Nawaratri and Nawadurga: An overview of the Festival of Nepal

Nawaratri and Nawadurga: An Overview of the Festival in Nepal

Nawaratri (nine nights) is a major Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in Nepal. Dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, the festival holds immense spiritual significance. In Nepal, Nawaratri is a period for worshiping Nawadurga, the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, each symbolizing different attributes and powers. The festival is marked by rituals, fasting, pujas, and various cultural activities that take place across the country, especially in the Kathmandu Valley.

Nawaratri 2024 Dates

The dates for Nawaratri vary each year depending on the lunar calendar. In 2024, the festival begins on October 3, 2024, and ends on October 11, 2024. This period also coincides with Dashain, the most significant festival in Nepal, making Nawaratri an essential part of the Dashain celebrations.

Cultural and Spiritual Importance of Nawaratri in Nepal

In Nepal, Nawaratri is deeply intertwined with the Dashain festival, which celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is a time for family gatherings, rituals, and blessings.

During Nawaratri, temples dedicated to Durga and her various forms are adorned with offerings of flowers, incense, and lamps. Thousands of devotees visit prominent temples such as Sankata Temple, Mahakali Temple, and the Guhyeshwari Temple in the Kathmandu Valley to offer prayers and seek blessings.

For the duration of Nawaratri, devotees observe fasting, perform daily pujas, and take part in special rituals at homes and temples. Many offer prayers to Nawadurga to seek her protection, prosperity, and spiritual strength. The nine days of the festival are considered highly auspicious for removing obstacles and purifying the mind and body.

Nawadurga (नवदुर्गा): The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Each day of Nawaratri is dedicated to one of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Nawadurga. Each form represents a unique aspect of the goddess's power, and devotees offer prayers and perform rituals specific to each incarnation.

• 1. Shailaputri (Daughter of the Mountain) - Day 1: Shailaputri is worshipped as the embodiment of nature and represents strength and purity.
• 2. Brahmacharini (The Ascetic) - Day 2: Brahmacharini represents devotion and penance.
• 3. Chandraghanta (The Bell-Adorned Goddess) - Day 3: Chandraghanta is revered for her bravery and protective nature.
• 4. Kushmanda (The Creator of the Universe) - Day 4: Kushmanda is worshipped for her creative energy, representing the power of creation.
• 5. Skandamata (The Mother of Skanda) - Day 5: As the mother of Lord Kartikeya, Skandamata signifies motherly love and care.
• 6. Katyayani (The Warrior Goddess) - Day 6: Katyayani is the fierce form of Durga, representing strength and protection.
• 7. Kalaratri (The Dark Night of Destruction) - Day 7: Kalaratri is worshipped for the destruction of ignorance and darkness.
• 8. Mahagauri (The Radiant Goddess) - Day 8: Mahagauri symbolizes peace, purity, and spiritual enlightenment.
• 9. Siddhidatri (The Giver of Supernatural Powers) - Day 9: Siddhidatri bestows wisdom, knowledge, and divine powers.

Nawaratri and Dashain in Nepal

In Nepal, Nawaratri coincides with the celebration of Dashain, a festival that spans over fifteen days. The Ghatasthapana marks the start of both Nawaratri and Dashain, where a sacred Kalash (vessel) is installed in homes and temples, symbolizing the presence of Goddess Durga. Barley seeds are sown in a pot, which will later grow into Jamara (barley grass), representing fertility and prosperity.

Dashain is a time when families come together, and houses are cleaned and decorated to welcome the goddess. In many households, Kojagrat Purnima marks the end of both Nawaratri and Dashain, where offerings are made to Durga for her protection and blessings throughout the year.

Rituals and Fasting During Nawaratri

Fasting during Nawaratri is a common practice in Nepal, as it is believed to purify the body and mind, allowing for greater spiritual focus. Devotees avoid consuming meat, grains, garlic, and onions, opting instead for light, vegetarian meals. Some people observe partial fasting, while others undertake a strict fast for all nine days, subsisting on fruits and water.

Daily prayers and chanting of Durga Saptashati, a sacred text that narrates the story of Durga's victory over Mahishasura, are integral to the celebrations. Homes and temples resonate with devotional songs and hymns dedicated to Durga, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.

Famous Durga Temples in Nepal

During Nawaratri, devotees visit some of the most revered Durga temples across Nepal to offer prayers and seek blessings. Some of these include:

• Sankata Temple – Located in Kathmandu, this is one of the most important temples dedicated to Goddess Durga in her Sankata form.
• Guhyeshwari Temple – Near Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Guhyeshwari, a manifestation of Durga.
• Kalikasthan – A temple situated in Kathmandu, dedicated to Kali, one of the fiercest forms of Durga.

Conclusion

Nawaratri in Nepal is much more than a religious festival; it is a period of deep spiritual reflection, cultural celebration, and family gatherings. The worship of Nawadurga symbolizes the divine feminine energy and the triumph of good over evil. As part of the larger Dashain festival, Nawaratri is not only a time for religious observances but also for celebrating familial bonds, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

With its unique blend of rituals, fasting, and devotion, Nawaratri holds a special place in the hearts of Nepali Hindus, drawing people from all walks of life to unite in celebration of the goddess Durga and her many forms.

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Litterateur

Page article "Nawaratri and Nawadurga: An overview of the Festival of Nepal" -by Dr. Kalinkaar Dipendra

References

• Markandeya Purana (Devi Mahatmya / Durga Saptashati)
• Skanda Purana
• Brahmanda Purana
• Kalika Purana
• Varaha Purana
• Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition, J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ABC-CLIO, 2010. URL:Click here
• Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power, Laura Amazzone, University Press of America, 2010. URL:Click here

Last updated on

October 3, 2024

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