NAVRATRI – SCIENTIFIC BENEFITS, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND AYURVEDIC VIEWS

India is a festival- and celebration-centered nation. Its historical and cultural heritage is quite rich. Every holiday celebrated in India has a specific meaning, purpose, and importance. The elements of festivals that create a joyful atmosphere include fun and enjoyment. One of the most popular Hindu holidays is the ‘Navratri’ celebration. “Nav” stands for “nine,” while “ratri” stands for “night.” Therefore, “Navratri” truly refers to “nine nine (auspicious) nights.” ‘Navratri’ is occasionally referred to as ‘Navratra’. Different regions throughout India observe Navratri in different ways. It is a time of religious introspection and fasting for many individuals, while it is also a time for dance and feasting for others. A strict vegetarian diet, avoiding alcohol, and avoiding particular spices are some practices associated with fasting. Particularly in Gujarat, Garba – dance is done. In this article, we will go through the introduction to Navratri, different concepts of Navraatris, the Nine forms of Goddess Durga that are worshiped, the food items that are to be consumed and avoided during fasting, the benefits of Navratris and its religious, ancient, Ayurvedic and scientific significance of navratri.

The yearly Hindu festival of Navaratri is celebrated in honor of the goddess Durga, a manifestation of the ultimate goddess Adi Parashakti. It occurs twice, once in the months of Ashvin (September to October) and once in the month of Chaitra (March to April on the Gregorian calendar), and lasts for nine nights (and 10 days). In various areas of the Hindu Indian cultural realm, it is recognized for diverse causes and observed and celebrated in varied ways. The nine nights of the festival are usually devoted to different aspects of Shakti, the divine feminine power. Generally, the festival’s first third emphasises features of the goddess Durga, the second third emphasizes aspects of the goddess Lakshmi, and the third and final third emphasizes aspects of the goddess Sarasvati. However, the pattern varies slightly by location. Rituals are carried out in their honor, and offerings are frequently presented to the goddesses and their numerous incarnations. On the eighth or ninth day, a popular ritual called Kanya Puja is performed. during this rite, nine young girls get dressed as the nine goddesses honored during Navratri. They are worshipped with ritual foot washing and given gifts of food and clothes in addition to being admired. There are four seasonal Navaratri, according to theory. In reality, it is Sharada Navaratri, that takes place after the monsoon season.

Sharada Navratri – The fourth Navaratri, titled the autumnal Sharada, is the one that is most widely observed and celebrated all over India. The Ashvini lunar month’s bright fortnight begins on the first day (pratipada) of the event. This month, that usually falls in September and October i.e. the Gregorian months, the festival is observed for nine nights once per year. The lunisolar calendar of the Hindus is used to identify the precise dates of the festival; however, due to modifications for the sun, moon, and leap year, the celebration may occasionally last for one day longer or one day shorter than stated. The event usually takes place following the harvest of the autumn, but it can also happen during harvest in some areas. The celebrations go beyond honoring Devi Durga and numerous other deities like Maa Saraswati and Maa Lakshmi. Regionally adored deities include Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Shiva, and Devi Parvati. For instance, worshipping Devi Saraswati that is the Hindu goddess of music, education, learning, and the arts, via Ayudha Puja is a noteworthy pan-Hindu custom observed during Navaratri. This day i.e. the ninth day of Navratri, Peace and wisdom are honored. Warriors pray to Saraswati while praising, decorating, and worshipping their weapons. Instruments are maintained, played, and prayed for by musicians. All kinds of craftsmen, including the smiths, the farmers, the carpenters, the potters, the shop owners, and others, similarly worship their tools, machinery, and equipment. Students go to their teachers to thank them and ask for their blessings. South India is where this custom is particularly prominent, but it is also followed elsewhere.

The second-most popular Navaratri is Chaitra Navaratri which is also known as Vasantha Navaratri and named after the springtime god Vasanta is celebrated in the Chaitra lunar month i.e. from March to April. The event is held in honor of the goddess Durga, who is worshipped daily in one of her nine incarnations. Lord Rama’s birthday, The Rama Navami, falls on the last day. Some people also refer to it as Rama Navaratri because of this. The event takes place in several locations after the spring harvest, while in others it occurs during harvest. According to the Vikram Samvat calendar, it also denotes the beginning of the lunisolar calendar of the Hindus and is often termed the Lunar New Year of the Hindus.

Magha Navaratri is celebrated in the lunar month of Magha i.e. from January to February and is also termed as secret or the Gupt Navratri. This festival’s fifth day is marked separately as Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami i.e. the Hindu calendar’s first day of spring during which the goddess Saraswati is honored via the arts, including writing, singing, and flying kites. Kama – The Hindu deity of love is also worshipped in various areas.

When the monsoon season begins in the lunar month of Ashadha i.e. from June to July, Ashada Navaratri, also known as Gupt Navaratri, is celebrated and it is often celebrated regionally or individually.

The festival is celebrated in memory of the victory of nobility over evil i.e. the victory of Maa Durga over Mahishasura. The Navadurga, Durga’s nine incarnations, are mainly focused on these nine days. Every day has a distinct goddess manifestation linked with it

• First Day – Shailaputri

  Pratipada, often called the first day, is linked to Devi Parvati’s incarnation of Devi Shailaputri, also known as “Daughter of the Mountain.” Devi Durga is honored as Himavan’s (the Himalayan Guardian God) daughter in this form. Devi Shailaputri’s right hand has a trishula and their left has a lotus flower, she rides the bull, Nandi. Devi Mahakali is seen as having a direct incarnation in Devi Shailaputri. Activity and vitality are represented by the yellow color which is the color of the day. She is also called Hemavati – a reincarnation of Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva who took the form of Parvati later on.

• Second Day – Brahmacharini

  Devi Brahmacharini, a distinct form of Devi Parvati, is prayed to on Dwitiya i.e. the second day of Navratri. Yogini, Parvati’s unmarried self, took on this shape. Brahmacharini is prayed for moksha and wealth. Joy and peace are represented by Devi as she is seen strolling barefoot and holding a Japa mala i.e. rosary and a kamandala i.e. pot. The second day’s color scheme is green. Sometimes, the orange color, which represents serenity, is employed to create a powerful energy flow across the entire space.

• Third-Day – Chandraghanta

  The third day of Navratri also known as Tritiya, honors the Devi Chandraghanta; the term comes from the occurrence that states that the Devi Parvati wore an ardhachandra—a half-moon—on her forehead after she wed Lord Shiva. She is both the epitome of magnificence and also a representation of fearlessness. The color of the third day is grey, which is energetic and may lift anyone’s spirits.

• Fourth Day – Kushmanda

  On the fourth day, also known as Chaturthi, devotion is given to the Devi Kushmanda. This day’s color is orange because Kushmanda is thought to represent the creative force of the universe and is linked to the creation of life on planet Earth. She has eight arms and was observed riding a tiger.

• Fifth Day – Skandamata

  On the fifth day of Navratri i.e. the Panchami goddess Skandamata is revered and she is also referred to as Skanda (or Kartikeya)’s mother. The color white represents how a mother’s strength may change when her kid is in danger. She is seen carrying a baby in her four arms and riding a vicious lion.

• Sixth Day – Katyayani

  Born in the house of sage Katyayna, Devi Katyayani is a form of Devi Mahalakshmi, Devi Parvati, Devi Mahasarasvati, and Devi Durga – depicted as displaying the bold character that the color red represents. Being Devi’s most aggressive form she is known as the warrior goddess. Devi Katyayani is known to have four hands and rides a lion. On the sixth day of Navratri, she is worshipped. Maha Shashti and the start of the shardiya Durga Puja are observed in Eastern parts of India on this day.

• Seventh Day – Kaalaratri

  Devi Kaalaratri is prayed to on Saptami, and is known as the most fierce form of Devi Durga. It is believed that Devi Parvati shed her fair skin to destroy the devils Nisumbha and Sumbha. Royal blue is the day’s color. The Devi is known to have flaming eyes and wears blood-red colored clothing or the skin of a tiger. The worshippers are assured that the Goddess will keep them safe by using the color red, which symbolizes prayers. On the seventh day or Saptami, she is honored. On this day, Maha Saptami and Bodhon of Shardiya Durga Puja are observed in eastern India.

• Eight Day – Mahagauri

  Mahagauri is a portrayal of intellect and balance and on Ashtami, the eighth day, is the day she is honored. It is said that Kaalaratri’s complexion warmed up after taking a dip in the Ganga river. The color Pink denotes hopefulness and is the hue associated with the eighth day of Navratri. On this day, Maha Astami is observed in eastern parts of India, starting with pushpanjali and the kumari puja, etc. It is a highly significant day and is observed as Mahishasuramardini Rupa of Chandi’s birthday.

• Ninth Day – Siddhidatri

  People worship Siddhidhatri on the festival’s last day which is also known as Navami – the ninth day. Seated atop a lotus, she is considered to have all Siddhis and to impart them. Purple is the color of the day. Siddhidhatri is considered the Ardhanarishvara form of Shiva and Shakti. One side of Lord Shiva’s body is thought to be that of Goddess Siddhidatri and that is why he is also known as Ardhanarishwara. According to Vedic scriptures, Lord Shiva attained all siddhis via worshipping this Goddess.

In India, Navaratri is observed in a variety of ways. various parts of Durga are revered by various people, and some people fast while others feast. Ram Navami marks the end of the Chaitra Navaratri, whereas Durga Puja and Vijayadashami mark the end of the Sharada Navaratri.

The nine-day celebration of Navratri in Ayurveda signifies the shifting of the seasons. According to Ayurveda, the mind, body, and soul are all interdependent. People balance their doshas, cleanse their bodies, and calm their thoughts during Navratri. During Sharad Ritu Sandhi Kal, the body shifts from aggravated pitta dosha to aggravating vata dosha by adjusting to cold and dry weather changes. Apart from that, the agni of the body also goes into the transition from Madhya to Uttam i.e. from moderate to the best and there are only two ways to achieve this without falling sick – fasting and a balanced diet.The following guidelines are laid down as per Ayurveda for detoxifying ourselves physically and mentally

• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and coconut water.
• Avoid tamsik aahar, which attracts bad energy, such as alcohol, garlic, and onions.
• Consuming fewer calories during Navratri enhances the digestive process and strengthens the immune system.
• Devotion helps purify emotion.
• Increase your intake of sattvic foods, such as milk, fruits, low-fat ghee, and dried fruits.
• While ending the fast, one should focus on quality and not quantity as if one consumes the food in large quantities which is often observed, then that individual can have negative effects of fasting later on and the whole process of detoxification can also get ruined.

The diet followed during Navratri helps us in many ways that we cannot even think about and the benefits that can be observed are listed below

• Proper rest for the digestive system – Just like our bodies need a break from working our digestive system as well. Navratri is the period that helps us to give that much-needed break to our digestive systems and helps to promote gut healing and repairing along with regeneration of the gastrointestinal lining.
• The activation of autophagy – Fasting helps the body undergo autophagy i.e. removal of dead cells in the body and its components as well which in turn helps in restoring and improving the overall health of the digestive system.
• Management of body weight – Minusig the fat and regulating the metabolism of the body, fasting can help with managing body weight.
• Mental clarity with Navratri – Avoiding heavy, and processed food items helps to get rid of negative energies from the body and helps to clarify the thought process.
• Improved process of detoxification – Fasting can help get rid of toxins or “ama” in the body and protects the body against multiple health issues.
• Balancing of the doshas – Navratri utilizing a sattvic diet and proper prayers can help in maintaining equilibrium in doshas.
• Maintaining a healthy digestive fire – Many of us frequently eat before we feel hungry. The body’s preparedness for digesting is indicated by hunger. Fasting during Navratri highlights the significance of this signal and aids in reviving the digestive fire, lowering stress levels, and boosting the immune system.
• Decreasing stress and boosting immunity – As the digestive fire gets better, the mind and immunity also get better and stronger.
• Getting rid of inflammation – The sattvic diet followed during Navratri helps to push out toxins from the body and reduce inflammation as well which in turn helps to manage multiple health issues that have inflammation as their main cause.
• Spiritual growth – Fasting and Prayers can help with self-realization and spiritual growth. It also helps to develop strong self-control and improves the levels of consciousness.

Our religious celebrations and ceremonies are unparalleled in one manner or another. They are grounded in logic, and their origins may also be traced to certain scientific fields. The fundamental aspect of Hindu holidays is that they are all connected to astronomical phenomena or seasonal changes in some way and as same is the case with the Navratri festival. Everybody is aware that Hindus celebrate two Navratri celebrations each year all over the world. However, the Hindu calendar has four Navratris every year referred to as Gupt or hidden Navratri. The Equinoxes and Solstices, two astronomical phenomena, are connected to each of the four Navratris. Two times a year, on March 21 and September 22, the days and nights are equal in length. Vasant and Sharada Navratri are observed during this time.

Additionally, on June 21 (the longest day) and December 22 (the longest night), the Solstices occur twice a year when days and nights are longest. Vasant (Chaitra) Navratri is held on March 21—the Vernal Equinox—during March and April. Sharadiya Navratri is celebrated on September 22, the day of the Autumnal Equinox.

Equinoxes and solstices mark the time between the two seasons. Bacteria flourish at this time, and viral infections and illnesses are at their worst. The body requires time to adapt to climatic and environmental changes at the same time. Low immunity is mostly caused by excessive and improper eating habits, irregular sleeping patterns, and seasonal fluctuation therefore the Navratri festival is undoubtedly the ideal time to cleanse and refresh the body.

Fasting is crucial for maintaining the body’s proper balance and is a fundamental component of the Navratri festivities. It is a proven scientific method for eliminating toxins from the body and mind. Fast food and non-vegetarian foods dominate our present diets, which is a major contributor to hypertension and cardiovascular issues. Nine days of abstinence from particular meals will help our bodies cleanse. For these nine days, even if you are unable to fast, try to stay away from heavy meals like meat, poultry, eggs, grains, spices, etc. Our digestive and immune systems will be much better prepared for the next season if we eat fruits and foods that are simple to digest. By sticking to a light diet, we can get rid of gas, lighten our bodies, sharpen our minds, and maintain our overall well-being.

Navratri is celebrated twice a year at the beginning of the summer and the beginning of the winter. If we pay attention to the pattern, it is celebrated twice as the seasons change. Eating certain things might cause us to draw bad energy from our environment. Another explanation is that our body’s immunity is at an all-time low right now. Such high-energy meals might increase your risk of contracting illnesses. Following guidelines can be followed during fasting in Navratris

• Grains and Flours – Wheat and rice should be strictly avoided during the fast of Navratri. To prepare food, rajgire, singhara or kuttu ka atta can be used. Sabudana is one of the important food items that is consumed widely during the Navratris and it is often used to make papad, vadas, and khichdi.
• Herbs and Spices – One can consume herbs and spices during Navratri but rock salt shall be considered as a substitute for table salt.
• Fruits – One can eat any fruit for the nine days of Navratri. To keep the body hydrated throughout the fasting period, it is better to increase our consumption of fruit intake.
• Vegetables – Any type of vegetable can be consumed during the Navratri but one shall refrain from consuming onion and garlic.
• Milk Products – The majority of people drink milk and use dairy products including curd, paneer or cottage cheese, white butter, ghee, malai, and dishes made with milk and khoya.

There are other certain things like practising celibacy and avoiding the cutting of nails and hair that are also encouraged during this period. Food items that are unhealthy and fried with excess calories and oils shall also be avoided strictly as these can cause many serious health issues later