Morning Aarti at Jhandewalan Mata Temple on Shardiya Navratri Day 4
In New Delhi, the morning aarti was performed at the Jhandewalan Mata Temple on the fourth day of Shardiya Navratri. This day is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga in the form of Mata Kushmanda, who is considered the supreme divinity of the solar system in Hindu philosophy. Devotees believe that worshipping Mata Kushmanda helps them overcome illnesses, sorrows, and imperfections.
About Navratri
Navratri, meaning ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit, is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navdurga. It is celebrated with great devotion across India, with rituals and prayers honoring the goddess in her various forms. Although there are four Navratris observed throughout the year, Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri are the most widely celebrated, coinciding with seasonal changes.
Celebrations Across India
In North India, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, the festival includes the Ramlila, a dramatic re-enactment of scenes from the Ramayana. Navratri concludes with Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, which celebrates the victory of good over evil, marked by the burning of King Ravana’s effigies.
Doubts Revealed
Aarti -: Aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, where light from wicks soaked in ghee or camphor is offered to one or more deities. It is usually performed during prayers.
Jhandewalan Mata Temple -: Jhandewalan Mata Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in New Delhi, India. It is dedicated to the goddess Jhandewali Mata, a form of Goddess Durga.
Shardiya Navratri -: Shardiya Navratri is a Hindu festival that lasts for nine nights and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. It usually occurs in the autumn season.
Mata Kushmanda -: Mata Kushmanda is one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is believed to have created the universe with her divine smile.
Navratri -: Navratri is a Hindu festival that means ‘nine nights’. It is celebrated to honor Goddess Durga and her nine different forms, with various rituals and prayers.
Ramlila -: Ramlila is a traditional performance of the Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic, depicting the life of Lord Rama. It is commonly performed during Navratri in North India.
Vijayadashami -: Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is a Hindu festival that marks the end of Navratri. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized by Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana.