E-Paper | November 17, 2024

India's Navratri Festival

Agencies Published October 7, 2013
The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are considered to be important junctions of climatic and solar influences. – Photo by AFP
The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are considered to be important junctions of climatic and solar influences. – Photo by AFP
Navarathri represents a celebration of the Goddess Amba. – Photo by AFP
Navarathri represents a celebration of the Goddess Amba. – Photo by AFP
During the first three days of the festival it is believed that the goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga, also known as Kali, in order to destroy all human evils as well as to bestow blessings. – Photo by AFP
During the first three days of the festival it is believed that the goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga, also known as Kali, in order to destroy all human evils as well as to bestow blessings. – Photo by AFP
During the next set of three days Lakshmi, the Mother, is venerated as a deliverer of spiritual wealth, who is considered to have the power of bestowing upon her devotees inexhaustible wealth, since she is revered as the goddess of wealth. – Photo by AFP
During the next set of three days Lakshmi, the Mother, is venerated as a deliverer of spiritual wealth, who is considered to have the power of bestowing upon her devotees inexhaustible wealth, since she is revered as the goddess of wealth. – Photo by AFP
The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. – Photo by AFP
The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. – Photo by AFP
The eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami, which is especially revered in Bengal and Bihar. – Photo by AP
The eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami, which is especially revered in Bengal and Bihar. – Photo by AP
Hindu devotees read a copy of the 'Durga Stuati' during prayers for the Navratri Festival, at the Mata Longa Wali Devi temple in Amritsar. – Photo by AFP
Hindu devotees read a copy of the 'Durga Stuati' during prayers for the Navratri Festival, at the Mata Longa Wali Devi temple in Amritsar. – Photo by AFP
The final set of three days is spent worshiping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to attain over all success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship. – Photo by AP
The final set of three days is spent worshiping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to attain over all success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship. – Photo by AP
Hindu devotees pray during the Navratri Festival at the Mata Longa Wali Devi temple in Amritsar on October 5, 2013. – Photo by AFP
Hindu devotees pray during the Navratri Festival at the Mata Longa Wali Devi temple in Amritsar on October 5, 2013. – Photo by AFP
Navratri is celebrated twice a year during the spring and autumn seasons and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. – Photo by AP
Navratri is celebrated twice a year during the spring and autumn seasons and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. – Photo by AP

Navratri commences on the first day of the fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin and is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. Navratri is celebrated twice a year during the spring and autumn seasons and symbolises the triumph of the forces good over evil. Feasting and fasting takes over normal life for millions of Hindus during Navratri, the festival of nine nights.

Read more

On DawnNews
Dawn News English

Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.

Latest Stories

dawn images site

Most Popular

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

Must Read

Opinion

Editorial

Football elections
17 Nov, 2024

Football elections

PAKISTAN football enters the most crucial juncture of its ‘normalisation’ era next week, when an Extraordinary...
IMF’s concern
17 Nov, 2024

IMF’s concern

ON Friday, the IMF team wrapped up its weeklong unscheduled talks on the Fund’s ongoing $7bn programme with the...
‘Un-Islamic’ VPNs
Updated 17 Nov, 2024

‘Un-Islamic’ VPNs

If curbing pornography is really the country’s foremost concern while it stumbles from one crisis to the next, there must be better ways to do so.
Agriculture tax
Updated 16 Nov, 2024

Agriculture tax

Amendments made in Punjab's agri income tax law are crucial to make the system equitable.
Genocidal violence
16 Nov, 2024

Genocidal violence

A RECENTLY released UN report confirms what many around the world already know: that Israel has been using genocidal...
Breathless Punjab
16 Nov, 2024

Breathless Punjab

PUNJAB’s smog crisis has effectively spiralled out of control, with air quality readings shattering all past...