New Delhi: Navaratri is a festival celebrated in the honour of Goddess Durga. Navratri 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 Navratri occurs at the onset of the autumn season, whereas Chaitra Navaratri occurs in the spring. The religious traditions of both--Sharad Navratri and are Chaitra Navratri--are the same.
This time Sharad Navratri 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. Kushmanda
5. Skandamata
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.
Seventh Navaratri October 21 Saturday: Kaalratri
The Seventh day is dedicated to the Goddess Kaalratri. She is often referenced in the Devi Mahatmya. Kalaratri is one of the fearsome forms of the Goddess.
The names Kali and Kalaratri are being used interchangeably although these two deities are argued to be separate by some. Kali is first mentioned as a distinct goddess around 300 BCE in the Mahabharata.
A furious Maa Kaalratri started drinking the blood of each clone of Raktabeej that she attacked to prevent the blood from dropping on the ground. This way she killed Raktabeej.
Kaalratri evokes fear. She uses this form to destroy evil powers like negativity, cruelty and ignorance. Devotees pray to her to dispel darkness, ignorance, and sorrow from their lives.
