Navratri: 9 Nights, a bridge between seasons

The 9 nights of Navratri represent that bridge between seasons. It is symbolic of the old and spent and birth of something new.

Navratri is a period of introspection, rejuvenation and rebirth of all three aspects of our being: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. This is the time to bring everything into balance. there are four periods of Navratri during the year.

These four periods of Navratri are the focal points of changes in our life. They mark the end of what is old, spent, harmful and birth of something new. They may be considered as period of introspection, rejuvenation, and rebirth on all the three planes: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. This is the time to bring everything in balance.

In my traditional practice, Divine Energy symbolised by the Adi Shakti (Primal Energy) is invoked during these 9 days/ nights. this is to help control and cleanse the nine physical openings (nou dwar) of the physical body. Two Eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one Mouth, one Anus and one urinary opening.

I believe that whatever you eat, is reflected in your thoughts and mind.

In Ayurveda, foods have been divided into three categories, depending upon their nature and response they trigger in the body after being consumed. Rajasic Foods, Tamasic Foods and Sattvic Foods, during fasting & cleansing we consume Sattvic foods.

Navratri is also the period of cleansing the mind of the nine negative forces – These are lust, anger, greed, delusion, ego, jealousy, doubt, attachment, and hatred. These emotions are responsible for negativity and abasement.

Fasting and Chanting during Navratri

Fasting observed during this period serves as a perfectly timed seasonal cleanse and helps align the body with the seasonal transition taking place outside.

Fasting has psychological benefits including strengthening one’s will power and removing emotional blocks.

Fasting not only cleanses the body of toxins (a perfect liver detox) but it has psychological benefits including strengthening the will power and shedding emotional blocks.

It is the time to reflect inwards.

Self-control and discipline help rid the mind of its fears, doubts and insecurities making room for positivity.

Chanting is an important tool for attaining a higher understanding of your own energy.