Navratri 2024

Significance of Navratri (Navratri 2024 Special)

The holy festival of Navratri 2024 begins on October 3 and concludes on October 12 with Vijayadashmi (see more details here). We all know that the 9 days of Navratri are dedicated to the 9 forms of Maa Durga, which we also call Navdurga, but do you know the significance of Navratri? Each form of Goddess Durga signifies some qualities. If we awaken these qualities within ourselves, then after Navratri, like Vijayadashmi, we too can achieve victory. It can be said that the 9 forms of Goddess Durga make us aware of the qualities that are required for success.

Let us know the qualities of Nav Durga and the Significance of Navratri 2024

Shailputri

The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailputri. This form of Goddess represents the virtue of commitment and firmness. Shail means mountain, which stands firm even in the most difficult situations, similarly, one should stand firm and committed in difficult situations and face the situations.

Brahmacharini

This form of the Goddess represents discipline, penance and sacrifice. For success in life, first penance and sacrifice are necessary. Just as Goddess Brahmacharini practiced penance and sacrifice with discipline, then she attained Lord Shiva. Similarly, when one remains disciplined, practices penance and sacrifices, then one attains success.

Chandraghanta

In the scriptures, the moon is described as the mind. Goddess Chandraghanta represents keeping the mind under control and awareness. Only an aware person can see the opportunity and the one who keeps the mind under control, definitely gets success.

Kushmanda

Goddess  Kushmanda represents possibility, growth or progress. Goddess develops the inner mind. Just as Goddess Kushmanda created the universe, similarly our inner mind has infinite possibilities that can take us towards growth and progress.

Skandmata

This form of Goddess represents compassion, love and sensitivity. Just as a mother has love and compassion towards her child, similarly a human being should be compassionate and sensitive towards the world.

Katyayani

This form is the goddess of nurturing and relationships. Goddess Katyayani works to bring sweetness in relationships and in this form the mother killed Mahishasura. This form of the mother shows that humans should keep sweetness in their relationships and protect the society.

Kaalratri

This is the fierce form of the Goddess which shows that the woman who can create a world, a new life, the same woman can also take life by taking a fierce form to establish Dharma. This form of the mother teaches us that while we should be compassionate towards the world, at the same time, when there is injustice, we should end it and establish Dharma.

Mahagauri

‘Gauri’ means white, which signifies gentleness and purity. Another meaning of Gauri is knowledge. It is written in Shrimadbhagwadgita that nothing is as pure as knowledge. From this form of Goddess, we learn that we should establish the purity of knowledge within ourselves and remove the darkness of ignorance.

Siddhidatri

This form of Goddess signifies achievement and perfection. We learn from this form that we should remain dedicated and persistent towards our goals and keep evolving so that we get success.

When we follow these qualities of Goddess Durga and understand the importance of Navratri and inculcate them in ourselves, we get victory after Navratri like Vijayadashami.

Victory of righteousness over evil

In every context of Navratri, it is seen that this festival is a symbol of the victory of Dharma over Adharma. Whether it is the killing of Mahishasura or the destruction of Ravana, Navratri teaches us that whenever evil increases, Shakti (Durga) appears.

Importance of Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is celebrated at the end of Navratri. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with the burning of Ravana. The day of Vijayadashami teaches us that truth and Dharma are sure to win, and we should follow truth and morality in our lives.

When we imbibe these qualities of Maa Durga in our lives, we can also achieve victory in our lives like Vijayadashami after Navratri. This festival inspires us to overcome our weaknesses and move towards success and victory.

Read about significance of Navratri in Hindi Here