Essay on Navratri: Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated to honour Goddess Durga and her several incarnations. According to the Gregorian calendar it falls in October or November. The festival also symbolizes victory over evil and light over darkness. The festival continues for nine nights and ten days. The last day of the festival is known as Dussehra. It is a prominent festival in Maharashtra, West-Bengal and Gujarat. An idol of Goddess Durga is installed in big Pandals, and in homes, small idols are placed to worship the Goddess. People observe fast and visit Goddess temple to offer their gratitude and devotion. Since the festival eliminates negativity, it is believed that prosperity and good health starts flowing. Small girls are worshipped by providing gifts and sweets.
Below we have provided Navratri Essay in English, written in easy and simple words for class 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 students.
Essay on Navratri in 500 Words for Students
Below we have provided Essay on Navratri Festival, usually given for class 7, 8, 9 and 10 students.
Navratri is the festival of Hindus that lasts for nine days and is celebrated every year in the winter season. The festival falls in September or October and is observed in the honour of Goddess Durga. The nine days are dedicated to different forms of Goddess.
The word Navratri is divided into two words-‘Nav’ meaning nine and ‘Ratri’ meaning night. The festival also marks the victory over evil. In India, the festival is celebrated four times in a year and known by many names like Sharada, Magha, Vasanta and Ashada Navratri. Each holds a special significance and sacred meaning behind it. Among the mentioned Navratri, Sharada is the most famous and prominent festival across India.
The legend states that a demon king named as Mahishasura acquired mighty powers and magic by pleasing Lord Shiva. After emerging powerful, he started committing brutal acts on people who worshipped other Lords than him.
He was so consumed in his pride that he began to belittle other Gods and considered himself as an invincible being. The other Gods were petrified and pleaded the trinity of God-Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They unified and combined their forces and created Goddess Durga. When the demon confronted Goddess, he was mesmerized by her beauty and got attracted.
The demon wished to marry Goddess Durga. She agreed on one condition that, he has to defeat her in a battle. The devil was overconfident of his powers and accepted the challenge quickly. After that, the battle lasted for nine nights, and on a ninth night, the Goddess killed the demon. Hence, the nine days is referred to as Navratri.
People observe fast during the nine days and worship Goddess Durga. Prayers are offered in order to seek prosperity, good health and happiness of the family. On the last day, people break their fast by preforming Kanya Pujan on little girls because they symbolize purity. They are offered various delicacies like Halwa Puri, chana and things like money, clips, bangles etc.
In Gujarat, people celebrate the festival with great pomp and fervour. The women and menfolk dress up in traditional attires and enjoy together at a place where Dandiya dance and Garba dance is organized. The well-known temple of Goddess Vaishno Devi witnesses a massive crowd of devotees visiting the temple during the festival. It is believed that, if people visit the temple during the festival, the desires and wishes are fulfilled.
West Bengal is the state known for the exotic celebration of Navratri festival. It is the most prominent and famous festival. Unique Pandals are put up where the idol of Goddess Durga is worshipped. The Pandals are adorned with flowers and attractive decorative materials. People play with dry colours and dance in the last day of the procession. Women wear traditional Bengali sarees and perform a unique kind of dance.
The festival is celebrated with profound devotion and love towards the Goddess Durga. It gives a cultural view with great diversity in the form of dance, music and play. The nine days are filled with enthusiasm, fun and happiness. People are excited to play Garba and perform Aarti to express their gratitude.
Navratri Festival Essay in 250 Words
Navratri Essay in English, usually given for class 3, 4, 5 and 6 school students.
Navratri is the mirthful Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is celebrated in October or November. According to Hindu legend, Nav means nine, and Ratri means night. The festival continues for nine nights and ten days and ends with Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami. In some parts of India, Navratri is celebrated four times a year. They are referred to as Sharada, Vasanta, Magha, and Ashada Navratri.
According to ancient folklore, a demon called Mahishasura acquired mystic powers and magic from Lord Shiva after pleasing him through Tapa (meditation). He was believed to be an ardent follower and devotee of Lord Shiva. Once he became powerful, he started exploiting his powers by torturing and dominating people if they worshipped any other God besides him. All the other Gods were terrified and requested the trinity of Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh to save them from the destruction. So, they created Goddess Durga to be their saviour.
Mahishasura was so captivated by the beauty of the Goddess that he desired to marry her and sent the proposal. Goddess accepted the proposal on a condition to win the battle against her. He was over-confident and gave in quickly. The battle lasted for nine days, and on the tenth day, the demon was killed by the Goddess. Hence the name Navratri came into existence.
The celebration begins by assembling Pandals and installing the idol of Goddess Durga. Everyday people worship Her by performing Aarti. Moreover, fasts are observed and broken on the 10th day of the festival. Little girls are worshipped by distributing gifts and sweets. Garba and Dandiya dance is organized in a grand way to celebrate the nine days. People forget their worries and gather together to enjoy the fest. Not only Hindus, but non-Hindus too participate in the celebration.