Navratri is observed for nine nights. This is based on the Devi Mahatmya scripture. As per Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavatam, Goddess Durga fought for nine days and nine nights against Demon Mahishasura. This battle happened from Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi to Ashwin Krishna Paksha Navami Tithi – from the first day of the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month to the ninth day of waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month. During the course of the battle, Mother Goddess took several ferocious forms to annihilate innumerable powerful demons. She annihilated all the demons and finally on the ninth night she killed Demon Mahishasura. There is another belief that the nine days and nine nights of fighting happened during first nine days of Chaitra month. Bhagava Sri Ram invoked Goddess Durga for success in battle against Ravana in Ashwin month and then onwards the nine days began to be celebrated in Ashwin month. 

Navratri is nine nights dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti in Hindu Religion and in 2023 it will be observed from October 15, 2023 to October 23, 2023. Navratri means nine nights. The most popular Navratri is the one held during Ashwin Month (September – October). But there are also three other Navratri(s) in a Hindu calendar year. The most famous among this is the Chaitra Navratri (March – April). The other two Navratri(s) are Magh Navratri and Ashada Navratri. A popular belief is that the Navratri during Ashwin month (September – October) was started by Sri Ram when he invoked Goddess Durga before going into battle with Ravana. Originally, Mother Goddess was invoked during the Chaitra Month (March – April) Navratri is also written as Navratras, Navaratri and Navarathri. The reason for observing Navratri is found in the Markandeya Purana. The chapters 81 to 93 in the Markandeya Purana talks about the slaying of demon Mahishasura or Mahisha by Durga and it is

Renuka Devi Temple at Mahur in Nanded in Maharashtra is one of the important temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The nine-day Navratri festival at Mahur Renuka Devi Temple attracts thousands of devotees. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Renuka Devi, mother of Lord Parashurama. In 2023, the Navratri Festival at Mahur Renuka Devi Temple begins on October 15 and ends on October 23. At Mahur Temple , the Murti worshipped is the head of Goddess Renuka Devi. The nine-day Navaratri festival at the temple is famous for its unique rituals. Thousands of people arrive to celebrate Navratri at the abode of Renuka Devi. The nearest railway station to Mahur Renuka Devi Temple is Kinwat which is 50 KM away, but Nanded Railway Station which is 126 KM is the more convenient railway station on South Central railway. By Road - Mumbai - Ahmednagar - Paithan - Jalan - Washim - Pusad – Mahur. The temple is around 717 km from Mumbai.

Swami Viditatmananda Saraswati gives his thoughts on the permanent and the transient In life, the permanent and the impermanent are mixed up with each other. It is not that the permanent is in one place and the impermanent in another, and they can be distinguished easily. The Katha Upanishad says: Shreyas and preyas approach the human being. Having very clearly considered them, the discriminative (person) distinguishes them. ( 1-2-2 ) Sculpture at Halebidu Karnataka In life, we constantly come across Shreyas and Preyas. Shreyas means that which is permanent and lasting and preyas is that which is impermanent and ephemeral. Shreyas is happiness of the Self or internal happiness, and preyas is happiness derived from sense objects or external happiness. It requires a certain sensitivity to appreciate lasting happiness as opposed to the impermanent, ephemeral happiness in the objects and achievements of the world. This viveka arises in a heart that has become rela

Swami Hariharananda Aranya answers the perplexing question of how to realize self? Beginners who find it easier to practice with a God having a figure should imagine a luminous figure of God inside their hearts. As a liberated person is calm in mind and is blissful in face on account of his highest attainment, so should the contemplated holy figure in one’s heart be imagined to be, and it should be contemplated that one is fully associated with that figure. In repeating the mystic syllable OM, one should think oneself to be within the emblem — calm, restful and felicitous. Jambukeswarar Temple in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) district, Tamil Nadu. When after some practice the mind of the devotee becomes somewhat calm and carefree and he is able to rest in a feeling of godliness, then a transparent white limitless luminous sky should be imagined by him within his heart. Then knowing that the omnipresent God is pervading that space, the devotee should contemplate that his I-sense,