Navratri (nine nights) - Celebrating the divine feminine

Navratri is one of the most enigmatic festivals of India that goes on for nine nights and ten days. It is celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. The tenth day of Navratri is celebrated as Dusshera which also marks the triumph of good over evil.

How did it originate?

• Mahishasur, a buffalo demon, desperately wanted to defeat the Gods
• He started a long penance and stopped eating. He began to pray to Lord Brahma, the creator
• When Lord Brahma visited him, Mahishasur asked for one wish - to become immortal
• However, Brahma refused to grand him his wish saying that no living creature is immortal.

Mahishasur was ready for an answer. He immediately changed his words and asked Brahma to grant that he could not be killed by a man, a beast or a God.

So Brahma granted his wish that he could only be killed by a woman.

Mahishasur believed that he was immortal and no woman could fight or kill him. He set out to destroy the world. He attacked the Trilok - earth, heaven and hell. He was invincible.

The Trimurthi Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) tried to stop him but were unsuccessful, since he could only be killed by a woman. So Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva concentrated their energies together to create an invincible woman.. A Goddess.

Goddess Durga was born

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva gave her their weapons to carry in her multiple arms. Mounted on lion, she set out to destroy Mahishasur.

The great battle

The battle lasted for nine days. The demon kept changing shape to confuse Goddess Durga. At the end of the ninth day, Goddess Durga finally killed Mahishasura, who had taken the form of a huge buffalo. She dealt him a death blow to the chest with Lord Shiva's trident.

Goddess Durga's nine day battle is celebrated as a nine day festival with much fervor and enthusiasm across the country. For nine days, a different form of Goddess Durga is worshipped.

A celebration of women empowerment all over India

India celebrates Navratri differently in every region

East - the myriad hues of Durga puja

West - The graceful twirling of women's skirts as they dance to the garba

North - Inviting little girls as guest of honor for "kanya puja"

South: Exchange of betel leaves with nuts and "sundal" eating sessions.

Navratri is a celebration of women - The "Shakti" worship or divine feminine power, where the female Goddess is worshiped in all her manifestations.

Wishing our followers a very happy Navratri! May these nine days light up your lives!