Who should celebrate Navratri this year?

 

A festival is a day or series of celebration, which is celebrated by a group or a community in a region.It is meant to celebrate the significance of that particular day. There is either a national or local holiday during a festival.

India being such a diverse and secular country, has a great amount of festivals. Earlier prejudices did stop one religion to celebrate the festivals of another religion, but today with the modern ideas of Unity and Togetherness, everyone irrespective of the religion they follow, celebrate every festival, which not only brings people close, but also enhances the significance and grace of the festival.

 One of the festivals of India is Navratri. It originates from the sanskrit language, where "Nava" means Nine and "Ratri" means Night. The meaning clearly tells us that the festival of Navratri is celebrated for Nine Nights. People celebrate this festival by performing Poojas, Setting up Pandals and perform a dance called "Garba". Earlier, it was only celebrated by the followers of Hinduism and Shaktism, but now everyone takes part in the celebration of Navratri.The Nine days of Navratri symbolise the nine forms of Goddess durga.

1.Goddess Shailputri

2.Goddess Brahmacharini

3.Goddess Chandraghanta

4.Goddess Kushmanda

5.Goddess Skandamata

6.Goddess Kathyayani

7.Goddess Kaalratri

8.Goddess Mahagauri

9.Goddess Siddhidatri

Navratri is meant to signify the victory of good over evil,when Goddess "Durga" had quelled the evil and monstrous demon, "Mahishasura". I feel that this also signifies the power of a woman who can win over any evil.

We all know the harsh conditions and testing times that the Pandemic has pushed upon us. In order to overcome these situations, Social Distancing and Hygienic Steps are the only way. But, pandals, poojas and garba require a mass amount of people gathered in contact, which is not at all feasible towards the prevention of the pandemic. This will do nothing but increase the number of people affected by the virus.

I personally feel that a festival is not only meant to signify it's cultural inheritance but bring such happiness and joy, that everybody can make merry.By celebrating Navratri this year, we will only spread the virus. And nobody can be happy by spreading the virus and sorrow will follow all this which will break the exuberance of this divine festival. Hence, no one sensible should celebrate Navratri this year. But still there are additional people who are not worthy to celebrate Navratri even after the pandemic is over.

In India, rape cases are increasing day by day. Also crimes against women have increased by 7% in India. The people who promote sexual abuse, female foeticide and misogyny in a country are not even worthy to watch a dream of worshipping goddesses. These people should have shame upon themselves that they worship a goddess and disrespect her own incarnations. 

In these hard times, let's solemnize to keep others happy and hence fulfill the ultimate meaning of a festival by playing our essential role of not gathering in Navratri. This is the only thing, I think Goddess Durga will like this year. We do not need to gather for rituals so that Goddess Durga answers our prayers. Just the spirituality and the habit of respecting women, will make her happy.

"HAPPY NAVRATRI"

-Tanish Askulkar