Hindu · 30 September 2027
Sharad Navratri begins
शारदीय नवरात्रि आरंभ
Nine nights of the Goddess: Durga is worshipped in her nine forms.
Why it is celebrated
From Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the nine forms of Durga (Navadurga) are worshipped, one each night — from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri.
The story behind it
The buffalo-demon Mahishasura won a boon that no man or god could kill him, and drove the gods out of heaven. The gods combined their powers into one blazing form — Goddess Durga — who fought him for nine days and nights and slew him on the tenth. Lord Rama also worshipped the Goddess for nine days before his battle with Ravana. Navratri celebrates the victory of good over evil and the power of the divine mother.
How to celebrate
- Install the kalash and sow barley (jau) on the first day
- Fast or eat satvik food; worship one form of Durga each day
- Dance garba and dandiya at night (Gujarat)
- Wear the colour of the day if your family follows it
More from this calendar
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