Navratri as the name suggests is marked by the nine days and nights that worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The festival is a long-drawn festival whose preparations start in advance and are vast. People in India look forward to these celebrations as it brings all the family members together under the same roof. Some travel back to their houses, and some visit their relative’s places to enjoy the festivities with full vim and vigor. For those who can’t make it to their home or those who have relatives spread all over India send gifts for their near ones. Sending gifts convey their warm wishes and love for their loved ones. So, with time sending Navratri gifts has become an integral part of the Navratri celebrations.
As Navratri gifts express love and warm wishes ones has to choose the gift very carefully. There are plenty of options to choose from if you look carefully. We know thinking about gifts for everyone might be hard. If you are one of those who find it difficult to choose a gift nevertheless then it will be difficult to come to a conclusion. Hence, we are here to help you decide on a gift, the best thing that you can send to your loved ones is sweets and dry fruits. As sweets are the embodiment of festivities if you wish to send something that embodies festival then sweets and dry fruits are the best. If not that then you can go for some puja essentials like the puja thali, diya, incense stick holder, and anything that is needed in the puja ceremony. You can send fresh fruits or maybe flowers too, these can be used in the puja as well. As the celebrations witnesses elaborate puja ceremonies, and many more rituals as well. If you want to know more about the ceremonies, traditions, and customs of Navratri then this article has everything that you wish to cover.
The customs and traditions of Navratri follow and showcase the rich culture and heritage of India and the powerful belief in the forces of Nature, Gods, and Goddesses. Goddess Durga signifies virtues that are essential to uphold the life of a person. As mentioned before the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped each day of the nine days of Navratri. Dedicated to the deity Shakti, this festival is celebrated by either fasting for the whole nine days or going on a vegetarian diet. These nine days are very rigorous for the ones who fast and follow extensive traditions.
In India, it is believed that we welcome the Gods and Goddesses in our house and worship them. Hence, it is a very renowned custom in India to clean the house before any festival. Even before the festival starts the house is cleaned properly and every family member participates in the process of cleaning. There is a custom that is observed in many parts of India on the first day of the festival which includes planting barley seeds in the house. At the end of the festival, when the shoots are fully grown, they are given to the devotees as a sign of the blessings of Goddess Durga. The customs of Navratri are unique and they have been observed with a lot of belief in the power of the Goddess who is said to be our protector and mother. It is customary to wear new clothes throughout the occasion of Navratri.
Throughout the festival, all the various forms of the Goddess are worshipped and when the final day of the festival arrives, the Kanya Puja is performed. It is a tradition that has been followed for ages and it signifies the welcoming of the 9 forms of Goddess Durga in the forms of 9 young girls. The girls are dressed like the goddess believing that they take care of the young girls symbolizing the nine forms of the Goddess Durga. On the final night of the festival celebrate the arrival and the last day of the Goddess with them before she leaves for her abode in Kailash. Everyone heads to places that organize Garba programs for playing Garba and Dandiya. These two dances are fun and traditional dance forms of Gujarat that everyone loves to take part in with full enthusiasm and vigor.
With much zest and enthusiasm, each day of the festival is celebrated and it ends on a happy note. People connect and reconnect with their loved ones on these nine days. Those who cannot be a part of these celebrations can be a part of them by sending Navratri gifts to their loved ones. It will be a unique way to become a part of the happiness but something is always better than nothing.
