Autumn Navaratri 2024
October 3 @ 12:00 am – October 12 @ 12:00 am
Navaratri is a significant festival that spans nine nights (and ten days), during which various forms of the goddess Durga are worshiped. The word “Navaratri” comes from Sanskrit, where “Nava” means nine and “Ratri” means nights.
Each day of Navaratri is dedicated to a different form of Durga, with devotees offering prayers, fasting, and performing rituals to honor her. Navaratri symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The goddess Durga is invoked to destroy the negative forces of ignorance, pride, anger, greed, and jealousy, among others.
Devotees observe fasts, perform devotional songs, dances, and prayers. Some people fast for all nine days, while others might fast on specific days.
The tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, marks the end of Navaratri and the victory of good over evil. It is a day for new beginnings and is considered auspicious for starting new ventures.