Navratri is one of the major Indian festivals celebrated five times a year! This festival continues for nine nights, accompanied by several rituals, pujas and grand celebrations!
Like other festivals, children also participate actively in the Navratri celebration and have a gala time with their friends and relatives! However, they hardly know why Navratri is celebrated and the facts associated with it. Thus, as adults, we can help them understand the significance of this festival through some lesser-known facts about Navratri!
1. The story behind Navratri
Kids love listening to or reading mythological stories! If you tell them the story behind Navratri, they would love to hear it! In Indian mythology, Mahishasura is the king of Asuras.
He once worshipped Lord Brahma, and seeing his devotion, he blessed Mahishasura that no man could kill him ever, and he would be immortal. It made Mahishasura all-powerful, and he, along with other asuras, started to attack people on the earth and gods in heaven.
When it became unbearable, all the gods united and created Goddess Durga, and each god gave her a weapon to kill the demon. Only a powerful woman could destroy him, as Lord Brahma only said, ‘no man can destroy you.’ Maa Durga fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights, and on the tenth day, she beheaded Mahishashura.
Kids need to realise that Navratri celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
2. We worship the incarnations of Goddess Durga.
The nine days of Navratri are devoted to different forms of Maa Durga. One of the lesser-known facts about Navratri is that each day of this festival, the devotees or worshippers wear different colours that symbolise the significance of the days.
On Day 1, we worship Goddess Shailaputri, an incarnation of Parvati, to reach the height of consciousness. Day 2 celebrates Brahmacharini; Day 3 is to worship Chandraghanta. Goddess Kushmunda prevails on Day 4, and on Day 5, we worship Skandamata. Day 6 evokes the Goddess Katyayani; Day 7 is devoted to Goddess Kalaratri. Goddess Mahagauri and Goddess Siddhidatri are worshipped on Day 8 and Day 9, respectively!
All these incarnations are different forms of energy that we seek from Goddess Durga. You kids must know the significance of each form of the Goddess and women’s inherent power and strength in general!
3. Different parts of India celebrate Navratri differently.
Every part of the country celebrates Navratri differently. However, typically during Navratri, devotees choose to fast during the day, having only water, milk, fruits and nuts. They eat a full meal only after sunset for these nine days.
The celebrations of Navratri also involve lots of dancing. Garba and Raas are two traditional dance styles integral to Navratri. Through these dances, people seek blessings from the Goddess Durga.
However, you must tell your kids that the bonding between family and friends strengthens during these dances and celebrations. Every family member dances together and forgets about their miseries for some time!
Do you know other lesser-known facts about Navratri? Please do share with us in the comments below!
