All about Navaratri

Navaratri is a special celebration in Hinduism that lasts for nine nights. During Navaratri, Hindus worship different forms of the goddess Durga, who symbolizes strength and power. Each night of Navaratri is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, and people celebrate with music, dance, and prayers.

The story behind Navaratri is about a powerful demon named Mahishasura who terrorized the world. The gods were unable to defeat him, so they combined their powers to create the goddess Durga. Durga fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights, finally defeating him on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Vijayadashami, marking the victory of good over evil.

During Navaratri, people decorate their homes with colorful decorations, light oil lamps, and create beautiful displays of dolls called 'Golu'. They also wear new clothes, eat special foods, and participate in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya.

Navaratri is a time for families and communities to come together, celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and seek the blessings of the goddess for strength and prosperity.

  1. Who is worshipped during Navaratri?
  2. What is the story behind Navaratri?
  3. How do people celebrate Navaratri?
  4. Why is Vijayadashami celebrated?
  5. Why is Navaratri an important festival for families and communities?

Symbols and Traditions

Navaratri is a special festival celebrated by Hindus to honor the goddess Durga. It lasts for nine nights and ten days. Each night represents a different form of the goddess, and people pray and make offerings to her.

During Navaratri, people often wear colorful clothes and decorate their homes with flowers and lights. They also create beautiful displays called "golu" with dolls and figurines to show the different stages of life and stories from Hindu mythology.

One important symbol of Navaratri is the "dandiya," a traditional dance where people use wooden sticks to create rhythmic patterns. Another popular dance during this festival is called "garba," where people dance in circles to traditional music.

People also fast during Navaratri to purify their bodies and minds. They eat only certain foods like fruits and nuts, and they avoid eating meat and drinking alcohol.

Navaratri is a time for families and friends to come together to celebrate, dance, sing, and pray. It is a joyful and colorful festival that brings people closer to their culture and traditions.

  1. What is the significance of Navaratri?
  2. How do people celebrate Navaratri?
  3. What are some symbols and traditions associated with Navaratri?
  4. Explain the importance of fasting during Navaratri.
  5. How does Navaratri bring people closer to their culture and traditions?

My Family and Navaratri

Hi, my name is Hannah and I am 8 years old. Today, I want to share with you about how my family celebrates Navaratri, a special festival for Hindus to honor the goddess Durga. Navaratri lasts for nine nights and ten days, and each night represents a different form of the goddess. During this time, we wear colorful clothes and decorate our home with flowers and lights. We also set up a "golu" display with dolls and figurines that tell stories from Hindu mythology.

  1. Why is Navaratri celebrated?
  2. What are some traditions during Navaratri?
  3. What is the significance of the "dandiya" dance?
  4. How do people fast during Navaratri?
  5. How does Navaratri bring families and friends together?

Comparing Navaratri to another Festival

After learning all about Navaratri, is there another festival that you celebrate or that you know that is similar in any way? Make a project comparing the similarities and differences between this festival and Navaratriand think about what symbols and traditions that are part of it. Think about the story of the festival, if it has one, where it is mainly celebrated - whether it is one country or all over the world. You can produce the project using any medium whether it's paper or on a laptop.

Slideshow - Navaratri
A full set of teaching plans for Navaratriteaching.