Day 1 Navaratri

May Goddess Durga illuminate our life with countless blessings. Happy Navratri to all those who are celebrating !

Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights and is celebrated every year in the autumn. The word Navaratri literally translates to nine nights in Sanskrit. Nava means nine and "ratri" means nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Goddess Durga / Shakti are worshiped. This festival is associated to the prominent battle that took place between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. It is also a commemoration of the victory of good over evil. These nine days are solely dedicated to Durga and her eight avatars – the Navadurga. Each day is associated to an incarnation of the goddess.

In South India, Golu marks the Navratri festivities. Golu refers to the display of the idols of gods and goddesses, dolls and figurines of human beings during Navaratri. As per the tradition, the dolls and figurines are placed on steps stand. During this festival, Children are imparted cultural knowledge and are shown the importance of family and society through the dolls.

Today is day 1 of Navaratri. The avatar of the goddess is Shailaputri which means "daughter of the mountains". She is the daughter of Hemavana, the king of the Himalayas. She is portrayed as riding the bull, with a trishula in her right hand and lotus in her left. She is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali.