Springtime Purification, Beauty and Abundance

Navaratri or Nine Nights of Goddess refers to a series of nine nights celebrated four times a year when the Goddess energy (creative energy) is at its peak. Prayers offered during these nine nights will aid in material and spiritual progress. The concept of the Goddess is intriguing as nothing can happen without her presence. The human female acts as a surrogate of the Goddess.

The term Navaratri is most often associated with the celebrations that take place in the lunar month of Ashwini (September-October). Navaratri is celebrated in both the autumn and spring, when nature undergoes important seasonal changes. It is also held during the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter. This is a time of thanksgiving for Mother Nature, who protects and sustains us.

Awaken the Shakti - Vasanta Navratri

Vasanta Navaratri is the time to worship the Goddess in her Shakti (Energy) form so that you can transform your consciousness, manifest abundant wealth, create a positive balance in your life and receive divine help in your academic and literary pursuits. This festival consists of nine nights dedicated to the Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is also known as 'Chaitra Navratras' or Spring Navaratri. It is celebrated in the lunar month of Chitra (March-April).

The nine night of Vasanta Navaratri are divided into three groups of three days, each dedicated to different aspects of the Supreme Goddess. During the first three nights, the Mother is invoked as the powerful Goddess Durga, the one who destroys all our impurities, vices and defects. Over the next three nights, the Mother is adored as Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of inexhaustible wealth and the abundance to sustain both our own life and the lives of others. The final three days are spent worshipping the Mother as Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and creation. She holds the secrets for transforming ideas and intellect into right creation.

In Vedic Astrology, Durga is the Overlord of the North Node of the moon known as Rahu. Her energy counteracts and destroys the negative influences of Rahu. Lakshmi is the Overlord of the planet Venus. She brings more pleasures, comforts and fun into your life. Saraswati is not the Overlord of any planet, yet she embodies the secrets of sound and speech, and therefore correct thinking. These are essential for academic and spiritual mastery, music, dance and creation.

The Legend behind Spring Navratri

The Vasanta Navaratri also coincides with Ram Navami, which falls on the ninth day of Chaitra month. Due to this correlation, Vasanta Navaratri is also known as Ram Navaratri. Devotees often fast during the period of Navaratri. On the Ashtami day (8th day) young girls are worshiped as Kanya Devi (Virgin Goddess).

Devi Bhagavatam, a holy scripture dedicated to the Supreme Goddess, considers the Mother Goddess even greater than the holy trinity. According to the legend, Devi sat on the tip of a needle for nine days, doing a severe penance to destroy the evil Demon Mahisha. The first three days, she meditated as Goddess Durga, the next three days as Goddess Maha Lakshmi and the last three days as Goddess Saraswati. Spiritually this signifies a progressive movement towards satvic principles, eventually resulting in liberation from the imperfections of life.