Guest Blog: Understanding (and Respecting) the Hindu Holiday Navratri
Learn about the Hindu holiday Navratri and how you can be respectful of those who celebrate it in your workplace and community.
Navratri, also spelled Navaratri, is a Hindu festival celebrated for nine nights and ten days.
Some Sikh and Jain communities also observe Navratri. The word Navratri is a combination of “nava” (meaning nine) and “ratri” (meaning nights). Each year, the dates of Navratri festival are set based on the lunar calendar, usually taking place in October. Hindus commemorate Navratri for various reasons and in different ways, reflecting the diversity of the South Asian diaspora.
What is Navratri?
Navratri honors three major goddesses in Hinduism:
- Durga, the goddess of energy, strength, determination, and protection
- Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, good fortune, power, and beauty
- Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and art
Navratri is a celebration of women and empowerment in Hindu culture. It honors the victory of good over evil. The first three nights celebrate Durga, the next three celebrate Lakshmi, and the final three celebrate Saraswati.
