(RNS) — Monday (Sept. 22) marks the start of Navaratri, a vibrant, nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the Divine Feminine in all her forms. Hindus will dedicate rituals to the goddess Durga — the “Mother Goddess” who embodies the feminine energy known as Shakti — in recognition of her victorious nine-day battle against the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.
In Hindu tradition laid out in the Devi Mahatmya, a third-century sacred text, each night is dedicated to the form of Durga that appeared as the battle raged, as her powers shifted from day to day in ways that helped Durga eventually defeat the demon. Night one’s Shailputri represents Durga’s courage and focus to begin the battle, whereas night seven’s Kalaratri is considered Durga’s most dark, fearsome warrior form.
Some Hindus celebrate all nine of Durga’s manifestations, while others divide the holiday into three parts, dedicated to the triad of goddess Durga, goddess Lakshmi and goddess Saraswati — representing power, prosperity and wisdom, respectively.
In all its iterations, Navaratri is seen as a time for men and women alike to recognize the role feminine power has played in their lives — the loving and compassionate caregiver, the steadfast and devoted supporter and the powerful and fierce protector.
And just as with most Hindu holidays, celebrations of Navaratri (which means simply “nine nights” in Sanskrit) will differ widely across Indian regions.
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