NAV-RATRINAV-RATRI NAV-RATRI (nine-NAV-RATRI (nine-

nights), is for the nine nights), is for the nine days when we thank days when we thank the female principle of the female principle of nature and the nature and the goddesses connected goddesses connected to them.to them.

The nine nights are The nine nights are dedicated to the three dedicated to the three main goddesses of main goddesses of Hinduism - Parvati, Hinduism - Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. Lakshmi and Sarasvati.

NAV-RATRINAV-RATRI The first three nights are dedicated to The first three nights are dedicated to

the goddess of action and energy. Her the goddess of action and energy. Her different manifestations: Kumari, Parvati different manifestations: Kumari, Parvati and Kali are worshipped during these and Kali are worshipped during these days. They represent the three natures/ days. They represent the three natures/ classes of womanhood - the virgin young classes of womanhood - the virgin young girl, auspicious wife/ mother and the girl, auspicious wife/ mother and the angry old hag! This is not a criticism of angry old hag! This is not a criticism of women, just a classification. It helps us women, just a classification. It helps us recognize the different aspects of our recognize the different aspects of our own nature.own nature.

Kumari, the Kumari, the virgin young virgin young

girlgirl

ParvatiParvatiauspicious auspicious wife/ wife/ mothermother

Kaali, the angry old womanKaali, the angry old womanThis is not a criticism of women. The classification helps us recognize different aspects of our own nature

LakshmiLakshmi is worshipped for the next three days in her various aspects as the goddesses of peace, plenty and bliss.

Fulfillment is more important than wealth itself. As the goddess of wealth, she governs not just the bank balance, but also such basic things as family, friends, food etc.

SaraswatiSaraswati is the goddess of knowledge. Not just the knowledge of how to earn a living, but how to "live" as well. She is the goddess of the spiritual knowledge and the knowledge that frees us from this bind of Samsara. She is worshipped during the final three days of the Navratri.

NAV-RATRINAV-RATRI The nine nights are there for us to revel in the The nine nights are there for us to revel in the

knowledge of the goddesses that live within us, knowledge of the goddesses that live within us, imbibing us with their spiritual energy and power. imbibing us with their spiritual energy and power. Used for the good, they help liberate us from the mire Used for the good, they help liberate us from the mire of this world (help us attain NIRVANA). Use these of this world (help us attain NIRVANA). Use these energies unwisely, and they will snare us in the maya energies unwisely, and they will snare us in the maya of this world. We should meditate these aspects of the of this world. We should meditate these aspects of the nine nights, that was the reason they originally came nine nights, that was the reason they originally came into being. into being.

This festival is devoted to the Mother Goddess known This festival is devoted to the Mother Goddess known with different names as Durga, Kali, Bhavani, Amba, with different names as Durga, Kali, Bhavani, Amba, and Chandika, has been celebrated in it's most unique and Chandika, has been celebrated in it's most unique and different ways in various parts of India and abroad and different ways in various parts of India and abroad with devotional songs, bhajans and cultural programs with devotional songs, bhajans and cultural programs with the world renowned Garba or Dandiya Raas in the with the world renowned Garba or Dandiya Raas in the state of Gujarat.state of Gujarat.

Durga

This festival is This festival is celebrated in celebrated in most unique and most unique and different ways in different ways in different parts of different parts of India and abroad India and abroad with devotional with devotional songs, bhajans songs, bhajans and cultural and cultural programsprograms

with the world with the world renowned Garba renowned Garba or Dandiya Raas or Dandiya Raas in the state of in the state of Gujarat.Gujarat.