Navami
Maha Navami (Mahanavami) or Durga Navami is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. It is the last day of battle between goddess Durga and demon Mahishasura. Maha Navami begins with Mahasnan (holy bath), followed by prayers to goddess Durga or Maa Durga. It is believed that on Maha Navami goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardhini - which literally means the slayer of the buffalo demon or mahishasura. On Maha Navami, Durga Maa made her final assault on demon Mahishasura, and the following morning, on Vijayadashami, triumphed over him. In fact, Vijayadashami gets derives its name from the Sanskrit and Hindi words Vijaya meaning victorious or triumphant, and Dashami, meaning tenth day. Vijayadashami is also celebrated as Dussehra, which too derives its name from the Sanskrit words Dush meaning bad or evil, and Hara which means defeating or destroying - thereby signifying the victory of good over evil.
Festivals
- Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating of the birth of Rama. It is celebrated in Chaitra month (sukla pakshami).
- Swaminarayan Jayanti is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Swaminarayan. It is celebrated in Chaitra month on the ninth day which actually falls onto Sri Rama Navami
- Maha navami (the Great Navratri) is part of Navaratri celebrations. Sharad Navaratri is the most important of the Navratris, and is celebrated during Sharad Ritu. Ayudha Puja or Astra Puja is an integral part of the Dasara festival, a Hindu festival which is traditionally celebrated in India. In simple terms, it means “Worship of Implements”.
Events
Hindu saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami was born on Phalguna Sukla Navami, when the moon was in Mrigashīrsha Nakshatra, in 1595 AD and advocated Sri Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy.