The festivities culminate on the tenth day, called variously Vijayadashmi, Dushehra or Dassain when people in most parts of the country burn effigies of Ravana, Meghanatha and Kumbhakarna (see also Dushehra). The nine-day period from the first to the ninth day in the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitrais also known as Navaratri and is dedicated to the worship of nine different aspects of Devi. These ninedays are however, popular in north India only. The ninth day in this month is also celebrated as Ramanavami.
Some people fast on all nine days, eating only fruit and milk dishes. Some fast only on the eighth or ninth day. As the festival is dear to the mother goddess, on the eighth or ninth day many people invite over nine young girls from the neighbourhood. These girls are treated as the goddess herself. People ceremonially wash their feet, worship them and then offer food to the "girl-goddesses".
On the first day of the Navaratras, grains of barley are planted in the puja room of the house. A small bed of mudis prepared in which barley seeds are sown after a small puja has been performed. Every day some water is sprinkled on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3 - 5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from god. The seedlings are placed on their caps, behind their ears, and inside books to bring good luck. This custom suggests a link to harvesting. The sowing and reaping of barley is symbolic of the "first fruit" (see also Pongal). Soon after this festival, the sugar cane crop is harvested and the winter crops are sown.
According to one hypothesis, in ancient times, this was a festival intended for the Kshatriyas. After the four-month long monsoon when military activity was not possible, this was considered a good time to start afresh on one`s conquests. For nine days before starting on the war journey, kings prayed to the nine different aspects of Devi or Adishakti. They also prayed for their arms and ammunition. The tenth day was when the journey for the conquest began.
The origin of this custom can alsobe traced to the Ramayana. Accordingto it, Rama had to pray to the nine different aspects of Devi to be able to kill Ravana. He then accumulated enough power to kill Ravana on the tenth day, which was called Vijayadashmi or Victory Day. Since then, the tradition of praying to Devi for nine days has continued and was especially pronounced amongst the Kshatriyas who believed that by doing so, they too would be able to defeat the most powerful enemy.
With the change in social order and the establishment of democracy, the original significance of this festival is lost. Today, it is celebrated more for its mythological significance and reaffirms the Hindu faith in the triumph of good. Even today, the nine different forms of the goddess are worshipped.
Though several communities of Hindus are staunch vegetarians, Navaratri is one exception. On the eighth day, an animal is sacrificed by many communities, specially Gurkhasand other hill tribes who are believers in the Devi cult. This blood sacrifice is a form of thanks giving to the goddess for a wish that has been granted. People often sacrifice a buffalo, symbolic of the killing of Mahishasura by Durga (see also Durga Puja).
In Bengal, this period is celebratedas Durga Puja.
In Gujarat, this is the time for the joyous Garba and Dandia dances and people pour out at night to participate in this community festival. Women and girls in all their fineries dance around the garba pot, clapping their hands in rhythmic movement. The pot is decorated with flowers, betel leaves, and has its mouth covered with acoconut.
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days of the festival are dedicated to Lakshmi, the next three to Durga and the last three to Sarasvati.