As the nine day festival of Navratri kick starts today, people around the country are gearing up for some fun filled moments. For most of us, festivals are synonymous to extreme fun and joy. It comes as a welcome break from the monotonous routine. However, the fact is, festivals have a lot more than mere joy and celebrations. Every festival that we celebrate has a justified reason and significance. There is a message each festival gives us that can make life easier and free of troubles. And Navratri is no exception; it too has a meaning and significance which somehow seem to be unforgotten.
Here in this article, we have made an attempt to bring you closer to the real meaning and purpose of Navratri. Read on to know if we all are on the right track.
Navratri: Celebration of Woman Power
Festival of Navratri is all about worshiping goddess Durga. During the nine days, the nine forms of Devi or Shakti are worshiped with great faith and sheer dedication. It begins on the first day of bright half of the Ashvin or Ashwayuja i.e. between September and October. The festivity comes to an end on the ninth day of the Ashvin. We celebrate the tenth day as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
As per the Hindu traditions, Navratri is the symbol of good winning over evil. Ancient tales state that this festival marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Goddess Durga fought with Mahishasura for nine days and nine nights before winning over the demon on the tenth day.
In these nine days, Goddess Shakti is worshiped in her nine different forms for knowledge, richness, prosperity as well as auspiciousness. In all, we can state that Navratri is the celebration of woman power, which is what makes life possible on earth.
Are the women really empowered?
It's no less than an irony of sort that the Indian culture which gives utmost importance to the Goddess, fails to show tolerance and respect towards women in the society. Every year we celebrate the festival of Navratri singing praises to the mighty Goddess Durga. We offer prayers before the Goddess of wealth Lakshmi, praying for prosperity; we seek knowledge from Goddess Saraswati but when it comes to the women in our lives, we seldom show the needed gratitude. A country like India where Goddesses are worshiped, women has no stand.
Since ages we have been talking about empowerment and safety of women. However, these are just talks. As the ongoing crimes against women are proof that our mindset is still the same and this hypocrisy is here to stay. No matter in which part of the country we go, crime against women echoes from every corner. Despite the various laws made to protect the dignity of women, they are still playing weak victims in the hands of some immoral bunch of people.
Growing Crime Against Women: Hear what the facts say!
We have numerous cases where a woman has been subjected to this dreadful crime.The nation is still horrified by the heinous gang rape of the paramedical student that took place on the disastrous night of December 16, 2012. The nationwide protests that were made following the crime did create a stir but blame it on our lame laws; such incidents are still on the go.
Be it the Shakti Mills gang rape case that took place in Mumbai in 2013, or the horrific rape of a six-year-old girl in Bangalore; all of them raised a question mark over Indian law & order claiming of women's safety. While on one hand the political leaders, the religious gurus and other prominent ones talk of lifting up women's stature; here we have these figures that talk how well things are being executed. From rape to molestation, from female foeticide to domestic violence; the fact remains unchanged that every minute one woman is being made to suffer in every corner of the country.
Looking for the Silver Lining: Let's Bring the Change Together
Things are truly miserable for women, but as we say; every cloud has a silver lining. We just have to find it. Bringing a change is possible provided we all make a cumulative effort for the same. This Navratri, while we gather to indulge in Garba Ras and Dandiya celebrating the magnificence of Goddess Durga and her different forms; let us enlighten our minds and heart with purity of thoughts. We must make an effort to spread awareness about women rights and equality. Every change begins with us, and if we aim at protecting the women around us then no one can dare to harm their sanctity. We don't need arms or ammunition to fight out these perverts. Raising your voice is enough to scare them away.
Don't just be a mute spectator to the injustice happening to a woman around. One voice can bring in many voices together. And once we use the power of standing united against the evil, it will have to perish.
This is what Navratri teaches us, this is the message that must reach out everywhere. Evil can never be stronger than the good, it will have to collapse before the power of righteousness.