Multicultural India

India is a land of festivals. The harmony of different cultures and traditions is best experienced during festivals in the country. One can experience ‘Unity in diversity’ during Dussehra celebrations that take place in every state of the country. The festival is a triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness. Also known as Vijayadashami, Dasara, Durgotsav, the tenth day of Navratri is not only celebrated in India but also in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura, with whom she fought for nine nights. The day also marks the victory over the demon king Ravana. The entire country, from North to South, dons a celebratory look. Whichever part of the country you are in you will experience a different Dussehra altogether. Here’s how Dussehra is celebrated in different parts of the country.                                     ...

                            #Day8 The Eighth day also called Ashtami is the day when Maha Gauri is worshipped. Being the eighth avatar of Durga, according to legend it is said that it was Maha Gauri who liberated the whole world from the bad and evil forces. The idol of Gauri usually has three eyes and four hands and the lower hand usually is seen holding a trishul. The left lower hand depicts her granting blessings to her devotees. Maha Gauri is well known to be fair as milk and is often compared to conch, white flower and also the moon. More often than not, the Goddess is depicted in a white or a green saree and is seen riding a bull. Also popularly known as Shwetambardhara, it is said that offering your prayers to Maha Gauri will help you attain peace and take away all the sorrows from your life. The color followed on this day is peacock green.

                             #Day7 The seventh day of Navratri is popularly known as Saptami all over and on this day Kalratri is worshipped. Kalratri means the dark night. The Goddess has a very aggressive expression and posture with unruly hair and a dark complexion. It is believed that praying to this Goddess will help you stay safe from any kind of troubles or fears and unlike other manifestations of Durga, Kalratri is depicted riding a donkey and not a lion. On Saptami, people wear white and because the Goddess is also popularly called Shubamkari- the one who only does good, white symbolizes the same. Many people also do Sarwastwai Puja on this day since it is considered to be highly auspicious. The color for this day is green.

                             #Day6 The sixth day is Shashti wherein devotes worship Durga in the form of Katyayani. There is an interesting story behind Katyayani. It is said and believed that a sage name Kata had performed many strict yagnas and prayers in order to get the goddess as his daughter. With much devotion and faith, he performed a long penance. Immensely impressed with such intense dedication, the Goddess granted him the boon that he always wished for. And several years later, Kata had a daughter who was named Katyayani and that is how this how Katyayni came into the world. On this day, devout wear yellow colored clothes which is the sixth day color code.

                               #Day 5 The fifth day also known as Panchami is about Kartikeya who had led an army of Gods to fight the demons that were causing destruction in the world. And hence on this day, the goddess is venerated as Skandamata who is also Kartikeya. The goddess hat is represented shows a baby Skanda being held in one arm. The color code of this day is royal blue and you will see people dressed up in this color clothes. Some women also observe fasts on this day called as Lalita Gauri Vrat.

                              #Day 4 The fourth day of Navaratri is also known as Chaturthi. On this day the Goddess is worshipped in the form of Kushmanda. Now for those who are unaware, mythology says that Kushmanda is the Goddess who had created the whole universe only with her laughter. Now if these stories are anything to go by, then it indeed is a fascinating story. Usually if you haven’t noticed, this goddess always has eight to ten hands and on this day the color code is red.

                             #Day3 On the third day also known as Tritiya, the goddess takes the form of Chandraghanta who depicts a perfect combination of beauty and bravery. The name Chandraghanta was given because of the half moon symbol on the Goddess’s forehead and this symbol looks like a bell also known as ghanta. Chandraghanta is a true symbol of strength and bravery to fight evil that in those times came in the form of demons. On the third day you wear the color white.

                                                             #Day2 The second day of Navratri is known as Dwitiya. On this day the Goddess takes the form of a Brahmacharini and a Brahmacharini is the one who strictly and whole heartedly practices austerity. Also a form of Parvati and also Uma, it is strongly believed that the goddess blesses her devotees with prosperity, moksha and also happiness. This day the color orange  is followed and you will see many ladies dressed up beautifully in orange.

nine consecutive nights, usually at the start of October. Though the dates of this festival is dependent on the Lunar calendar, Navratri may extend to a day more or may even be cut down to a day less.                                                                #Day1 Pratipada which is the first day of Navratri is the day when the first incarnation of Durga, Shailputri is worshipped and revered. Shailputri literally means the daughter of mountains. And because Shailputri is another form of power, also known as Shakti, devotes worship and offer their prayers to this Goddess. Because it was a form of Shakti and also wife to Shiva, the bodies of Brahms, Vishnu and Shiva is what makes Shailputri. Like most Indian Gods and Goddesses have more than one name, even this form of goddess is called in different names like Hem...

                 ALL ABOUT NAVRATRI ! Today marks the beginning of Navratri, the nine most auspicious days for Hindus. It has different significance for different parts of the country. The festival typically falls four times in a year. However,  is that time of the year when nine days are spent dancing and celebrating.  Navratri brings non-stop fun for nine days and being one of the most popular festivals of the country, it is celebrated by people all across the nation and even outside. It is more popularly celebrated in cities like Gujarat, Mumbai and also West Bengal. The fascinating part about this festival is that Navratri is celebrated five times in a year, unlike other festivals. However, the most important and the most celebrated of all is the Vasanta Navratri and also the Sharada Navratri.  Celebrated in the honor of Durga, dance and music is the most important part about Navratri. The literal transl...