Navratri 2012 - Sharad Navratri in 2012

Maa Durga

Durga Devi is the generator and maintainer of the material universe and the universal mother form of the universe. She has many aspects, and her nine major aspects manifest during the 9 day and night navarati period, twice a year.

The September-October Navaratri is known as the 'maha' or great navaratri. This Maha Navratri or Sharad Navaratri celebrates Durga devi's destruction of the Mahishasura buffalo demon.

Devi is also known as Mahishasurmardini after this event--destroyer of the Mahisha asura (demon).

Mahishasura terrorized swarga-loka and prithvi-loka and took over the swarga planets defeating the universal administrators (devas). In her role as 'protector of the fortress' (durga-devi, 'durg' meaning fortress), she destroyed this demon and his forces in the course of the 9 days of the Maha Navratri.

What the 9 days and 9 nights of Navratri mean for all of us

As beings who live in devi-dham, the land of Durga devi, the nine nights Navratri period is an excellent opportunity to progress ourselves spiritually while living in the material zone. We get an opportunity at this time to closely approach Durga-devi whose job it is to keep us in material illusion while she helps us to rectify our binding karma. It is only her energy that takes us away from ignorance as she blesses us. This is because knowledge of our real spiritual state without being able to approach the spiritual zone would be extraordinarily cruel and painful.

Durga devi or 'Maya' is Yogamaya transformed

Durga devi or Mayadevi is the shadow form of transcendental Yogamaya who is constantly meditating on Govinda, the Supreme source of all sources. Without spiritual empowerment however, one cannot reach the transcendental world where Yogamaya helps souls to serve Govinda, and become transformed as devotees of the Lord.

With this knowledge our karma healers can approach the Navratri period for their spiritual and material benefit. Using the healing empowerment measures as taught, the Navratri period will benefit you greatly, and help you to download the energies of red, gold and silver and prosper for now and the year ahead.

Significance or importance of Durga Navratri Puja is mentioned in several Puranas and other scriptures. As every other Hindu festival, Navratri also has some particular reason or factors to celebrate or observe. Hindu culture and way of living was started with Shakti worship. In other sense, every Hindu religious legend is associated with Shakti pooja. Puranas urge that Shakti Puja is the base for Hindu culture and Hinduism.

During the time of Navratri, in some places farmers get their yield from farmyards. In those places, Durga Navaratri is celebrated jubilantly. This is the main reason behind grand celebrations of Navaratri in Karnataka and Bengal.

Sharad Navratri – Tridevi Vrata

During Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine different forms. During Navratri pooja, first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of courage, next three days to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and the final three days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Durga Navratri ends with Vijaya Dashami on the tenth day. Navratri festival signifies power, wealth, prosperity and knowledge.

Lakshmi Pooja Significance in Durga Navaratri

As per Hinduism, Goddess Lakshmi is the source of all types of wealth. Lakshmi puja in Navratri days, frees devotes from poverty and all other sorrows and keeps him prosper. Lakshmi is worshipped as Kamala and Maha Laxmi during Navaratri.

Durga Pooja Significance in Sharad Navaratri

The triumph of good over evil is Mahishasura mardhini. Navratri represents the demolition of Mahishasura and Shumbha Nishumbha. Mahishasura is the hidden evilness and Shumbha Nishumbha is the bad behavior of a person. Mother Goddess demolishes the both which means Durga Pooja makes one free from evil thoughts and routes him to the spiritual world.
In Eastern states of India particularly Bengal, the last four days of Navratri are observed as Durga Pooja. Durga Pooja is the most celebrated festival in Bengal.

Saraswati Pooja Significance in Sharad Navratri

Saraswati Pooja is observed from seventh day to ninth day during Durga Navaratri. On Saraswati puja day, studies are initiated for children (Vidyaarambh or Vidyabhyasa arambh or Aksharabhyasa). Saraswati Pooja is also observed on Shri Panchami.

Other than these three Mother Goddesses, devotees also worship Gayatri, Lalitha, Amba, Jagaddatri, Ashtamatrikas (Eight divine Mothers) and Dasa mahavidya (10 Maha Vidya Goddesses) during Durga Navarartri.

Navratri festival begins on the first day of the bright phase during Ashwin month and ends with Vijaya Dashami. Durga idols are worshipped for nine nights and immersed in water on Dasara.

Three important aspects of life – the power of courage, the power of wealth and the power of knowledge – are provided during Durga Navratri to all the devotees who worship Goddess Shakti. Hence, Durga Navaratri holds the credit of most celebrated festive season.