Navratri is one of the religious festivals in India, celebrated with immense enthusiasm across the country. There are many popular legends associated with the history of Navratri. The name of these legends are Maa Durga (Goddess Durga), Lord Ram and Uma, the daughter of King Daksha. There are various mythological stories behind the celebration of Navratri festival and these stories revolve around these three God and Goddess. Read below to know more information on history of Navratri.
Being a grand religious festival, this festival involves the great legends and great stories which one need to aware. We are enlightening the great stories behind the celebration of Navratri festival.
It is said that when Lord Shiva empowered the demon, Mahishasura, with powers of eternity, he set off to conquer all the lokas. To stop him, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva combined their divine powers to create Goddess Durga (Maa Shakti) who fought rigorously with Mahishasura (buffalo faced demon) for nine days, beheading him on the tenth. These nine nights of the battle between the two are celebrated as Navratri and the tenth day of the victory is called Vijaya Dasami (Dussehra). This festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.
According to Hindu epic Ramayana, another legend of Navratri is Lord Ram “the king of Ayodhya”. Demon king Ravana had abducted lord Ram’s wife Sita so Ram wanted to release his wife from the clutches of that demon. To get the blessings of Goddess Durga (Goddess Shakti) before beginning the war with Ravana, he worshipped nine aspects of Goddess Durga for nine days to collect the strength and power. The battle continued for nine nights and these nine nights are known as “Navratri” and on the tenth day Lord Rama killed Ravana, came to be known as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera.
Another legend goes that when Uma, daughter of King Daksha of Himalayas, wedded Lord Shiva against the will of her father, King Daksha conducted a yagna where he insulted Lord Shiva. Unable to bear this, Uma jumped into the agnikund, this is why she is also known as Sati. In her rebirth, she married Lord Shiva and peace was restored between her and parents. It is said that every year Sati comes to stay with her parents for 9 nights and this time is celebrated as Navratri.
These are the few stories which tell more about legends and Navratri history. On this day Lord Rama killed Ravana and Goddess Durga killed demon Mahishasura so these days are also for giving up all the bad habits and deeds.
JAI MATA DI
