Navratri started tonight. You can read all about it below. It is a time where there is a ton of idol worship, because they do not know the one true God. There is extremely loud music playing outside….louder than Bonnaroo! I observed some of their worship tonight, lots of dancing and clapping. It was truly beautiful to watch all the formations and customs, but sad to know that it is all for a statue that their local idol maker carved with his hands. My prayer is that God will reach these people…will you pray that with me? My biggest desire is that we would all be dancing and clapping around the throne of God together in Heaven one day!
I will try to post some pictures tomorrow. We have 9 more nights of this… well, hopefully I won’t be here nine more nights.
But, there is a prayer guide below to pray for the people of India during this time. Please join me in praying for Lyla’s people during these spiritual seeking days for Hindus.
I will post each day of prayers on here. Day one:
All of the info below comes from the prayer guide above…
The days of Navratri are actually the time for three major festivals – Navratri, Durga Puja, and Dusshera, each of which are celebrated with different customs and importance depending on the region. In North India, this time is marked by intense fasting during the nine days of Navratri. Western India celebrates with a special dance. In South India and Nepal, it is the day of Dusshera that is given the most importance. In the East, Durga Puja is the largest and wildest celebration of the year. All three festivals overlap in many ways.
For many people, particularly women, Navratri is the most important time of worship throughout the year.
The word Navratri means ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit – ‘nava’ meaning nine and ‘ratri’ meaning nights. During this time, nine different forms of the female divinity known as ‘Shakti’ (female power), ‘Devi’ (Goddess) or ‘Durga’ (name of a Goddess) are worshipped. During Navratri many people fast for the first and last day, the first eight days, or all nine days. Some sing devotional songs and perform rituals every morning and night in their home. Many families make a place for the goddess in their home and call her to stay there for the nine days. For many people, particularly women, Navratri is the most important time of worship throughout the year. Even those who do not perform daily ‘pujas’ (or rituals) may carefully observe fasts during Navratri. Many claim they have experienced the ‘shakti’, or power, of the goddess during this festival.
These nine days lead up to Dusshera (meaning literally ‘the tenth day’), which is an important time to worship the god Ram (a form of Vishnu). On Dusshera an image of the demon Ravan is built, filled with fireworks and set ablaze, in celebration of Ram’s victory over the demon and symbolizing the victory of good over evil. People also visit melas (fairs) or attend the Ram Lila (plays about Ram’s victory).
The last three days of Navratri are the intense days of Durga Puja. Large elaborate structures, called ‘pandals’, with ornate idols of the goddess Durga are set up all over the cities and villages for people to come for worship and special celebrations. On the tenth day the idols of Durga are carried away with wild processions to a nearby river for immersion. It is believed that Durga visited the earth during this time and the tenth day is her farewell celebration.
… this can also be an ideal time to share with
Hindus about the Kingdom of God and the love
Jesus has for them.
This is a time of celebration in Hindu culture but also a time of increased spiritual activity. This atmosphere often leads to more spiritual oppression and darkness for followers of Jesus, but can also be an ideal time to share with Hindus about the Kingdom of God and the love Jesus has for them. During these ten days of Navratri/Dusshera/Durga Puja, please join with others from around the world to pray for God’s heart for the Hindu world.
Sowing and Reaping Day 1
The first day of Navratri is one of the two most ‘auspicious’ days of the festival. On this day, the goddess Shailputri, which literally means ‘Daughter of the Mountains’, is worshipped. She is the first of the ‘Navadurga’ (Nine forms of Durga). She is the goddess of nature, rides on a bull, and carries a lotus flower. Some devotees sow seeds on this day, which sprout before the end of the festival and are used as offerings. A part of the home is dedicated to Durga and she is asked to come and dwell there throughout the festival.
These nine days lead up to Dusshera (meaning literally ‘the tenth day’), which is an important time to worship the god Ram (a form of Vishnu). On Dusshera an image of the demon Ravan is built, filled with fireworks and set ablaze, in celebration of Ram’s victory over the demon and symbolizing the victory of good over evil. People also visit melas (fairs) or attend the Ram Lila (plays about Ram’s victory).
The last three days of Navratri are the intense days of Durga Puja. Large elaborate structures, called ‘pandals’, with ornate idols of the goddess Durga are set up all over the cities and villages for people to come for worship and special celebrations. On the tenth day the idols of Durga are carried away with wild processions to a nearby river for immersion. It is believed that Durga visited the earth during this time and the tenth day is her farewell celebration.
… this can also be an ideal time to share with
Hindus about the Kingdom of God and the love
Jesus has for them.
This is a time of celebration in Hindu culture but also a time of increased spiritual activity. This atmosphere often leads to more spiritual oppression and darkness for followers of Jesus, but can also be an ideal time to share with Hindus about the Kingdom of God and the love Jesus has for them. During these ten days of Navratri/Dusshera/Durga Puja, please join with others from around the world to pray for God’s heart for the Hindu world.
Sowing and Reaping Day 1
The first day of Navratri is one of the two most ‘auspicious’ days of the festival. On this day, the goddess Shailputri, which literally means ‘Daughter of the Mountains’, is worshipped. She is the first of the ‘Navadurga’ (Nine forms of Durga). She is the goddess of nature, rides on a bull, and carries a lotus flower. Some devotees sow seeds on this day, which sprout before the end of the festival and are used as offerings. A part of the home is dedicated to Durga and she is asked to come and dwell there throughout the festival.