Every Indian festival has a reason and significance behind its
celebration. It is not only celebrated for fun and enjoyment. But there
is a proper meaning behind its celebration. Similarly with the festival
of Navaratri there is a significance and meaning attached to it. The
festival celebrates the worship of Three Goddess, Durga (the god of
power and strength), Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Saraswati (the
Goddess of knowledge and learning). The festival leads to spiritual
growth of a person. It gives the person inner strength to fight against
all odds of life. The courage to fight for the weaker section of the
society and against all evils of the society. So the first three days is
dedicated to the worship of Goddess Shakti. The next most important
requirement in life is wealth and prosperity and for that the next three
days of the festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of
wealth and prosperity). Knowledge and learning is another important
aspect of life. And for that the last three days of the festival is
dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. She is worshipped so that she blesses us
with power of knowledge and helps us to attain spiritual enlightenment.
The nine nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwin
of the bright fortnight. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day
of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are
immersed in the river. Dussehra, is considered as an important festival.
Though the festival celebrates the worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati
but all three Goddess are the incarnations of Goddess Shakti (the Mother
Goddess). The festival signifies power, wealth, prosperity and
knowledge.
