ॐ देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता।





नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥




"Om Devi Sarvabhuteshu Matruroopena Samsthita





Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah"



Salutations to the Divine Mother who dwells in all beings in the form of a mother.



Navratri, the festival celebrating the Divine Feminine, has been observed across India for centuries. For nine nights, devotees honor Goddess Durga in her multiple forms, seeking blessings for strength, wisdom, and prosperity. However, beneath the vibrant celebrations lies a history partially erased during British colonial rule. Many indigenous practices were suppressed, modified, or simplified, leaving gaps in the rich cultural tapestry of Navratri.



1. Goddess-Specific Local Worship Practices
Always associated with Gods Historically, Navratri varied widely across regions. Communities worshipped local goddesses with rituals unique to their culture and geography. Bengal’s Durga Puja included Sandhi Puja, performed at the junction of Ashtami and Navami to mark Mahishasura’s defeat. In western India, village shrines honored goddesses like Chamunda with seasonal processions and folk performances tied to agricultural cycles.






Bhakti emphasized inner connection over external ritual worship. The British, aiming for administrative uniformity, discouraged these localized practices, labeling them as “superstitious” or financially burdensome. Consequently, many village-specific deities and rituals were marginalized, reducing Navratri to more standardized temple or household worship. The rich regional diversity that once defined the festival was largely suppressed.



2. Fasting and Dietary Observances Beyond Vegetarianism
Bhakti emphasized inner connection over external ritual worship. Traditional Navratri fasting was highly structured, guided by scriptures like the Skanda Purana and regional texts. Different days had distinct dietary rules depending on the goddess worshipped, astrological conditions, and Ayurvedic principles. Some communities consumed fruit-only diets, others avoided grains or salt, and some used herbal preparations for purification and digestive health.



Colonial authorities and missionaries discouraged strict fasting, calling it unhealthy or irrational. They promoted simpler, European-style diets and sometimes pressured households to abandon nuanced observances. Today, fasting remains visible but largely uniform, with many of the original goddess-specific and health-oriented practices forgotten.



3. Rituals of Nature and Village-Based Shakti Worship
Navratri traditionally extended beyond homes and temples into forests, rivers, and fields, emphasizing a spiritual connection with nature. Goddesses like Aranyani, guardian of forests, were worshipped with offerings of flowers, grains, and songs in natural settings. Village communities organized processions, folk performances, and ecological rituals, aligning the festival with seasonal cycles and environmental awareness.





British colonial policies disrupted these outdoor celebrations. Forest rituals were banned or restricted under land revenue and forestry laws, and public gatherings were curtailed as “illegal assemblies.” This shift confined Navratri worship indoors, breaking the inherent link between Shakti devotion and the natural world. The ecological and community-centered dimensions of the festival were largely lost.



Reflections on What Was LostThe British erasure of these traditions affected more than ritual details. It altered community identities, spiritual practices, and ecological consciousness. Local deities, nuanced fasting rules, and nature-based worship carried philosophical, cultural, and practical wisdom. Suppressing them simplified the festival into a visually appealing but culturally flattened event.



Reviving these forgotten practices is a chance to reconnect with the multi-dimensional spirituality of Navratri. Recognizing regional rituals, dietary variations, and ecological observances can deepen devotion, celebrate diversity, and honor the Divine Mother in all aspects of life.



Navratri is not just nine nights of pujas and dance. It is a celebration of Shakti in every community, every ritual, and every element of nature. Remembering the traditions erased by history encourages a more conscious, inclusive, and spiritually rich celebration, honoring both the goddess and the wisdom she represents.