New Delhi: Navaratri is a festival celebrated in the honour of Goddess Durga. Navaratri is a Sanskrit word which means 'nine nights'. Though there are four Navaratris in a year, big celebrations are observed for two of them--first in the month of Chaitra (Chaitra Navaratri), and again in the month of Ashvin (Sharad/Shardiya Navratri).
Sharad Navaratri occurs at the onset of the autumn season, whereas Chaitra Navaratri occurs in the spring. The religious traditions of both--Sharad Navaratri and are Chaitra Navaratri--are the same.
This time Sharad Navaratri begins on October 15 and will last till October 23. The nine-day celebrations are devoted to honouring Goddess Durga in her nine forms and all of them have different significance.
These nine forms are:
1. Shailaputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Skandamata
5. Kushmanda
6. Katyayini
7. Kaalratri
8. Mahagauri
9. Siddhidatri
Dynamite News brings you the significance of these nine incarnations of Goddess Durga on the day they are worshipped.
Second Navaratri October 16 Monday: Brahmacharini
The second day is dedicated to the Goddess Brahmacharini. She is a representation of Goddess Parvati's extreme penance. Goddess Brahmacharini is a symbol of wisdom and austerity. Brahma (shortened from Brahman) means "the one self-existent Spirit, the Absolute Reality, Universal Self, Personal God, the sacred knowledge".
Brahmacharini means a devoted female student who lives in an Ashrama with her Guru along with other students. She is the second aspect of the Navadurga forms of Mahadevi and is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri.
Goddess Brahmacharini is all about power, determination and devotion.
