| The modern science tells us that the ecosystem of | | | | among nine forms of Durga. |
| the earth is driven by energy received from the Sun. | | | | Shailputri: The first day (pratipada) belongs to |
| This ecosystem is steadily functioning on its own | | | | "Shailputri". This name is synonyms with Parvati, |
| without any other stimulus. The entire cycle of birth, | | | | daughter of Himalaya. She took an oath to marry Lord |
| growth and death continues in this energy driven | | | | Shiva and she is worshiped for this rock solid |
| planet. This confirms that energy is the most important | | | | determination. The underline moral is to work hard for |
| component for keeping a system in a functioning state. | | | | achieving success. |
| The same philosophy was prevalent in the earlier | | | | Brahmacharini: The second day (dwitiya) is reserved |
| periods also when modern science had not taken | | | | for "Brahmacharini". She is considered as a storehouse |
| roots. The rishis and sages of yesteryears also | | | | of knowledge and wisdom. She was created by |
| visualized a system in which birth, growth and death | | | | "Brahma" for sustenance of the world for which |
| took place. They did not keep them confined to the | | | | knowledge was very important. She wears |
| earth only but thought about the creation of the whole | | | | "Rudraksha" and lives like a "Brahmacharini". |
| "Brahmand" (Universe). They connected all the events | | | | Chandraghanta: The third day (Tritiya) is the day for |
| with mythology. | | | | the worship of "Chandraghanta". She emits a cool |
| As per Hindu belief the process of creation, | | | | hallow like Moon and teaches the importance of good |
| sustenance and destruction are three different types | | | | behavior, soft and sweet speech and gentle manners. |
| of works and these works are the domains of | | | | She is the controller of anger and a protector from |
| Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh respectively. Together, | | | | evils. |
| these Gods are known as "Trimurti" (Trinity). However, | | | | Kushmanda: The fourth day (Chaturthi) is the day for |
| the processes of creation, sustenance and destruction | | | | worship of the devi in "pindi form". This form has |
| also require energy. These energy components are | | | | produced the name "Kushmanda". The goddess |
| available in the form of divine feminine power which is | | | | possesses 8 arms and mounts on a tiger. She has the |
| referred to as "Shakti" or "Aadi Shakti" represented by | | | | power to save her devotees from trouble. |
| Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kaali. | | | | Skandmata: The fifth day (Panchmi) is the day of |
| These three feminine energy sources are associated | | | | "Skandmata". Skand is the name of "Sanat Kumar" |
| with Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh respectively. Thus | | | | who was looked after by the mother. She has the |
| the whole process of creation, sustenance and | | | | unique power to transform even the ignorant into |
| destruction is driven by the three feminine powers | | | | knowledgeable. She blessed "Kalidas" for creating two |
| symbolized by three goddesses. | | | | epics "Raghuvansha" and "Meghadoot". |
| "Shardiya Navratra" (The nine nights of autumn) is | | | | Katyayini: The sixth day (Shasthi) is the day of |
| significant for the worship of Maha Saraswati, Maha | | | | worshiping mother "Katyayini" she spent her time in |
| Lakshmi and Maha Kaali. The first three days are | | | | penance in the ashram of "Katyayan Rishi". She |
| reserved for worship of Durga or Kaali. The next | | | | experimented with different techniques and therefore |
| three days are the days of Maha Lakshmi and the last | | | | her name is remembered for research. She drives her |
| three days are the days for worshiping Maha | | | | devotees towards acquiring more knowledge. |
| Saraswati. | | | | Kalratri: The seventh day (Saptami) is the day for |
| The Navratra begins from the first day (Pratipada) of | | | | worshiping the seventh form of Durga- "Kalratri". She is |
| "Ashwin" (Shukla Paksha) month (conforming to | | | | the destroyer of darkness and brings light to the world. |
| September / October) and continues up to the ninth | | | | She protects from enemies and makes her devotees |
| day (Navami). It is said that the first puja of this type | | | | free from fear. |
| was done by Lord Rama when he was preparing for | | | | Mahagauri: The eighth day (ashtami) is reserved for |
| a battle with Ravana. The Devi blessed him for victory | | | | the 8th form of Durga. "Mahagauri" is the name of |
| and Ravana was killed. The tenth day of "Ashwin" is | | | | Parvati and her "Siddh peeth" is at "Kankhal" near |
| celebrated as "Dusshera" (Vijaya Dashmi) in memory | | | | Haridwar which is close to Himalaya. She is the mother |
| of victory of Rama and annihilation of Ravana. | | | | of Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikeya. |
| Therefore, the total celebration extends for ten days | | | | Siddhidatri: The ninth day (Navami) is reserved for the |
| from pratipada to dashmi. | | | | worship of the ninth form of Durga - "Siddhidatri". She |
| This festival very important in eastern India particularly | | | | is capable of awarding every boon and is the ultimate |
| in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Orissa and | | | | power in this respect. |
| Uttar Pradesh. The festival is also celebrated in Nepal, | | | | On the tenth day, the life size idols of goddess Durga |
| and other states of north India. In western India this is | | | | are immersed in water. This also remains the |
| celebrated with a heavy dose of Garba and Dandiya | | | | Dusshera day when the effigies of Ravana, |
| dances. The entire cultural character of these areas | | | | Kumbhakarn and Meghnath are burnt. In the year 2009, |
| gets transformed completely during Navratra | | | | the first day of the "Shardiya Navratra" falls on 19th |
| Celebrations. It is a festival of wearing new clothes, | | | | September 2009. The Dusshera is on 28th September |
| eating, dancing and going to pandals. | | | | 2009. |
| The nine days of the Navratra have been divided | | | | |