Navratri is a religious festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. This festival is celebrated with pomp and excitement as cultural programs. Dance and fairs are organized at various public places in India.

Navratri Puja

Navratri is warmly welcome in West Bengal since this festival is a part of Bengali culture. Navratri in West Bengal is known as Durga Puja. You can see the Pandals and Durga Idols on the streets of Kolkata during Navratri or Durga Puja Festival. Know more about Durga Puja Celebration in Bengal.

The festival has its unique importance since we offer prayer to unmarried young girls in the form of the goddess. This festival is also known for its spiritual importance. Let us know a little more detail about Navratri.

Spiritual Meaning of Navratri

'Navratri' means 'nine nights.' 'Nava' means 'nine,’ and 'Ratri' means 'night.' The prayer, chanting, and meditation performed during Navratri connect us with our spirit. Getting in touch with the spirit invokes positive qualities within us and destroys laziness, pride, obsession, cravings, and aversions. When stress in the form of negative emotions is destroyed, we experience the deep rest of the transforming nine nights.

Navratri Preparation

As the Navratri festival gets closer, people start preparing for this holy festival. Markets are decorated with goddess Durga idols, Chunri, goddess Durga prayer books, photos and banners and other puja materials.

The home is well cleaned. The temple on the home is refurbished and decorated with LED light and a bulb. The idols of goddess Durga are placed in the centre. And Kalas Sthapna is done by the main priest in every home.

The special prayer is organized from the day first of Navratri morning and continued in the evening and morning till the 9th day. During these days the family member keeps fasting, praying and meditating to do jap of mantra from Durga Saptashati.

Navratri Celebration

Navratri is a major festival in the western states of India: Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka during which the traditional dance of Gujarat called "Garba" is widely performed.

Navratri is celebrated with great zeal in North India as well including Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and the northern state of Punjab.

Navratri Mantra

A mantra can be a syllable or a group of words that has spiritual power. In Hindu religious Mantras practice denote vibration which has the power to align the chakras in the human body. These mantras help the human mind to evolve into a higher level of consciousness.

Navratri Mantra includes those included in the text 'Durga Saptashati'. Navratri's mantra is associated with the principle of purification. However, the quantum of effects depends on the level of sincerity with which the mantra is recited. During Navratri, devotees repeat the universal Navratri mantra for the invocation of Maa Durga, which is-

 'Aim hreem kleem chamundaye vichche'

Each mantra follows a pattern of rhythm, as in the number of syllables to create a certain effect. Hence the powerful Navratri mantra has to be recited with the right intonation and with full reverence.

Navratri Colours

Each year, we get a different set of colours to be followed for each day in Navratri. In Maharashtra and Gujarat girls and ladies and even some enthusiast men follow the colours by wearing a Saree or dress of the colour of the day. This is followed from the first day to the Ninth Day of Navratri.

Since each day is dedicated to one particular form of Goddess Durga, each day has significance in terms of colour also. Devotees not only wear those coloured dresses for that day but also decorate the idol of the Goddess in that particular colour. The devotees offer a particular coloured Saree to the Goddess each day. Each colour has a significance of its own and represents different forms of the Goddess. Checkout:- Nine Colours of Navratri.

Nine Days of Navratri

Navratri is celebrated for nine days. Each day is devoted to one form of Goddess Durga.

1. 1st Day of Navratri- Shailaputri
2. 2nd Day of Navratri- Brahmacharini
3. 3rd Day of Navratri- Chandraghanta
4. 4th Day of Navratri- Kushmanda
5. 5th Day of Navratri- Skandamata
6. 6th Day of Navratri- Katyayani
7. 7th Day of Navratri- Kalaratri
8. 8th Day of Navratri- Mahagauri
9. 9th Day of Navratri- Siddhidatri

On the Ashtami and Navami Tithi of Navratri, Kanya Puja is performed in homes and temples. After Navratri, Kanya Puja is considered to be of special importance. There is a provision to worship Maa Mahagauri and Siddhidatri on the Ashtami and Navami dates of Navratri. On these dates, girls are invited to their homes and food is given to them, other things are donated.

 Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the Sun festivals of India celebrated by the Hindu community. This festival is dedicated to the Sun God. The festival Makara Sankranti is a solar event making it one of the few Hindu festivals which fall on the same date in local calendars every year: 14 January, with some exceptions when the festival is celebrated on 15 January. The festival is one of bonding where every member of society is asked to bury the hatchet with enemies and foes and live in peace.

Sankranti Meaning

The last day of every month is known as Sankranti which signifies the movement or passing away of one month & the start of another.

Makar Sankranti Belief

Besides the usual harvest celebration, this day has other significance too and is a worship of the Sun-god that sustains life on earth. 

As per the ancient traditions, on Makara Sankranti, the Sun starts on its Northward journey which is known as Uttarayan. It is also believed that if you die during Makar Sankranti, you are not reborn but go directly to heaven.

Makar Sankranti is believed to be a time for peace and prosperity. The day is regarded as important for spiritual practices and accordingly, people take a holy dip in rivers, especially Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. Bathing is believed to wash away sins.

Makar Sankranti Food

Makar Sankranti is the festival of Til-Gul where sesame and Jaggery Laddoos or Chikkis are distributed among all. The common feature everywhere is sweets made of jaggery.

Kumbh Mela

On this occasion, a special celebration is seen on riverbanks in different parts of India, especially in Prayagraj, Ujjain, Haridwar, and Nasik. People used to take bath early in the morning and pray to god Sun. Kumbh Fair starts with this festival and continues for 30-35 days. Checkout:- List of Mela in India

In South India, in Kerala, one of the most austere and difficult pilgrimages of Shabrimala ends on this auspicious day.

Other parts of the country too, celebrate by taking a dip in the holy rivers flowing through states to cleanse themselves of sins.

Different Names of Makar Sankranti

This festival is celebrated by different names in different states. In North India, it is known as Maker Sankranti. In North India, it is celebrated as Lohri. Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi are some other names for the same festival. In South India, the festival is known as Pongal. While in the South special meals are prepared to celebrate.

Makar Sankranti Celebration

Makar or Makara Sankranti is celebrated in many parts of South Asia with some regional variations. It is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the region.

Though extremely popular as Makar Sankranti, the festival is predominantly a harvest festival and is celebrated throughout India, from north to south and east to west.

Makar Sankranti is most popular in West India. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated by flying kites

Uttarayan

Suvechha for Makara Sankranti, as the Sun starts its northbound journey known as Uttarayan.

As per our texts, it is believed that one human year is equivalent to one day and one night of the gods. The Uttarayan part of the year (6months) is one day, and the dakshiyan journey of the sun for 6 months is one night for the gods. Like humans lock their doors before retiring for the night, the gods do the same with their doors at the start of dakshiyan, and the doors remain locked for the next 6 months.

Today on the last day of poush, at dawn or Brahma muhurta the night of the gods has ended and the doors have opened again with the start of Uttarayan.

It is also the day that pitamah Bhishma chose to die after lying on his bed of arrows for 56 days.

It’s a celebration of many things across India and for us Bengalis, it’s a time to make sweets like pathisapta, pithe, puli, etc.

Significance of Makar Sankranti

After spending 58 days on the bed of arrows, Bhishma Pitamah had given up his life on Makar Sankranti, the wish was a boon of death.

Bhishma Pitamah fought continuously for 10 days in the war of Mahabharata which lasted for 18 days.

Significance of Makar Sankranti

1. Bhishma Pitamah had the boon of death, so he himself sacrificed his life on the day of Surya Uttarayan i.e. Makar Sankranti.

2. At the time when the Mahabharata war started, it is said that at that time the age of Arjuna was 55 years, the age of Lord Krishna was 83 years and the age of Bhishma Pitamah was about 150 years.

3. Bhishma Pitamah was given the boon of euthanasia by his father King Shantanu himself because Bhishma Pitamah had taken a vow of unbroken brahmacharya to fulfill his father's wish.

4. It is said that King Shantanu, father of Bhishma Pitamah, wanted to marry a girl whose name was Satyavati. But Satyavati's father made a condition of marrying his daughter to King Shantanu only if he would declare the child born from Satyavati's womb as the heir to his kingdom.

5. King Shantanu could not accept this because he had already declared Bhishma Pitamah as his successor.

6. After rejecting the words of Satyavati's father, King Shantanu started living in the separation of Satyavati. When Bhishma Pitamah came to know about his father's concern, he immediately took a vow to remain unmarried for life.

7. Bhishma Pitamah asked Satyavati's father to give her hand to King Shantanu and told her to remain unmarried for the rest of her life so that none of her children could claim their right over the kingdom.

8. After this Bhishma Pitamah handed over Satyavati to his father, King Shantanu. King Shantanu was pleased with his son's paternal devotion and granted him the boon of euthanasia.

9. According to religious beliefs, it is said that Bhishma Pitamah, after staying on the bed of arrows for 58 days on the day of Surya Uttarayan i.e. Makar Sankranti, got his wish death as a boon.

10. On attaining death on the day of Surya Uttarayan, a person who attains salvation and worships God has special significance on this day.

Ganga bath has special significance on this day, Bhishma Pitamah was also the son of Ganga.

 Brief Introduction to the Eighteen Puranas

Friends, these days we'll attempt to perceive in short some aspects of all the eighteen Puranas, the word Sanskrit literature itself means that ancient story, Puranas area unit the foremost ancient texts of world literature, the items of data and morality written in them area unit still relevant, valuable and that they area unit the cornerstone of human civilization, the language, and magnificence of the Vedas area unit tough, the Puranas area unit straightforward and fascinating versions of a similar data.

Eighteen Puranas

In them, complicated facts are explained through stories, the topic of Puranas area unit morality, thought, geography, astronomy, politics, culture, social traditions, science, and plenty of different subjects, the special reality is that in Puranas, gods and goddesses, Legends of kings and sages further because the commoner is mentioned, from that all aspects of the Puranic amount area unit delineated.

Maharishi Vedavyasji has compiled eighteen Puranas in Sanskritic language, Brahmadev, Shri Hari Hindu deity Bhagwan and Lord Maheshwar area unit the most deities of these Puranas, six Puranas are dedicated to every God style of the trio, additionally to those eighteen Puranas, sixteen sub- There are Puranas, however, to stay the topic restricted, I'm solely giving a quick introduction of the most Puranas.

Brahma Puran 

The Brahmapuran is the oldest of all, this Sanskrit literature has 2 hundred and 46 chapters and fourteen thousand verses, additionally to the greatness of Brahma, the origin of the universe, the descent of the Ganges, and also the stories of Ramayana and Krishnavatar are compiled from this book. From this to the Indus depression Civilization, some info may be obtained.

The second is that the Padma Sanskrit literature, which contains lv thousand verses and this book is split into 5 sections, whose names area unit Srishtikhand, Swargakhand, Uttarakhand, Bhumikhand, and Patalkhand, during this book, the Earth, the sky, and also the origin of the constellations area unit mentioned intimately. it's been done, there are unit four styles of living beings, that are unbroken within the class of Udibhaja, Svedaj, Andaj, and Jarayuj, this classification is totally on a scientific basis.

All the mountains and rivers of India are delineated intimately, during this Sanskrit literature there's a history of the many ancestors from Shakuntala Dushyant to Lord avatar, the name of our country from Jambudip to Asian country, and which of Shakuntala Dushyant's son Bharat. once India came, this Padma Sanskrit literature ought to be browsed by all people brothers and sisters, as a result this Sanskrit literature, offers a close description of our geographical and non secular atmosphere.

Vishnu Puran 

The third Sanskrit literature is Vishnupuran, which has six elements and twenty 3 thousand verses, during this book the stories of Lord Hindu deity, kid Dhruvaji, and Krishnavatar area unit compiled, additionally to the current story of Emperor Prithuji is additionally enclosed, because of that, the name of our earth is Prithvi. In this Sanskrit literature, there's an entire history of the Sun kinfolk and Chandravanshi kings.

Uttaram Yasamudrasya Himadreschaiva Dakshinam.

Varsam shade bharatam naam bharti yatra santatih..

The national identity of India is centuries previous, the proof of that is found during this verse of Hindu deity Sanskrit literature, in straightforward words, it means the geographical region that is encircled by the range within the north and also the ocean within the south, this can be the country of {india|India|Republic of India|Bharat|Asian country|Asian nation} and every one people residing in it area unit youngsters of the country of India, what may be a transparent identification of the country of {india|India|Republic of India|Bharat|Asian country|Asian nation} and also the individuals of India from this? Hindu deity Sanskrit literature is really a historical text.

Shiva Purana 

The fourth Sanskrit literature is ShivaPurana, which is additionally reverentially known as Shiva Mahapuran, there are unit twenty-four thousand verses during this Mahapuran, and it's divided into seven Samhitas, during this book the greatness of Lord Shiva and also the events associated with him area unit delineated, this book is named Hindu deity Sanskrit literature conjointly says, during this the outline and importance of Kailas mountain, Shivling and Rudraksha are shown intimately.

The composition of the names of the seven days of the week, the outline of Prajapatis, and also the ending overwork are delineated intimately, the names of the times of the week area unit supported the planets of our system, and area unit still utilized in the majority the planet these days. it's notable that the devotees of Lord Shiva ought to recite Shiva Mahapuran often with reverence and devotion.

Fifth is the Bhagavata Sanskrit literature, which has eighteen thousand verses, and twelve skandhas, this book talks concerning nonsecular subjects, the Bhagavata Sanskrit literature depicts the greatness of devotion, data, and emotionlessness, the stories of the incarnations of Lord Hindu deity and Lord Govind. excluding this, the stories of the many kings, sages, and asuras before the religious writing amount are compiled.

In this book, once the religious writing war, the death of Shri Krishna, the sinking of the town of Duraika {and the|and therefore the|and conjointly the} destruction of the Yadav clans have also been given.

Narad Purana

NaradPurana is the sixth Sanskrit literature that is adorned with twenty 5 thousand verses, and it conjointly has 2 elements, in each the elements the essence of all the eighteen Puranas has been given, within the 1st half there area unit mantras and once death the sequence and legislation, of the descent of the Ganges. The story has conjointly been told intimately, within the second half, the data of the seven notes of music, the center, middle and chord places of the octave, murchanas, pure and koota tano and swarmandal is written.

This knowledge of musical technique continues to be the premise of Indian music, for people who area unit astounded by the dazzle of western music, the exceptional reality for them is that even once several centuries of Narada Sanskrit literature, there have been solely 5 notes in western music, and music development of the idea of zero

Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated on the eve of the Holi festival. Holika Dahan means the lightening of bonfires. The festival is celebrated at the night and is closely attached to the Holi festival. 

Holika Dahan is widely celebrated in north India therefore it is a north Indian festival.

Festivals in Varanasi

Because Banaras is a city of seven wars and a new festival, and when the matter is related to Kashi Vishwanath, then that happiness, euphoria, gaiety increases manifold.

• Dev Diwali
• Ganga Mahotsav
• Ganga Aarti
• Holi
• Shivratri
• Nag Nathaiya

Varanasi, the holy city of India, sits beside the River Ganga and is the perfect setting to celebrate Holi. The festival is attended by numerous Indians and foreigners who come here to get lost in the colorful fanfare.

Holi festival is deeply attached to Indian culture. There is a variety of Holi celebrations. Holi celebration in India depends on the local culture and traditions. There are popular places for Holi Celebration in their own way. Latthmar Holi, Varsana Ki Holi, Masan Ki Holi, are some of the popular holi celebration spots in India.

People play Holi before the Holi festival at Mahashamsan with ashes of cremated bodies. It is an ancient ritual. When lord shiva play Holi with his devotees at Mahashamshan

Dev Diwali in Varanasi

Dev Diwali is one of the famous festivals of Varanasi. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of Diwali by lighting hundreds of kerosene lamps around their homes. The river Ghats is decorated with lamps and people will float on the banks of the river.

It is definitely an artificial beauty, but with dusk, when all the ghats will be illuminated by the light of the lamp, at that time the beauty of the ghats will "work like four moons" or rather "gold on gold".

The famous deity here is of Deepawali lamps, which give beauty to the holy banks of Kashi and Maa Ganga. In the evening, when lamps are lit at all the ghats and the cooperation of all classes is received in Kashi, there is the participation of all Kashi residents. Then the view of these ghats becomes very picturesque.

Rangbhari Ekadashi in Varanasi

Rangbhari Ekadashi is one of the main festivals of Banaras, and if you want to see its splendor, elegance, chic, and then you must visit Kashi Vishwanath once on this day!

Holi celebrations begin with a colorful Ekadashi in Kashi, the beloved city of Lord Shiva. Some communities of Hindus started celebrating Holi from Rangbhari Ekadashi. Rangavari is the lineage of Lord Brahma, who can wash away human sins from the soul.

As per the legend, after killing King Ravana, Lord Rama worshiped Rangvari to wash away his sins.

Holi Celebration in Varanasi(Masan Ki Holi)

Only in Banaras in the world play Holi of pyre ash, from the ghat to the streets, the color of the hustle and bustle is unique.

Masan Ki Holi

The talk of Holi of Kashi, the city of Shiva, is unique. The Holi of Kashi, the city of Mahadev, is similar to that of Shiva. The Holi of Banaras is also obstinate according to the mood of Banaras. The only city in the world where apart from Abir, Gulal, there is a Holi of pyre in the blazing pyres and is popularly known as "Masan Ki Holi". From the ghat to the streets, the hue and cry of Holi are unique.

Where will such a scene be seen that the ganas of Lord Shiva get satisfied by playing Holi with their hearts filled with ashes of pyre ashes. In the Holi of Kashi, both raga and disillusionment are seen.

Bhootbhavan himself comes to play Holi with his Ganas at Manikarnika, the Maha crematorium. He further says that Lakhi Sundar Faguni Chhata Ke, Mann Se Rang-Gulal Hat Ke Chita Bhasma Bhar Jhori. Digambar Khele Masane Mein Hori.

What makes the Varanasi celebrations even more special is the fact that everyone is friends with everyone else on this holy festival, and by the afternoon you can see all of them sitting by the ghats and eating Gujhiya (a traditional sweet prepared on Holi) together. Every year thousands of foreigners come down to this city to be active participants in this madness.

People drink what is known as Thandai, infused with marijuana, milk, and dry fruits. In Varanasi, you can in fact buy it from Vishwanath Thandai Ghar, where they even have bhang Ladoos.

The city of Varanasi is known for its age-old temples, and you might want to visit some of them on the auspicious occasion. Holi celebration in Varanasi is not totally complete if you do not visit one of these temples.

This is the holy Ganges. Holi is played on the hundreds of ghats by the Ganga every year and is quite a sight. There is no dearth of water and the festive spirit is in the air along with the colors.

Shivaratri Celebration in Varanasi

Kashi is the city of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Shivratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Thus the Kashi celebrate Shivratri is lots of joy and excitement. You can see a glimpse of the Marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati on this day. People gather across the bank of the Ganga river and celebrate this festival with ancient rituals. Baba Vishvanath Temple also decoraated on the day of Shivaratri festival.

The natural beauty that Kashi enjoys is not seen in any corner of the world. Tourism will get a boost if its marketing and display are done properly at the world level. With Kashi, the country, the state, and Kashi will become stronger economically as well as the glorious history of Kashi will reach the world level.

 Famous Food in Varanasi

Varanasi a famous city in the north India of Uttar Pradesh is known for its various importance. A religious city, a cultural city, and many more.

Since its geographical location is in the Purvanchal region in Uttar Pradesh in North India, the food culture is according to local accomplishment.