Navratra

Navratra (which means "9 nights")is a time when prayers are offered to "Mother Goddess". Hindus believe that the Mother stands for everything that is everywhere in the Universe. As Mother Durga, she sits on a Lion. Mother Durga gives us the power to eat, breathe, and walk. Mother Lakshmi gifts us all the wealth that we possess, and all the wonderful things that money can buy. Mother Saraswati, gifts us knowledge. So before studying and before you appear for your exams, do not forget to say: "Om Saraswati Namah".

During the 9 days of Navratra, people dance the Garba Dance. It symbolizes the Dance of Creation. It celebrates the Creation of the Universe. The word "Garba" stems from "Garbha" which means the "womb" and symbolizes the "Dance of Creation".

Whether we pray to Mother Goddess or not, She thinks of us all the time. She holds us in our arms when we feel sad, in the form of our own mother, or friend. Mother Lakshmi gives us various gifts from time to time. As Mother Saraswati, she teaches us all the wonderful things that we need to learn. And as Mother Kālī, She scolds us when we are naughty.

These days comes twice in a year and celebrated in different parts of India in different ways: one in the month of Chaitra and second one in Ashwin mas.

The nine different forms of Devi are worshiped over the nine days.Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain)

Brahmacharini

Chandraghanta

Kushmanda

Skanda Mata

Katyayani

Kalratri

Maha Gauri

Siddhidatri

2008 Stampede

During the 2008 festival at the temple in Jodhpur, India at least 168 persons were killed and over 400 were wounded as a consequence of a stampede following false rumors of a bomb threat. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/30/AR2008093000108.html?hpid=artslot]