Chinmaya Mission New York
Dear CMNY family,
Hari Om!
On behalf of the board members of Chinmaya Mission New York, I would like to extend special Navraatri greetings to all!
For these nine nights, millions of Hindus around the world will celebrate Chaitra Navraatri. This auspicious observance occurs mid March to early April and is known as Chaitra or Vasant Navraatri. This celebration lasts for nine (nava-) nights (-Raatri) thus the name Navraatri which begins in the bright half of the month of Chaitra (starting from the day after Amavasya). This period of nine days heralds the onset of spring and also marks the beginning of the new year for the hindu calendar in most parts of India.
The nine-day festival honors the role of three prinicipal female Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon – Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The period of Chaitra Navraatri concludes with Ramanavami (or Lord Rama’s birthday) on the tenth day.
The nine day period is marked as a period of “cleansing” and fasting by all devotees of Devi Durga. All 40 verses of the Durga Chalisa is chanted with great vigor every evening during this period. The festival is marked on the eighth day or ashtami by honoring nine young girls.
The story of Navraatri is a symbolic message that Goodness will always prevail and those who are evil will certainly be destroyed. The story is associated with Durga and Mahisasura, the buffalo headed demon.
One popular legend tells of Mahishasura who was extremely powerful and declared himself to be God. In order to destroy Mahishasura Durga Devi emerged taking the terrible form of Durga.
When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he was mesmerized by her beauty. He then fell in love with her and proposed to marry her. Devi Durga agreed to marry him, if he defeated her in the battle. There was a ferocious battle between both of them which continued for nine days. Finally, on the last day, Durga took the form of Chandika and stood over the chest of Mahishasura and smashed him with her foot. She then pierced his neck with her spear and cut off his head off with her sword. It is the day when Vijayadashmi is celebrated.
May the Goddess Durga bless you and guide you and your family to the ultimate goal of God Realization.
With Prem and Om,
Acharya Arun Gossai
Acharya Arun Gossai
