Navratri Celebration in Dubai with Special Foods & Sweets

Navratri is one of the biggest, pivotal, and multifaceted festivals in Hinduism that celebrates the victory of good over evil, seasonal transitions, the power of the divine femininity, cultural diversity, and spiritual renewal.

Celebrated across the globe, the dynamic festival brings people together like nothing else. In this space, we will get to know more about it in-depth. From its history to its significance, from why it is celebrated to how it is celebrated, we will cover everything in one space. And as a bonus, we will also let you know how you can celebrate it with vigour in Dubai with us at MyGovindas.

History and Significance of Navratri

Navratri translates to "nine nights" and refers to a Hindu festival that honours the divine feminine energy, to be precise, Goddess Durga, and her triumph over the monstrous demon Mahishasura. Navratri is also regarded as a harvest festival in various regions and showcases the cultural diversity of India through varied regional celebrations.

As stated earlier, this festival is also a celebration of the feminine energy, or Shakti, and its power to not only create and preserve, but also destroy. The nine nights are dedicated to worshipping varied forms of Goddess Durga, each showcasing a unique aspect of life - from courage to beauty, from strength to wisdom. Here are the nine forms of the feminine energy celebrated during Navratri.

• Shailaputri: Daughter of the mountains, denoting devotion and purity.
• Brahmacharini: Goddess of austerity and penance, symbolising self-discipline.
• Chandraghanta: Warrior goddess with a bell on her forehead, denoting strength and courage.
• Kushmanda: Builder of the universe, associated with energy and vegetation.
• Skandamata: Mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), denoting protection and motherhood.
• Katyayani: Fierce goddess warrior, destroyer of evil forces like Mahishasura.
• Kalaratri: Goddess of darkness, denoting the destruction of negativity and evil energy.
• Mahagauri: Fair goddess, embodying serenity, peace, and purity.
• Siddhidhatri: Bestower of supernatural powers and perfections.

The central legend behind Navratri is the legendary battle between Goddess Durga and the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura. When Mahishasura obtained a boon of invincibility from Lord Brahma, he terrorised the inhabitants of both the Earth and the heavens. Unable to defeat him, the gods joined their forces and combined their cosmic powers to create Goddess Durga.

For nine continuous nights and ten days, Goddess Durga battled Mahishasura, ultimately vanquishing him on the tenth day. This is why the tenth day is called Vijayadashami. This victory denotes the triumph of righteousness over negative forces.

Navratri also culminates in Dussehra, to celebrate the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Effigies of Ravana are often burned across India, marking the destruction of arrogance and evil. Dussehra thus serves as a reminder of righteousness, courage, and the ultimate victory of truth.

Navratri is seen as a journey towards spiritual growth and self-realisation. It promotes self-purification and introspection through practices like meditation and fasting, consumption of Sattvik food, and confronting inner demons, similar to how Goddess Durga fought Mahishasura.

Why Do We Celebrate Navratri?

Navratri is celebrated across the globe to honour Goddess Durga, reflecting the triumph of good over evil. The vivacious festival commemorates her win over the demon Mahishasura, a battle that lasted for nine nights and ten days. During this time, devotees of Goddess Durga worship her varied forms as stated earlier. Through prayers, devotees seek her blessings for prosperity, strength, and spiritual growth.

The most prominent and distinct narrative revolving around Navratri is the triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. As we discussed earlier, Mahishasura, who had a boon of near-immortality that protected him from any man or god, was a menace on both Earth and heaven.

Unable to beat him, the gods combined their divine powers and united their forces to create Durga, a fierce goddess warrior. She battled Mahishasura for nine continuous nights and defeated him on the tenth day, which came to be celebrated as Dusshera or Vijayadashami. This triumph denotes the victory of good over evil forces.

The festival also coincides with a change of seasons, specifically the transition from monsoon to autumn in various parts of India. In certain regions, it's also celebrated as a harvest festival, where farmers seek the blessings of Goddess Durga for a rich and bountiful harvest.

Navratri celebrates the divine feminine energy, also known as Devi or Shakti. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to commemorating a different form of Goddess Durga, who is collectively known as Navadurga. These forms denote the diverse aspects of wisdom, beauty, power, strength, and auspiciousness of the goddess. The worship of the Navadurga is believed to foster spiritual growth, overcome obstacles, and awaken inner strength within devotees.

It is a period of intense introspection and spiritual devotion for many Hindus. Fasting, chanting, prayers, and meditation are common practices during these nine days, aimed at purifying the mind and the body, deepening one's inner spiritual connection, and seeking blessings from the Goddess.

How is Navratri Celebrated?

Navratri serves as a vibrant cultural celebration across India, with regional variations in rituals and traditions. Examples include Durga Puja in West Bengal, the Garba and Dandiya dances in Gujarat, and Golu displays in Tamil Nadu. These festivities encourage artistic expression, community bonding, and the sharing of cultural heritage.

Gujarat is famous for the lively Dandiya Raas dances and Garba, where people wear colourful attire and dance in circles to traditional music.

In West Bengal and northeast India, it is celebrated as Durga Puja, with intricate pandals (temporary temples) housing gorgeous Durga idols. The final five days are particularly significant, featuring feasts, cultural programs, and processions.

In North India, Navratri celebrations include Ramlila performances dramatising the Ramayana, burning effigies of Ravana on Dussehra, and fasting.

In South India, the celebration is marked by "Kolu" or "Bommai Kolu" with displays of dolls and figurines in homes, showcasing historical scenes. Ayudha Puja involves worshipping instruments and tools on the ninth day.

Fasting during Navratri is a widespread practice and is believed to cleanse the mind and body to enhance spiritual awareness. Many devotees may abstain from meat, grains, and other specific foods, opting for milk, fruits, and dedicated fasting recipes.

Navratri celebrations may vary across different parts of India, but they showcase the rich cultural tapestry of India. Despite the variations, the uniting theme of this pious festival is celebrating the victory of good over evil and the divine feminine power.

Navratri Celebration in Dubai

Navratri is celebrated with great fervour and vigour in Dubai, especially among the Indian expat community. Numerous events and gatherings are held during this festive season.

You will find large-scale Dandiya Raas and Garba events at venues like Al Nasr Club, often featuring live music and going on until the early hours. These events are famous for their energetic atmosphere and offer a chance for people to celebrate traditional Indian dance forms.

Hindu temples across Dubai hold special prayers, Bhajans, Aartis, and Abhishekhams during Navratri and Dussehra. These celebrations observe traditional rituals and follow the significant prayers associated with Goddess Durga.

Celebrating Navratri with MyGovindas

Noting the pious concept of the festival, we at MyGovindas offer pure veg Indian Thalis for you to feast upon with your loved ones during Navratri. Our chefs curate recipes from across the varied regions of India to ensure you enjoy the authenticity of Indian cuisines during this highly revered festival.

Food is an integral part of any Indian festivities, and we realise it. This is why we celebrate this beautiful festival with vigour, and we encourage you to enjoy the wide variety of delicious cuisines we offer. Whether you want to come and dine in one of our restaurants in Karama, JLT, Silicon Oasis, and Arjan or want to order online, we are here to serve you and make Navratri special.

To Conclude

In essence, Navratri is more than just a mere festival. It is a profound spiritual and cultural journey deeply ingrained in the history and diverse traditions of India. It is a reminder of the lasting message of the victory of good over evil, the relevance of inner strength, and the power of the divine feminine energy in its varied, distinct forms.