Navaratri in Myanmar

When did the Navaratri in Myanmar start?

The first recorded date of Navaratri in Myanmar being celebrated on October 3 was in the year 1790.

About Navaratri in Myanmar Holiday

The people of Myanmar always welcome Navaratri, a much anticipated holiday that marks the start of the fall season. Just as the harvesting of the season's crops has come to a close, it is time to appreciate the earth's bounty and the good things in life.

Navaratri is celebrated with vigor and joy across Myanmar. The festival is traditionally marked with grand displays of color and flare, from fireworks to dances and ceremonies. The iconic decorated clay pot procession, featured in multiple cities across the country, sets the tone of the festival with its bright and creative displays of hospitality and good tidings.

For the nine days of Navaratri, Myanmar opens its arms to visitors to join in the celebration. It is a time of year when all can come together and revel in the joy of the season. Devotees come to offer their prayers to the gods as well as to enjoy some of the most spectacular traditions to be found in Myanmar. So come and experience the time of year that is truly magical for the people of Myanmar: Navaratri.

Navaratri in Myanmar: A Comprehensive Guide – History and Origin

Navaratri is one of the most significant festivals (or vratas) in the Hindu religion. Celebrated each year, it has its origin rooted in the ancient scriptures. It is said that this festival was first introduced in Hindu mythology in the Mahabharata era and became popular during the Vedic period.

Navaratri is derived from two Sanskrit words – nava, meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. This nine-day festival is celebrated in the first months of Aashiwayuja, or Sharad, that is the months of September and October in the Gregorian calendar.

It’s usually celebrated to recognize Goddess Durga, the representation of Shakti. But, the reason for its celebration could be different in different regions and communities. According the Hindu mythology, the festival of Navaratri symbolizes the fight between the good and the evil. It is believed that on the day of Amavasya (the day of the dark fortnight of both the months) the power of the universe is at its peak. Hindus start worshiping the Goddess for nine nights to extract her blessings and power.

Similar to Diwali, every region and state in India has its own traditions and customs associated with the festival, and so does the people of Myanmar. The high spirits and excitement leading up to the festival makes it one of the most celebrated festival in the country. People celebrate the occasion with great enthusiasm and warmth.

Significance and Meaning

Navaratri symbolizes the spiritual rejuvenation of the soul. In Hindu mythology, it marks the day when Devi Durga killed Mahishasura, the evil demon who roamed around and disturbed the peace. To commemorate the victory of truth over lies and justice over evil, Hindus celebrate Navaratri.

It is said that nine nights, nine forms and nine different styles of worshipping the Goddess are involved in the whole process. The nine forms of Mata Durga are Simabat – the one with a lion around her, Vaishno – the one with three eyes, Vaibhav Lakshmi – the one with four hands, Kaushiki – the one with a lot of power and energy, Chamunda – the one with fearsome looks, Skandamata – the one with Skanda in her lap, Katyayni – the one with a lot of weapons, Kalaratri – the one with cremation grounds around her, and Mahagauri – the one with a calm and peaceful aura.

The nine-day period of Navaratri is also referred to as the Durga Saptashati (seven hundred verses in praise of the Goddess). In simple words, it’s a period when Goddess Durga is worshipped in her many avatars and forms. People follow all the rituals and customs with fervour to shower blessings from the divine grace and bring harmony in their home.

Traditions and Celebrations

Navaratri is the most awaited festival in Myanmar. Celebration of this festival starts with cleaning the house and organizing special poojas (or homas) to welcome Devi Durga in her various forms. Women give sweets to Goddess Durga and offer fruit and flowers as prasad. Children draw designs (or Kolams) in front of their homes to welcome the Goddess.

The festival is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in Myanmar. Colourful decorations, lit up streets and houses make the atmosphere even more vibrant. People dress up in traditional attire and visit their friends and relatives to exchange gifts, sweets and flower garlands.

During the days of Navaratri, different art forms are also celebrated in the form of poojas, kathas (religious stories that talk about the birth and strength of the Goddess) and Ramlils. Music and dances are also performed in streets and public gatherings until late night.

Rangoli competition is organized in several temples and regions of Myanmar. Women from the community come together to compete in making beautiful patterns of Rangolis(small designs, usually using sand, stone powder and flowers). More importantly, people use these colourful decorations to seek blessings from the Goddess, who is representations of knowledge, power and prosperity.

One of the most peculiar rituals of the festival is that all the gods and goddess that are worshipped during Navaratri days are supposed to be venerated twice a day from sunrise to sundown. In some places of Myanmar, people also perform folk dances in the form of puppetry and theatre.

Geographical Spread

Navaratri is celebrated with great zeal and energy in all the regions of Yangon. Different areas may have different customs and traditions while celebrating this auspicious occasion.

The people of Shan situated at the east of Myanmar, celebrate this festival with more enthusiasm, especially the young people and children, for it is believed that on the day of Navratri all evil spirits disappear and Goddess Durga protects and blesses all.

In Mandalay, situated in the north-central part of the country, people light up their houses with beautiful earthen lamps (or diyas) and draw colorful makeshift deity installations in front of their homes, toUREJYMMLY welcome Devi Durga. People relish traditional sweets and dishes during the nine days of Navratri and take part in various activities like traditional singing and dancing, and music during night.

At the same time, in Myanmar, Kachin State- situated at the north of the country, mainly celebrates Navratri for three days like many other states in the northeast region of India, termed as ‘Porag’. Porag consists of unique Kachin traditional songs, dances, and story-telling. Kachin traditional dances mainly include the Jinghpaw, the Lwiyawng, and the Hanjyi dances. This three-day festival aims at bringing joy, harmony and peace among the people of Kachin.

Modern Day Observations

Navaratri today has become a fusion of the old customs and traditions and modern-day festivities. Different people in Myanmar now celebrate the festival in their own way. Ancient rituals are still being seen in some parts while Mormons have given it their own twist. Some people also believe in ancient customs and even opt for fasting for the whole nine days to please the Goddess and expand their blessings.

The number of devotees and participants has significantly increased in the last few years and people from all over the country organize and take part in fairs and stages for cultural events and performances like dramas, dances and songs. People in cities now mainly observe the festival in shopping malls and theme parks for carnivals, or through other big social gatherings.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

•Navaratri is mostly celebrated for two different purposes in India; one to worship Goddess Durga and the other to celebrate the season change from summers to winters.
•The different colors that one sees during the festival, like yellow, orange, green and blue, symbolize energy, joy, prosperity, and fertility.
•In some places, on the ninth day of Navaratri, also known as Ayudha Puja, people perform rituals to thank and honor things like tools, weapons, books and other work-related items.
•It is believed that women can be blessed with a son if they observe fasts during all nine days of Navratri.
•Navaratri is also associated with the Garba dance, a popular Gujarati traditional dance form.
•The Goddesses that are worshipped during the nine days are called NavaDurga, the nine forms of Goddess Shakti.
•Navaratri is a great celebration of the union of the female divine power and the masculine spiritual force, giving rise to a perfect harmony.

Holiday Wishes

1. Wishing you a blessed Navaratri with lots of peace, joy, and prosperity.
2. May Goddess Durga bring joy and happiness into your life and may all problems and obstacles vanish on this festive season.
3. Wishing you and your family a joyous Navratri, blessed with the divine energy of Goddess Durga.
4. On this auspicious occasion, may Goddess Durga enlighten your mind and soul and give you the strength to overcome all the difficulties of life.
5. May the divine power of Maa Durga bring joy and happiness to your life and your home.

Holiday Messages

1. May this Navaratri shower you with the strength and courage to fight all your battles and come out victorious.
2. May Goddess Durga protect you and your family and bring more success and prosperity in your life.
3. May this Navaratri give you all the blessings from the Goddess and enlighten your mind and heart with knowledge and wisdom.
4. May Maa Durga bless you and your family with health and wealth on this auspicious occasion.
5. May the bright lights of Navaratri brighten up your life and make it full of joy and prosperity.

Holiday Quotes

1. “Let us be thankful for the auspicious season of Navaratri and seek the blessings of the compassionate and loving mother Durga.”
-Unknown
2. “During those nine days of Navaratri, the spiritual awakening occurs within us, leading to a more fulfilled life.”
-A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
3. “The divine power of Maa Durga gives each of us the strength to fight against injustice, ignorance, and evils of society.”
–Unknown
4. “The celebration of Navaratri aims at unifying us so that we can come together, learn and spread the beauty of life.”
–Amit Ray
5. “Navaratri is the festival of inner transformation, the celebration of divinity and the victory of spiritual ascendancy over materiality.”
– Amit Ray

Other Popular Holiday Info

Navaratri is an important time for the people of Myanmar, not only for venerating the Goddess but for restoring faith in time-honoured customs. Devotees in the region, during this time of the year, take part in various religious activities like attending pujas and yagnas, organizing bhajans and kathas, or taking part in the Durga puja with great excitement.

It is also believed that the nine days of Navaratri cleanse our minds of the worldly desires and sadness and that it brings about a new flame of life and energy in us. People in Myanmar also believe that it is the best time to make a fresh start in many aspects of their life in order to find true happiness, peace, and spiritual bliss.

In conclusion, the festival of Navaratri is a beautiful way of paying tribute to the power of the divine Goddess. It is the festival of light, love, and joy that gives us hope and lets us experience the beauty of our culture and tradition in Myanmar. Not only that, it also gives a message of equality, unity, and harmony among the people. May Goddess Durga bless all with peace and joy on this occasion.