Hindus will perform puja as they observe Navratri.
Hindus are getting ready for the holy period of Navratri, preparing themselves through worship and devotion.
Navratri which is a nine-day observance begins on Monday (March 31) and will continue until April 8.
Known as Chaitra Navratri this period starts on the first day of Chaitra (March April) month and ends on Rama Navami (the birth of Lord Rama) which is the ninth day of the month.
Starting on Monday, all-day services will take place at temples throughout the country, with devotees making offerings throughout the day. For those wanting to worship the Maha Sabha El Dorado Shiv Mandir and the Edinburgh Hindu Temple are opened throughout the day as well as the Param Dhaam Mandir in Latchoos Road as well as the Shiv Mandir in Doorbasa Trace are open all day as well.
Navratri is one of the most prominent festivals of Hinduism. The first three nights are dedicated to the goddess of action and energy, Durga. Her different manifestations of Kumari, Parvati and Kali are worshipped during these days. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for the next three days in her various aspects as the goddesses of peace, plenty and bliss. Fulfillment is more important than wealth itself. As the goddess of wealth, Goddess Lakshmi bestows wealth, success and fame and fortune to her worshippers and devotees. On Lalita Panchami (the fifth day), children gather all the books in the house before a sacred lamp and invoke the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. It is also the occasion for all artisans to lay down their tools before the goddess and seek her benediction upon their trade. Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge.
The religious Navratri festival revolves around the three aspects of Goddess Shakti which are worshiped, with first three days devoted to Goddess Durga, followed by fourth, fifth and sixth days devoted to Goddess Lakshmi and last three days for Goddess Saraswati.
The devotees observe fasting for seven to eight days, and break their fast on the eighth day (Ashtami) or ninth day (Navami) of the festival, by carrying out “Kanya Pujan” or “Kanchika Pujan”. This involves worshipping and seeking blessings of nine young girls, representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
During fasting, only fruits, milk, potato and other root vegetables should be eaten. Devotees are involved in chanting of mantras (Hindi words), and (bhajans) related to the Goddesses.