Friday 30 September 2016

Masturbation: Can You Get Too Much of a Good Thing?

Masturbation: Can You Get Too Much of a Good Thing?

   
Takeaway: Can you masturbate too much? The answer is both yes and no.


Source: Kornilovdream/Dreamstime.com

Ever heard of the saying, “Too much of a good thing?” It applies to ice cream, alcohol and a million other things. But does it also apply to one of the safest sexual activities around? Can you really masturbate too much?

It's a complicated question with a complicated answer. After all, self love is a very personal thing. One person's “Just right” is another person's “Give me more!” or “Whoa, back off, I'm overwhelmed.” So first, let's just get this out of the way: There's no magic number when it comes to masturbation, sexual encounters, or orgasms. Each and every person needs to figure out what's best for them, and what makes them feel good in a holistic sense. And, for the most part, masturbation makes people feel good. Great, even. That said, there are a few cases when it might pay to take a step back and evaluate why you're getting yourself off - and whether it's making you feel good.


Masturbation Myths - Busted!
Whether or not there's such a thing as too much masturbation, plenty of myths exist to make you think there is:
Masturbation doesn't make you blind or give you hairy palms. (Sure, most of us figured this out during high school, but I figured I should throw it out there.)Excessive masturbation does not cause erectile dysfunction. (Although what can happen - to men or women - is that you become so used to your own stimulation that you may find you have problems having an orgasm any other way.)Masturbation isn't just for single, lonely adultswith zero prospects of finding “The One” or even “The One Right Now.” Your masturbation habit, no matter how often you do it, doesn't mean you're desperate or a loser.

To put a finer point on it, masturbation isn't dangerous, dirty or any of the sex negative things you may have heard growing up. It's healthy and it's normal. That said, there are some instances when you can get too much of a good thing.


4 Signs Your Habits May Not Be Healthy
OK, so no hairy palms, sight deficiencies, or erectile dysfunction - masturbate away. There's nothing to fear, right? For most of us, whatever our number, we're probably fine. However, there are a few cases when you might need to reassess your habits. Even if you don't decide to cut back, you should think about what these signs mean for you, your sexual and emotional health, and the health of your relationships.


You can't stop thinking about it - or stop
When thoughts about anything, even masturbation, border on the obsessive and compulsive, it's not healthy. Loss of control over yourself points to a more serious issue that needs to be addressed.


You masturbate to the point of pain
No, I'm not referring to my fellow masochists or kinksters who do it because of the pain. Instead, if you masturbate so much you've caused chafing, irritation, or sensitivity that doesn't dissipate quickly, it might be time to cut back. This type of chafing can actually reduce the sensitivity of your genitals (temporarily), which can compound the problem.


Your relationships and job are affected
When you use anything - eating, shopping, masturbation - as a replacement for living your life, yes, you're probably doing too much of it. Masturbation is a lot of things. It's a way to relieve stress, a quick(er) path to an orgasm, and better than an Ambien. Yet, when the rest of your life is affected by your wanking habit, you may need to re-evaluate whether you're expressing yourself sexually - or using pleasure as an escape from things you should be dealing with.


You'd rather masturbate than be with your partner
If you prefer a little time with your hand over time with your partner, masturbation may not be the real issue here. Maybe it's an escape from dealing with the stress in your relationship. Maybe your partner no longer turns you on or gets you off. In that case, masturbation may not be the culprit, but a sign of a troubled relationship. Or, maybe there's nothing wrong in the relationship, and masturbation is the problem. Only you can decide that, but if you find masturbation preferable to intimacy with your partner, it's definitely a sign of something.

Like anything we love to do, it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Masturbation won't affect your health in a bad way, and in many cases, it's good for you. But when your jilling/jacking habit gets in the way of the people and other things you love to do or you feel out of control, you may be masturbating too much. Be Goldilocks. Find the amount of masturbation that's “just right” for you.

Health Benefits of Turmeric water

Health Benefits of Turmeric water:


Cardiovascular Benefits. Inclusion ofturmeric as a spice in a recipe can help regulate blood fat levels after a meal. ... The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of curcumin have been associated with improved regulation of blood pressure and decreased risk of several types of cardiovascular disease in animals.



๐Ÿ™ เค•ृเคชเคฏा เค‡เคธ เคชोเคธ्เคŸ เค•ो เคฆूเคธเคฐे เค—्เคฐुเคช เคฎें เคญेเคœें๐Ÿ™
          ๐ŸŒน เคœीเคตเคจ เคœीเคจे เค•ी เค•เคฒा๐ŸŒน

*เคชाเคจी เคฎें เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคฎिเคฒाเค•เคฐ เคชीเคจे เคธे เคนोเคคे เคนै เคฏเคน 7 เคซाเคฏเคฆें*.....
๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒน

1. เค—ुเคจเค—ुเคจा เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคตाเคฒा เคชाเคจी เคชीเคจे เคธे เคฆिเคฎाเค— เคคेเคœ เคนोเคคा เคนै. เคธुเคฌเคน เค•े เคธเคฎเคฏ เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•ा เค—ुเคจเค—ुเคจा เคชाเคจी เคชीเคจे เคธे เคฆिเคฎाเค— เคคेเคœ เค”เคฐ เค‰เคฐ्เคœाเคตाเคจ เคฌเคจเคคा เคนै.

2. เคฐोเคœ เคฏเคฆि เค†เคช เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•ा เคชाเคจी เคชीเคคे เคนैं เคคो เค‡เคธเคธे เค–ूเคจ เคฎें เคนोเคจे เคตाเคฒी เค—ंเคฆเค—ी เคธाเคซ เคนोเคคी เคนै เค”เคฐ เค–ूเคจ เคœเคฎเคคा เคญी เคจเคนीं เคนै. เคฏเคน เค–ूเคจ เคธाเคซ เค•เคฐเคคा เคนै เค”เคฐ เคฆिเคฒ เค•ो เคฌीเคฎाเคฐिเคฏों เคธे เคญी เคฌเคšाเคคा เคนै.
๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒน
3. เคฒीเคตเคฐ เค•ी เคธเคฎเคธ्เคฏा เคธे เคชเคฐेเคถाเคจ เคฒोเค—ों เค•े เคฒिเค เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•ा เคชाเคจी เค•िเคธी เค”เคทเคงि เคธे เค•เคฎ เคจเคนी เคนै. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•े เคชाเคจी เคฎें เคŸाॅเค•्เคธिเคธ เคฒीเคตเคฐ เค•े เคธेเคฒ्เคธ เค•ो เคซिเคฐ เคธे เค ीเค• เค•เคฐเคคा เคนै. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค”เคฐ เคชाเคจी เค•े เคฎिเคฒे เคนुเค เค—ुเคฃ เคฒीเคตเคฐ เค•ो เคธंเค•्เคฐเคฎเคฃ เคธे เคญी เคฌเคšाเคคे เคนैं.
๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒน
4. เคนाเคฐ्เคŸ เค•ी เคธเคฎเคธ्เคฏा เคธे เคชเคฐेเคถाเคจ เคฒोเค—ों เค•ो เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคตाเคฒा เคชाเคจी เคชीเคจा เคšाเคนिเค. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค–ूเคจ เค•ो เค—ाเฅा เคนोเคจे เคธे เคฌเคšाเคคी เคนै. เคœिเคธเคธे เคนเคฐ्เคŸ เค…เคŸैเค• เค•ी เคธंเคญाเคตเคจा เค•เคฎ เคนो เคœाเคคी เคนै.
๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒน
5. เคœเคฌ เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•े เคชाเคจी เคฎें เคถเคนเคฆ เค”เคฐ เคจींเคฌू เคฎिเคฒाเคฏा เคœाเคคा เคนै เคคเคฌ เคฏเคน เคถเคฐीเคฐ เค•े เค…ंเคฆเคฐ เคœเคฎे เคนुเค เคตिเคทैเคฒे เคชเคฆाเคฐ्เคฅों เค•ो เคจिเค•ाเคฒ เคฆेเคคा เคนै เคœिเคธเคธे เคชीเคจे เคธे เคถเคฐीเคฐ เคชเคฐ เคฌเฅเคคी เคนुเคˆ เค‰เคฎ्เคฐ เค•ा เค…เคธเคฐ เคจเคนीं เคชเฅœเคคा เคนै. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคฎें เคซ्เคฐी เคฐेเคกिเค•เคฒ्เคธ เคนोเคคे เคนैं เคœो เคธेเคนเคค เค”เคฐ เคธौเคฐ्เคฆเคฏ เค•ो เคฌเฅाเคคे เคนैं.
๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒน
6. เคถเคฐीเคฐ เคฎें เค•िเคธी เคญी เคคเคฐเคน เค•ी เคธเคœूเคจ เคนो เค”เคฐ เคตเคน เค•िเคธी เคฆเคตाเคˆ เคธे เคจा เค ीเค• เคนो เคฐเคนी เคนो เคคो เค†เคช เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคตाเคฒा เคชाเคจी เค•ा เคธेเคตเคจ เค•เคฐें. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคฎें เค•เคฐเค•्เคฏूเคฎिเคจ เคคเคค्เคต เคนोเคคा เคนै เคœो เคธूเคœเคจ เค”เคฐ เคœोเฅœों เคฎें เคนोเคจे เคตाเคฒे เค…เคธाเคนเคฏ เคฆเคฐ्เคฆ เค•ो เค ीเค• เค•เคฐ เคฆेเคคा เคนै. เคธूเคœเคจ เค•ी เค…เคšूเค• เคฆเคตा เคนै เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•ा เคชाเคจी.
๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒน
7. เค•ैंเคธเคฐ เค–เคค्เคฎ เค•เคฐเคคी เคนै เคนเคฒ्เคฆी. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เค•ैंเคธเคฐ เคธे เคฒเฅœเคคी เคนै เค”เคฐ เค‰เคธे เคฌเฅเคจे เคธे เคญी เคฐोเค• เคฆेเคคी เคนै. เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคंเคŸी.เค•ैंเคธเคฐ เคฏुเค•्เคค เคนोเคคी เคนै. เคฏเคฆि เค†เคช เคธเคช्เคคाเคน เคฎें เคคीเคจ เคฆिเคจ เคนเคฒ्เคฆी เคตाเคฒा เคชाเคจी เคชीเคเค—ें เคคो เค†เคชเค•ो เคญเคตिเคท्เคฏ เคฎें เค•ैंเคธเคฐ เคธे เคนเคฎेเคถा เคฌเคšे เคฐเคนेเค—ें.๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™

เคฒेเค–เค•:-
๐ŸŒนเคฏोเค—ीเคฐाเคœ เค…เคญिเคทेเค• เคฏोเค—ी (เค—ुเคฐु  เคœी )๐ŸŒน
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                  เคธंเคธ्เคฅाเคชเค•
  ๐ŸŒŽ เคกिเคตाเค‡เคจ เคตे เค‘เคซ เคฒाเค‡เคซ๐ŸŒŽเคธंเคธ्เคฅा
   www.divinewayoflife.org

1st October - International Day of Older Persons

 International Day of Older Persons:


The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year. On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as theInternational Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106. The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.

International Day of Older Persons
Seniors icon.png
Observed byAll UN Member States
DateOctober 1
Next time1 October 2016
Frequencyannual
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year.
On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106.[1] The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.[2]
The holiday is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
This holiday is similar to National Grandparents Day in the United States andCanada as well as Double Ninth Festival inChina and Respect for the Aged Day in Japan. The observance is a focus of ageingorganizations and the United Nations Programme on Ageing.

Annual ThemesEdit

  • 2011: The Growing Opportunities & Challenges of Global Ageing
  • 2012: Longevity: Shaping the Future
  • 2013: The future we want: what older persons are saying
  • 2014: Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All
  • 2015: Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment
  • 2016: Take A Stand Against Ageism

International Day of Older Persons 2016

1st October - Take a Stand Against Ageism

woman from zimbabwe smiling
Kate Holt / HelpAge International
The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the issues and challenges of ageing in today’s world.
The theme for 2016, Take a Stand Against Ageism, challenges everyone to consider ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age - and the detrimental impact it has on older people.
The World Health Assembly resolution related to the WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health, adopted in May 2016, calls on the Director-General to develop, in cooperation with other partners, a Global campaign to combat ageism and achieve the ultimate goal of enhancing the day-to-day experience of older people and to optimize policy responses.
Ageism is stereotyping and discrimination on the basis of a person’s age. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. This year, we challenge everyone to identify and question these internalized ageist attitudes, and to understand the serious impact that these attitudes have.
For older people, ageism is an everyday challenge. Overlooked for employment, restricted from social services and stereotyped in the media, ageism marginalizes and excludes older people in their communities.
Ageism is everywhere, yet it is the most socially “normalized” of any prejudice, and is not widely countered – like racism or sexism. It exists when the media portrays all old people as “frail” and “dependent”. It influences (subconsciously or actively) the policy maker to opt for cost containment in preference to making appropriate adaptations and investment in infrastructure and services for ageing societies These attitudes, pervasive yet invisible, lead to the marginalisation of older people within our communities and have negative impacts on their health and well-being.
Older people who feel they are a burden may also perceive their lives to be less valuable, putting them at risk of depression and social isolation. Research shows that older adults with negative attitudes about ageing may live 7.5 years less than those with positive attitudes.

Navratri Festivals - importance, rituals and related stories

Navratri 

"Navarathri" redirects here. For the Tamil film starring Sivaji Ganesan, see Navarathri (1964 film). For the Telugu film starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, see Navarathri (1966 film).
Navratri
Durga Puja DS.jpg
TypeHindu festival
Celebrations9 days
Observancesgarba ,golu,idol installation
BeginsAshvin Shukla Prathama
EndsAshvin Shukla Navami
DateUsually September–October. The date changes as per lunar calendar.
2015 date13 October, Tuesday −22 October, Thursday
2016 date2 October, Sunday - 11 October,Tuesday
Frequencyannual
Related toshakthism
Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The wordNavaratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskritnavameaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or "Dussehra" (also spelled Dasera). Navaratri is an important major festival and is celebrated all over India and Nepal. Diwali the festival of lights is celebrated twenty days after Dasera. Though there are in total five types of Navaratri that come in a year, SharadNavaratri is the most popular one. Hence, the term Navaratri is being used for Sharada Navaratri here.

SignificanceEdit

Women and men performing Garba as part of Navaratri celebrations inVadodara
Garba dance in Ahmedabad during navaratri festivities
Navratri garba at Ambaji temple
The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are considered to be important junctions of climatic and solar influences. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother Durga. The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. Each woman wears traditional three coloured dress during Navaratri.
Navaratri represents a celebration of the Goddess Amba, (the Power).
Navaratri or Navadurga Parva happens to be the most auspicious and unique period of devotional sadhanas and worship of Shakti (the sublime, ultimate, absolute creative energy) of the Divine conceptualized as the Mother Goddess-Durga.
A whole chapter in the tenth mandal of the Rigveda addresses the devotional sadhanas of Shakti. The "Devi Sukta" and "Isha Sukta" of the Rigveda and "Ratri Sukta" of the Samveda similarly sing paeans of praise of sadhanas of Shakti. In fact, before the beginning of the legendary war between the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata – a foundational Sanskrit epic in the Hindu tradition – Lord Krishna worshipped Durga, the Goddess of Shakti, for the victory of the Pandvas.
Lord Brahma is cited in the Markandey Purana as mentioning to Rishi Markandey that the first incarnation of Shakti was as Shailputri. Further incarnations of the Divine Mother are: BrahmachariniChandraghanta,KushmandaSkandamataKatyayani,KalaratriMahagauri and Siddhidatri in that order. These nine manifestations of Shakti, are worshipped as "Nava-Durga". The fifth chapter of the Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana also vividly describes the various Divine Emanations of Durga.
Since the Vedic Age of the Rishies, the devotional practices recommended during Navaratri are primarily those of Gayatri Anushthana.
In the Vedic Age of the Indian Culture, the religious philosophy and devotional practices were focused towards true knowledge and ultimate realization of the supreme power of Gayatri (Bram Shakti). The Hindu Vedas were the basis of all streams of spirituality and science those days. Gayatri has been the source of the divine powers of the gods and goddesses in the heavens and their angelic manifestations and incarnations. Gayatri sadhana was also paramount in the higher level spiritual endeavors of the yogis and tapaswis. Gayatri Mantra was the core-focus of daily practice of sandhya-vandan (meditation and devotional worship) for everyone. As guided by the rishis, specific sadhanas and upasanas of the Gayatri Mantra were sincerely practiced during the festival period of Navaratri by every aspirant of spiritual enlightenment.This is mostly celebrated in ashoj or karthik.

CelebrationsEdit

Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin. The festival is celebrated for nine nights once every year during the beginning of October, although as the dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar, the festival may be held for a day more or a day less.
Navratri DayDayForm of GoddessTithiPujanColour
Navratri Day 1PratipadaShailaputri MaaGhatasthapanaShailputri PujanRed
Navratri Day 2DwitiyaBrahmachariniChandra DarshanBrahmacharini PujanRoyal Blue
Navratri Day 3TritiyaChandraghantaSindoor Tritiya, Sowbhagya TeejChandraghanta PujanYellow
Navratri Day 4ChaturthiKushmandaVarad Vinayaka ChauthBhouma ChaturthiGreen
Navratri Day 5PanchamiSkandamataLalita PanchamiUpang Lalita Vrat, Lalitha Gauri Vrat, Skandamata PujanGray
Navratri Day 6ShashthiKatyayaniMaha ShashtiSaraswati Awahan, Katyayani PujanOrange
Navratri Day 7SaptamiKaalratriMaha SaptamiSaraswati Puja, Kalaratri Pujan, Utsava PujaWhite
Navratri Day 8AshtamiMaha GauriDurga Ashtami, Maha AshtamiSaraswati Mata Pujan, Mahagauri Pujan, Sandhi PujaPink
Navratri Day 9NavamiSiddhidatriKhande Navami, Durga Visarjan, Maha NavamiAyudha Puja, Kanya pujaSky Blue

Traditions of NavaratriEdit

Durga Puja at Bagbazar Sarbajanin, North Kolkata.
Navaratri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta NavaratriAshadha Navaratri, theSharad Navaratri, the Paush/Magha Navaratriand the Magha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharad Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are the most important. The other two are observed by shaktas only.
  1. Vasanta Navaratri: Vasanta Navaratri, it's nine days are dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month ofChaitra (March–April) and is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Chaitra. The beginning of this Navaratri also marks the start of the new year as per the Hindu mythological lunar calendar (Vikrami Samvat).
  2. Ashad Navaratri  : Ashad Navaratri, also referred to as Gupta, Gayatri or Shakambhari Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadha (June–July). It is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon). This is mostly observed byshaktas only
  3. Sharad Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navaratris. It is simply calledMaha Navaratri (the Great Navaratri) and is celebrated in the 'pratipada' (first day) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. Also known as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of winter, September–October).
  4. Pausha Navaratri: Paush Navaratri is observed during the Pausha Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of moon, in the month of December–January.
  5. Magha Navaratri: The Magha Navaratri is also a kind of Gupta Navaratri. The waxing phase of moon in January–February marks the beginning of Magha Navaratri.

Vasanta NavaratriEdit

Navaratri Golu, dolls and figurine display festival for girls and women inSouth India
Devi Shakthi at Parashakthi Temple, Pontiac, USA adorned as Goddesses Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswathi during Navarathri
This is celebrated during Vasanta Rhitu (beginning of spring) (March – April). This is also known as Chaitra navarathri as it falls during the lunar month of Chaitra.

The Story of Vasanta NavaratriEdit

In days long gone by, King Dooshibago was killed by a lion when he went out hunting. Preparations were made to crown the prince Sudarsana. But, King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father of Queen Lilavati, and King Virasena of Kalinga, the father of Queen Manorama, were each desirous of securing the Kosala throne for their respective grandsons. They fought with each other. King Virasena was killed in the battle. Manorama fled to the forest with Prince Sudarsana and a eunuch. They took refuge in the hermitage of Rishi Bharadwaja.
The victor, King Yudhajit, thereupon crowned his grandson, Satrujit, at Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala. He then went out in search of Manorama and her son. The Rishi said that he would not give up those who had sought protection under him. Yudhajit became furious. He wanted to attack the Rishi. But, his minister told him about the truth of the Rishi's statement. Yudhajit returned to his capital.
Fortune smiled on Prince Sudarsana. A hermit's son came one day and called theeunuch by his Sanskrit name Kleeba. The prince caught the first syllable Kli and began to pronounce it as Kleem. This syllable happened to be a powerful, sacred Mantra. It is the Bija Akshara (root syllable) of the Divine Mother. The Prince obtained peace of mind and the Grace of the Divine Mother by the repeated utterance of this syllable. Devi appeared to him, blessed him and granted him divine weapons and an inexhaustible quiver.
The emissaries of the king of Benares passed through the Ashram of the Rishi and, when they saw the noble prince Sudarsana, they recommended him to Princess Sashikala, the daughter of the king of Benares.
The ceremony at which the princess was to choose her spouse was arranged. Sashikala at once chose Sudarsana. They were duly wedded. King Yudhajit, who had been present at the function, began to fight with the king of Benares. Devis helped Sudarsana and his father-in-law. Yudhajit mocked Her, upon which Devi promptly reduced Yudhajit and his army to ashes.
Thus Sudarsana, with his wife and his father-in-law, praised Devi. She was highly pleased and ordered them to worship her with havanand other means during the Vasanta Navarathri. Then she disappeared.
Prince Sudarsana and Sashikala returned to the Ashram of Rishi Bharadwaja. The great Rishi blessed them and crowned Sudarsana as the king of Kosala. Sudarsana and Sashikala and the king of Benares implicitly carried out the commands of the Divine Mother and performed worship in a splendid manner during the Vasanta Navarathri.
Sudarsana's descendants Sri Rama andLakshmana also performed worship of Devi during the Sharad Navarathri and were blessed with Her assistance in the recovery of Sita.
According to the Krittibas Ramayana, Rama invoked the goddess Durga in his epic battle against Ravana. Although Goddess Durga was traditionally worshipped in the late spring, due to contingencies of battle, Lord Rama had to invoke her in the form of astam (eighth) Mahavidya (Maa Bagla) in the autumn and thus is known as akaal bodhan(invoking out of scheduled time). This autumnal ritual was different from the conventional Durga Puja, which is usually celebrated in the springtime. So, this Puja is also known as 'akal-bodhan' or out-of-season ('akal') worship ('bodhan'). This Rama's date for the Navaratri puja has now gained ascendancy and culminates with Dusherra in North India on the following day.

Shardiya NavaratriEdit

Shardiya Navaratri is the most popular and significant Navaratri of all Navaratris. That's why Shardiya Navaratri is also known as Maha Navaratri.
It falls in lunar month Ashwin during Sharad Ritu. The name Shardiya Navaratri has been taken from Sharad Ritu. All nine days during Navaratri are dedicated to nine forms ofGoddess Shakti. Shardiya Navaratri falls in the month of September or October. The nine days festivity culminates on tenth day with Dussehra or Vijayadashami.

Forms of ShaktiEdit

Main article: Navadurga
Nine forms of Shakti are worshipped during the Navaratris. The Devis worshipped depend on the tradition of the region.

RitualsEdit

A photo of the Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, scion of the Wodeyar dynasty
Late Srikanta Datta Wadiyar, Former Maharaja of Mysore inaugurating first day ofMysore Dasara
The Sharad Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. The festival is celebrated for nine nights once every year during the beginning of October, although as the dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar, the festival may be hteld for a day more or a day less.
Navaratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. In North India, all three Navaratris are celebrated with much fervor by fasting on all nine days and worshiping the Mother Goddess in her different forms. The Chaitra Navaratri culminates in Ram Navamiand the Sharad Navaratri culminates in Durga Puja and Dussehra. The Dussehra of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is particularly famous in the North. Navaratri festival in Gujarat is one of the main festivals. Garba is a dance which people perform on all nine nights, after the Durga Pooja, in groups accompanied by live orchestra or devotional songs.
The last four days of Sharad Navaratri take on a particularly dramatic form in the state ofWest Bengal in eastern India where they are celebrated as Durga Puja. This is the biggest festival of the year in this state. Exquisitely crafted and decorated life-size clay idols of the Goddess Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura are set up in temples and other places. These idols are then worshiped for five days and immersed in the river on the fifth day.
In the Punjab, Navaratri is known as Navratras or Naratey where the first seven days are for fasting. On the eighth day or Ashtami, devotees break their fasts by calling young girls home and these girls are treated as the goddess herself. They are called "Kanjak Devis". People ceremonially wash their feet, worship them and then offer food to the "girl-goddesses" giving them the traditional puri, halwa and chana to eat along with bangles and the red chunnis (scarves) to wear with a token amount of money as "shagun". The ninth day is then called Navami which means literally the ninth day of this holy and pious period.
Another prevalent practice is of sowing pulses, cereals and other seeds on the first day of this festival in a pot which is watered for nine days at the end of which the seeds sprout. This pot is worshipped throughout the nine days. This custom is also indicative of fertility worship and is known as "Khetri". The barley grains planted on the first day of Navaratras, in the puja room of the house, are submerged in water after saying prayers on Dussehra. The sowing and reaping of barley is symbolic of the "first fruit".
In Western India, particularly in the state ofGujarat and Mumbai, Navaratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya Raasdance. Since the past few years, the Government of Gujarat has been organising the "Navaratri Festival Celebrations" on a regular basis for the nine days of Navaratri Festival in Gujarat. People from all over Gujarat and even abroad come to participate in the nine-day celebration. It is also popular throughout India and among Indian communities around the world including the UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore and USA.
In the temples of Goa,on the first day of the seventh month of the Hindu calendar Ashwin, in temples(and some hous)eholds, a copper pitcher is installed surrounded by clay in which nine varieties of food grains are sown inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. All the nine nights are celebrated by presenting devotional songs, and through religious discourses. Later in the night the idol of the goddess is put in a specially-decorated colourful swing,known as Makharin Konkani and for nine nights, this swing is being swung to the tune of temple music (called as ranavadya) by devotees who throng in large numbers to participate in the festival.This spectacular ritual accompanied by an orchestra of musical instrument and waving of lamps is called Makharotsav.
Makharotsav in a Goan temple during Navaratri
In Maharashtra, on the first day of month of Ashwin, Ghatasthapana is celebrated. An earthen pot is filled with water surrounded by clay in which foodgrains are sown and are allowed to sprout for nine days. Five stems of jowar are also placed over the pot. This arrangement is called the "Ghat". The ladies worship the pot for nine days by offering rituals and a garland of flowers, leaves, fruits, dry-fruits, etc. with a naivedya, and water is offered in order to get the seeds sprouted. Some families also celebrate Kaali pujan on days 1 and 2, Laxmi pujan on days 3, 4, 5 and Saraswati pujan on days 6, 7, 8, 9 along with Ghatasthapana. On the eighth day, a "Yajna" or "Hom" is performed in the name of Goddess Durga. On ninth day, the Ghat pujan is done and the Ghat is dissolved after taking off the sprouted leaves of the grains. In many families, a woman from Matang community is called and offered food and blessings are sought from her. She is considered as a form of the Goddess "Matangi". This process is called "เคชाเคค्เคฐं เคญเคฐเคฃे" in Marathi. On the occasion of Dasara or Vijayadashmi, the men go to the forest or farm and bring the leaves of the tree Apta. They worship iron in the form of utensils, weapons, etc. The iron equipments are washed and offered leaves of Apta called gold or "sona" and also leaves of the grains which were sprouted. On this day, a process called Vidyarambhan meaning beginning of learning takes place when small children are to write first alphabet.
In Tamil Nadu, people set up steps and place idols on them. This is known as golu. Photos of typical golu displayed in Tamil Nadu stylecan be found here.In the evening women in neighborhood invite each other to visit their homes to view Kolu displays, they exchange gifts and sweets. Kuthuvilakku lamp is lit, in the middle of a decorated Rangoli, devotional hymns and shlokas are chanted. After performing the puja, the food items that have been prepared are offered to the Goddess and then to the guests.On the 9th day Saraswati Puja, special pujas are offered to Goddess Saraswati, the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja and worshipped as a source of knowledge Ayudha Pooja, the worship of vehicles and instruments is the most important festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu on Navami day .Almost all mechanic shops, heavy industries celebrate ayudha Pooja to thank their instruments On this day one can see autos decorated with banana leaves and pumpkins broken.The 10th day, Vijayadasami – is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids often start tutoring on this day to have a head start in their education.
In the evening of "Vijayadasami", any one doll from the "Kolu" is symbolically put to sleep and the Kalasa is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year's Navaratri Kolu. Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's Kolu and with a hope of a successful one the next year. Then the Kolu is dismantled and packed up for the next year.
In temples of Tamil Nadu, navaratri is celebrated for the Devi's dwelling in each temples, The utsava murthy is decorated and vedic offerings are performed, Following by Chandi homa. Popular Tamil Nadu temples celebrating navaratri are Madurai madurai meenakshi temple, Chennai kapaleeswarar temple, Kulasekarapattinam devi temple, Perambur Ellaiamman temple, Srirangam Ranganathan temple.
In Karnataka, Ayudha Puja, the ninth day ofMysore Dasara, is celebrated with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles, or kitchen tools. The effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses in daily life is central to this celebration, so it includes all tools that help one earn one's livelihood. Knowledge workers go for books, pen or computers, farmers go for the plough and other agricultural tools, machinery for industrialists and cars/buses/trucks for the transportation workers—all are decorated with flowers and worshiped on this day invoking God's blessing for success in coming years. It is believed that any new venture such as starting of business or purchasing of new household items on this day is bound to bring success and prosperity.
Mysore is well known for the festivities that take place during the period of Dasara, the state festival of Karnataka. The Dasarafestivities, which are celebrated over a ten-day period, it made official festival of the state by King Raja Wodeyar I in 1610. On the ninth day of Dasara, called Mahanavami, the royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession of decorated elephants, camels and horses. On the tenth day, calledVijayadashami, the traditional Dasaraprocession (locally known as Jumboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore. An image of the Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed on a golden howdah on the back of a decorated elephant and taken on a procession, accompanied by tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels. The procession starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantapa, where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. TheDasara festivities culminate on the night ofVijayadashami with a torchlight parade, known locally as Panjina Kavayatthu.
In Kerala and in some parts of Karnataka three days: Ashtami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami of Sharad Navarathri are celebrated as Sarasvati Puja in which books are worshiped. The books are placed for Puja on the Ashtami day in own houses, traditional nursery schools, or in temples. On Vijaya Dashami day, the books are ceremoniously taken out for reading and writing after worshiping Sarasvati. Vijaya Dashami day is considered auspicious for initiating the children into writing and reading, which is called Vidyarambham. Tens of thousands of children are initiated into the world of letters on this day in Kerala.
In Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, people celebrate Bathukamma festival over a period of nine days. It is a kind of navaratri celebration.
Here Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects (Tridevi) of the supreme goddess or goddesses.
Effigy of Ravana being burnt
First three days: The goddess is separated a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in order to destroy all our evil and grant boons.
Second three days: The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.
Last three days:
Effigy of Ravana being burnt
See also: Kanya Puja
The final set of three days is spent in worshiping the goddess of wisdom,Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.
Eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami which is big in Bengal and Bihar.
In some parts of South India, Saraswati puja is performed on the 9th day. Ayudha Puja is conducted in many parts of South India on the Mahanavami (Ninth) day with much fanfare. Weapons, agricultural implements, all kinds of tools, equipments, machinery and automobiles are decorated and worshipped on this day along with the worship of Goddess. The work starts afresh from the next day, i.e. the 10th day which is celebrated as 'Vijaya Dashami'. Many teachers/Schools in south India start teaching Kindergarten children from that day onwards.
In North India, as the culmination of theRamlila which is enacted ceremoniously during Dussehra, the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada are burnt to celebrate the victory of good (Rama) over evil forces on the 'Vijaya Dashami' day.
During Navaratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the protection of health and prosperity. Devotees avoid meat, alcoholic drinks, grains, wheat and onion during this fast. Grains are usually avoided since it is believed that during the period of Navaratri and seasonal change, grains attract and absorb lots of negative energies from the surrounding and therefore there is a need to avoid eating anything which are produced from grains for the purification of Navaratri to be successful. Navaratri is also a period of introspection and purification, and is traditionally an auspicious and religious time for starting new ventures.
During this vowed religious observance, a pot is installed (ghatasthapana) at a sanctified place at home. A lamp is kept lit in the pot for nine days. The pot symbolises the universe. The uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which we worship the effulgent Adishakti, i.e. Sree Durgadevi. During Navaratri, the principle of Sree Durgadevi is more active in the atmosphere.
Navaratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities. The mother goddess is said to appear in 9 forms, and each one is worshiped for a day. These nine forms signify various traits that the goddess influences us with. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.
During the eight or ninth day, Kanya Puja, pre-pubescent girls are ceremonially worshipped.

Animal SacrificeEdit

Animals are sacrificed during Sharad Navratri in many parts of India, mainly at temples of Goddesses such as Bhavani or Kali.
A book published 1871 by Pratรกpachandra Ghosha gives full description of the rituals involved in animal sacrifice during Durga Puja
A male buffalo calf about to be sacrificed by a priest in the Durga Puja festival.
The Rajput of Rajasthan offer a sacrifice of goat to their family Goddess ( Kuldevta) during the festival of Navaratri. Previously , it had been buffalo but the goat is considered a cheaper alternative in recent times The ritual requires slaying of the animal with a single stroke. In the past this ritual was considered a rite of passage for young men. The ritual is directed by a Brahmin priest. Many erstwhile Royal families from different parts India also offer animal sacrifice to the Goddess during Sharad Navratri.
Animal sacrifice is practiced in some Eastern states of India and Nepal during Navratri., The Hindu temples in Assamand West Bengal in India and Nepal where this takes place involves slaying of goats,chickens and sometimes male Water buffalos.,. A number Tantric Puranas specify the ritual for how the animal should be slayed. In Bengal, a priest recites the Gayatri Mantra in the ear of animal to be sacrificed, in order to free the animal from the cycle of life and death. In Orissa, animal sacrifice is offered to Durga in the form of Chandi during Durga Puja, .
At the Jagannath temple in Puri, Orissa, Ramsare sacrificed to the Goddess Bimla during the eighth and ninth day of the autumn festival.
The tradition of animal sacrifice is being substituted with vegetarian offerings to the Goddess in temples and households aroundBanaras in Northern India