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Unlock This CourseNavaratri means 'nine nights'. It is a Hindu festival held in the autumn, usually in September or October, and it is one of the biggest festivals of the Hindu year. The dates change each year because Hindus follow a calendar based on the moon. It is a festival of the goddess, and it celebrates Shakti, the divine feminine power that Hindus believe is behind all creation and energy.
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The story tells of the buffalo demon Mahishasura, who became so powerful that no god or man could defeat him. He drove the gods out of heaven. The gods joined their powers together and from this combined power Durga was created. Each god gave her a weapon.
Durga fought Mahishasura for nine nights. On the tenth day she killed him. This is why Navaratri lasts nine nights and why the tenth day, Dussehra, celebrates the victory of good over evil.
The story shows that Shakti is the power which saves the world when the gods cannot. Hindus do not see Durga as separate from Shakti: she is Shakti in her fierce, protective form.
Hindus honour nine forms of Durga during Navaratri, one for each night. The first is Shailaputra, 'daughter of the mountain'. Her story begins with Sati, the wife of Shiva. Sati was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of Himavat, the king of the mountains, which is why she is called the daughter of the mountain. She is the first form of Durga honoured, so the festival begins with her. Many Hindus see her as a reminder that the goddess is both a loving daughter and a powerful force, and that devotion can last through more than one life.
In Bengal, communities build decorated images of Durga defeating Mahishasura and worship them in large temporary shrines. At the end the images are carried in processions and immersed in water.
In Gujarat people dance the garba, in circles around a lamp or an image of the goddess, and the dandiya, using decorated sticks. The dancing is a joyful way to honour Shakti.
On Dussehra, especially in northern India, large figures of the demon king Ravana are filled with fireworks and burned. This shows evil being destroyed.
Hindus do not all celebrate Navaratri in the same way, or understand it in the same way.
Navaratri matters because it celebrates the power of the goddess, reminds Hindus that good wins over evil, and brings families and communities together.
(a) Outline two ways in which Hindus celebrate Navaratri. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why Navaratri is important for Hindus. [6 marks]
(c) 'Dancing is the best way to celebrate Navaratri.' Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view; your opinion, using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
(a) One way is Durga Puja in Bengal (1), where decorated images of Durga are worshipped and then immersed in water (1). A second way is dancing garba and dandiya in Gujarat (1), where people dance in circles to honour the goddess (1).
(b) Navaratri is important because it celebrates the story of Durga killing Mahishasura. The gods could not defeat him, so Durga was created from their combined powers. This shows Hindus that good will always defeat evil, which is celebrated on Dussehra. It is also important because it honours Shakti, the divine feminine power, so many Hindus see it as a time to worship the goddess as the supreme power. Fasting and chanting the Devi Mahatmya help believers to show devotion and to be self-disciplined. Finally, it brings families and communities together, so it keeps traditions alive (Level 2: four developed reasons, with correct terms and the effect on Hindus.)
(c) Plan. For: garba and dandiya are joyful, welcome everyone, and honour Shakti through movement; they bring the community together. Against: some Hindus say the heart of Navaratri is worship, such as the Devi Mahatmya, fasting and Durga Puja, and that dancing alone could become just entertainment. Divergent view: in Bengal Durga Puja matters most, and in northern India the burning of Ravana on Dussehra is the highlight. Conclusion: dancing is an important way, especially in Gujarat, but it is not the only or the best way for every Hindu, because the festival also centres on prayer and the story of Durga.
In an 'outline' question each way needs a point and a development, and both must be specific to Hindus and Navaratri. Name the place or the practice, such as Durga Puja in Bengal or garba in Gujarat.