Navaratri
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Ashvin (September–October). It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere. Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri. There are 2 Gupta Navaratris as well, one starting on the Shukla paksha Pratipada of the Magha Month (Magha Gupta navaratri) and another starting in the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Jyestha Month.
| Navaratri | |
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Murti of Durga upon a tiger during Navaratri, Pune | |
| Also called |
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| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Celebrations | 10 days (9 nights) |
| Observances |
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| Date | multi-day |
| 2023 date | 15 Oct (Sun) – 23 Oct (Mon) |
| 2024 date | 3 Oct (Thu) – 12 Oct (Sat) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Vijayadashami, Dashain |
Hindu festival dates The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta. If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. A lunar year is shorter than a solar year by about eleven days. As a result, most Hindu festivals occur on different days in successive years on the Gregorian calendar. | |
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