Navratri

9 April 2024 to 18 April 2024

Religious

Katra, Jammu and Kashmir

26°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Every year, a Hindu festival lasting nine nights is celebrated with zest and fervour. The central emphasis of this event is to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, which is consistent with Hindu mythology. Navratri means "Nine Nights," traditionally used to honour the divine Maa Durga. Devotees revere Goddess Durga in her nine glorious incarnations during the nine-day period.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that we celebrate Navratri for various reasons, one of which is the seasonal shift. Nature undergoes modest changes during this time, namely the start of the summer and winter seasons for Chaitra and Sharad Navratri, respectively. Ram Leela is performed for ten days during this time period in northern India. Celebrations include theatrical performances, stunning decorations, and so forth. In northern India, during this period, Ram Leela is enacted for a period of 10 days per Navratri history. Celebrations include stage recitals, decorations, etc.

History of Navratri

Celebrations include theatrical performances, stunning decorations, and so forth. In northern India, during this period, Ram Leela is enacted for a period of 10 days per Navratri history. Celebrations include stage recitals, decorations, etc.

Mahishasura Vadh

According to mythology, there was a period when all three planets were tormented by the wrath of a monster named Mahishasura. And, owing to the nature of his boons, he could not be murdered by humans, demons, or even gods, except by feminine energy. However, because he was all-powerful, Mahishasura thought himself unbeatable and did not think a female was capable of defeating him. Amid all this mayhem, protecting the planet became vital, and it was Goddess Durga who adopted a fierce form to fight the demon. The war is reported to have lasted 9 days and concluded on the tenth day when Goddess Durga decapitated Mahishasura and restored peace to Earth.

Ram Navami

Ram Navami commemorates Lord Rama's birth. The birth of Lord Rama, the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu, represents the triumph of good over evil. Lord Vishnu is claimed to have taken human form to put an end to the demon King Raavana's misdeeds. To do this, he was born in the city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as the son of King Dashratha and Queen Kausalya. Most temples perform Ram Kathas on this day. Major festivals occur in Uttar Pradesh, Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), and Sitamarhi (Bihar). The bhajans, kirtans, and pure devotion pouring in the air make the entire environment dynamic.

Major Attractions of Navratri Festival

1. Vaishno Devi. The festival of Navratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. But the way celebrations are at their peak at Vaishno Devi is really incredible. Although one can visit Vaishno Devi at any other time as well, the yatra during the auspicious time of Navratri offers you an experience which is at the best of its spiritual bliss.

During the first three days of the festival, Goddess Durga is invoked for destroying all the impurities, sins and vices from the people who reach out to Goddess Vaishno Devi for seeking her divine blessings.
The next three days, the Goddess Lakshmi is spiritually revered as a giver of wealth. It is believed that she has the power to bestow unending amounts of wealth to her devotees.
And after that, the next three days are spent offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati, the giver of divine wisdom and knowledge.

2. Bawe Wali Mata Temple. During the nine days of Navratri, the Bawe Wali Mata Temple sees a very heavy rush of devotees. It feels as if every resident of Jammu visits this temple for the darshan of the Goddess. The rush of devotees can be seen from as early as 3:00 am in the morning and continues till late hours as the divine bliss flows in the air. During this time, the entire temple is decorated with flowers and lights for nine days of divine celebrations which are dedicated to the nine different forms of Goddess Durga.

Places in India where Navratri is Celebrated with Full Enthusiasm

Every day of Navratri is devoted to different divine Goddesses. Day 1 is dedicated to Shailaputri. The second day is dedicated to Brahmacharini, the third one to Chandraghanta, 4th one to Maa Kushmanda, 5th one to Maa Skandamata and likewise it goes till Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, Maa Siddhidatri respectively. Durga puja is celebrated across India, but in the eastern and north-eastern areas, it is regarded as associated with Navratri since Maa Durga is recognised for restoring faith and dharma. Let us look at how Navratri is celebrated in different parts of the country.

1. The Durga Pooja of Kolkata

The celebrations begin with tremendous splendour and spirits boosted in honour of the venerated Maa Durga. Durga Pooja is enthusiastically observed in Kolkata for ten days, coinciding with Navratri celebrations in other areas of India. Devotees worship these nine incarnations of the deity, namely Durga, Klai, Jagadamba, Annapoornadevi, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani, and Mookambika. People dressed in fresh yet colourful apparel convey their sincere thanks to Goddess Durga and conduct each ceremony with utmost honesty and belief.

How To Reach Kolkata

International Airport. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
Prominent Railway Stations. Howrah, Asansol, Kalikapur, New Alipur, Kharagpur

Also Read - Best Places To Visit In Kolkata

2. The Saraswati Pooja of Kerala

In this magnificent realm, these night different days are honoured with epic zeal. They celebrate Saraswati Pooja, during which the days of Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadashami are set apart to seek the heavenly graces of the Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom. Not only that but the magnificent temples of Kerala are lavishly decorated to showcase the splendour of the festivities. The most prominent day of Mahanavami is elegantly recognized with the phenomenal Kumari Pooja, in which baby girls are revered as goddess forms with great devotion.

How To Reach Kerala

International Airport. Trivandrum International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram
Prominent Railway Stations. Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Thrissur, Ernakulam

Click Here to Book Flights

3. The Bathukamma Panduga of Andhra Pradesh

These glorious Navratri days are cherished with fervour and devotion to Goddess Shakti in Andhra Pradesh. Bathukamma Panduga signifies 'Come Alive Mother Goddess.' The nine nights are devoted to praising the venerated Idol Goddess Shakti. Women wear gorgeous sarees of striking colours, adorn beautiful jewellery, make hand-made flower stacks called Bathukamma, do pooja in front of the Bathukamma, and finally present it to any holy water body on the last day of Navratri.

How To Reach Andhra Pradesh

International Airport. Vijayawada Amaravati International Airport, Vijayawada
Prominent Railway Stations. Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Dhramavaram, Kazipet

Also Read - 10 Best Places To Visit In Andhra Pradesh

4. The Rann Festival of Gujarat

The Navratri celebrations, which embellish the entire vibes with vibrant colours and encompass immense devotion to Goddess Shakti, are held in this magnificent state. Watching the pure Navratri colours for 9 days and how these celebrations take place in Gujarat is incredible. With vivacious Garba Dance and Dandiya Raas in which both males and females participate, as well as divine aartis performed every night. The lyrical melodies, twirling & swirling, will fully enchant your spirits and fill you with enthusiasm to participate in the festivities. In Gujarat, several communities embrace Maa Shakti wholeheartedly via significant belief and exquisite ceremonies.

How To Reach Gujarat

International Airport. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad
Prominent Railway Stations. Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara

Also Read - 10 Amazeballs Festivals Of Gujarat You Should Add To Your Itinerary

5. The Nadahabba of Karnataka

During the majestic Navratri days, Maa Durga is worshipped with religious zeal. The nine nights are entirely dedicated to nine cherished forms of Maa Durga, with each and every folk seen fasting, adorning with new outfits, serving bhog, and cleaning their entire homes to welcome the sheer bounties of Goddess Durga in her most elemental form. These enthralling celebrations are wonderfully complemented by an elephant parade through the streets of Karnataka, with eye-catching exhibits all around.

How To Reach Karnataka

International Airport. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
Prominent Railway Stations. Chamarajanagar, Mangalore, Mysore, Shimoga, Hubli Junction

Click Here For Hotel Reservations

6. The Ashvin Navratri of Himachal Pradesh

The Kangra, Una, and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh are seen embracing the ceremonies to the fullest with heaps of devotion to Maa Durga throughout the months of Ashwin (September to October) and Chaitra (March to April). For up to nine days, Navratri's magnificent fairs and exhilarating festivities are accented with various mesmerising bhajans and charming folk melodies. The eighth day, or Ashtami, is celebrated with young girls regarded as Kanjaks and adored as Maa Durga, who embodies purity and power.

How To Reach Himachal Pradesh

International Airport. Kangra Airport, Gaggal
Prominent Railway Stations. Barog, Simla, Solan, Dharampur, Summer Hill

Also Read - Top 17 Temples Of Himachal Pradesh

7. The Ghatasthapana of Maharashtra

The concept of rituals remains the same as in Gujarat, with the addition of Saumangalyam- a ritual in which married women are said to invite their friends, apply haldi and kumkum to their foreheads, and present them with beetle leaves, coconuts, and beetle nuts to "remain her wives until her death." Making miniature mud beds in containers where a tiny lovely clay pot filled with water symbolises Goddess Durga is also part of the spiritual rituals. These celebrations are also accentuated by magnificent garba and dandiya evenings. These days, Maharashtrians even buy something new to commemorate fresh beginnings.

How To Reach Maharashtra

International Airport. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Prominent Railway Stations. Kalyan Junction, Thane, Pune Junction

Click Here For Holiday Packages

8. The Holy Ashtami of Punjab

The Punjabis commemorate the festivities by fasting for seven days and worshipping little girls on the eighth day, Ashtami. Kanjika is the term given to this pleasant rite. The massive celebrations take place in the form of Jagrata of Singh Vahini Maa Durga, where people admire goddess Shakti all night long, singing several bhajans and holy chantings.

How To Reach Punjab

International Airport. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, Amritsar
Prominent Railway Stations. Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Abohar, Ambala

If you plan to be a part of the divine celebrations, contact Adotrip.com for a hassle-free booking experience. You can also access the best ongoing festive offers and deals and save big bucks on the same!

Also Read - Best Places for Navratri Celebrations In Gujarat

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Navratri

Q1. What are the nine colours of Navratri?
A1. Being a vibrant festival, the colour themes include yellow, green, grey, orange, white, red, royal blue, pink, and purple.

Q2. What are the Devi names for the nine days of Navratri?
A2. Goddess Shailputri, Goddess Brahmacharini, Goddess Chandraghanta, Goddess Kushmanda, Goddess Skandmata, Goddess Katyayani, Goddess Kalratri, Goddess Mahagauri, and Goddess Siddhidatri.

Q3. How to prepare for Navratri at home?
A3. You can simply place a red cloth asana in your mandir and keep the idol over it. Following this, add Ganga Jal, rice, turmeric and Chandan paste. Decorate the idol with new clothes and fresh flowers. With this, you can worship the Goddess with enchanting mantras and aartis.

Q4. What do the nine colours of Navratri represent?
A4. Here is the list of day-wise navratri colours history and their significance.