There is a number of festivals celebrated at Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. Navratras, Mahashivaratri, Janmashtami, Diwali and Tara Jayanti are the very popular festivals celebrated among all celebrations at the temple.
Here is the list and description of the festivals celebrated at Naina Devi Temple…
Navratras
Navratri denotes a 9-day & night festival and gives opportunity to worship Divine Goddess. Each day of Navratri is celebrated in honor of Nine Goddesses. Different forms of Goddess Durga are as following:
- Shailputri
- Brahmacharini
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandamata
- Katyayni
- Kaalratri
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidatri
Mela Ashwin Navratri- October 5, 2013 to October 13, 2013.
Makar Sakranti
Makar Sakranti is celebrated in almost all states of the country in different cultural forms. People take dips in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag to get blessings of Lord Sun. Makar Sakranti is celebrated as Pongal is South India, Maghi in Punjab Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam.
Vasant Panchami
Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Vasant Panchami spreads yellow color all around. Goddess is dress in yellow and worshipped with Puja and Yajna. People wear yellow clothes and share yellow hue sweets with their friends & relatives.
Maha Shivratri
Also known as Great Night of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Some people fast on this day while others celebrate it by reciting Shlokas and singing bhajans. The celebrations and worship continue till late night when devotees offer fruits, coconut, Ganga Jal and Bilva leaves to Lord and Goddess.
Holi
The festival of Holi is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends, the demon Hiranyakaship wanted to kill his son Prahlada because he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, the demon made a plan with his sister Holika to kill the son. Holika tried to kill Prahlada and sat with him in fire. She died in fire and Prahlada rescued.
Ram Navami
This festival celebrates the birth of Seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu; Shri Rama who was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Shri Ramchandra killed the evil king Ravana.
Raksha Bandhan
The festival of Raksha Bandhan denotes and further strengthens the bond of brother and sister. Still celebrated in a traditional manner, sister ties Rakhi on wrist of her brother and expresses her love. In return, brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts.
Shri Krishna Janamashtami
Also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnaashtami, this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Krishna.
Ganesh Chaturthi
This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular Hindu Gods and a symbol of good luck. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoo and milk to the Lord.
Dussehra
Also known as Vijaya Dashmi, Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory of Shri Rama over Ravana in Satya Yug. Demon Mahishasura was also defeated by Goddess Durga on the same day.
Karva Chauth Vrat
On Karva Chauth, married ladies observe a rigorous fast without meal and water so as to pray for long lives of their husbands. Nowadays, young girls also observe this fast to get good life-partner.
Diwali
Diwali or Deepawali signifies the return of Lord Rama after 14-years of exile from Ayodhaya. The night of Deepavali is celebrated by lights and fireworks.
New Year Eve
Every year, the New Year Eve is celebrated with great zeal in the temple. The entire Temple complex is decorated combined with special Pooja of Shri Naina Devi Ji.
Tara Ratri
The festival is also known as Shri Maha Tara Jayanti or Das Mahavidya Jayanti. There are a total of 10 jayantis of Shri Mata Ji, which are celebrated round the year.