Just like Durga Maa, women in India are powerful, courageous and incredible. Every woman is Shakti (energy), Bhakti (devotion) and Mukti (Liberation), and should be treated as such.
Durga Puja marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It epitomizes the victory of good over evil. Maa Durga is depicted as a warrior goddess, an epitome of pure love, courage, beauty, strength and knowledge.
I have known some wonderful women in my life who are no less than real-life goddesses. I would like to categorise these women as creators, protectors and nurturers in their families.
Charu Khatri (name changed) is a 35-year-old well-educated woman, an amazing wife and an incredible mother. A mother has been historically expected to sacrifice her entire life for her family. And this woman, whose career used to be her priority, had to leave her job for her son, who is suffering from Autism. Before marriage, she had worked as a software engineer for seven years in New Delhi. Now, after eight years of marriage, she is working hard to make her child live like other normal kids. She is an absolute form of motherhood, who can sacrifice anything for her child.
Kirti (name changed) is a local make-up artist in my neighbourhood. In her twenties, she fell in love with a guy and eloped with him. She had to leave her family for him. But all her dreams were crashed after the marriage. One day, I went to her home with my sister. We were shocked to find her husband beating her brutally.
She was begging for a divorce, and her husband was not ready to give her one. Today, she is a renowned make-up artist in my neighbourhood. She has a four years old daughter. She is even sending her daughter in one of the most reputed schools of my town. She has several health issues, yet she does her best to offer a meaningful life to her daughter.
Pooja Kapoor (name changed) effortlessly flaunts her smile wherever she goes. She got married into a very wealthy family. But everything changed after 15 years of marriage. She has an adopted daughter. Her husband had to leave his job due to mental health issues. Now, she is the sole breadwinner of her family. She is 48 and has multiple health issues like asthma, joint pain, etc. Yet, she cannot imagine leaving her job. She also takes full responsibility for all the household chores too. Even after all this, she is criticized by her husband and mother-in-law who say that she does nothing for her family.
Isn’t being a woman enough to prove the existence of Ma Shakti?
Navratri, also called Durga Puja particularly in West Bengal, is a nine-day long Hindu festival celebrated in almost every part of India. Celebrated twice a year, the first Navratri that falls inMarch or April is known as Chaitra Navratri.
The post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navratri is celebrated in honour of Devi Durga, a re-incarnation of Adi Shakti. The festival is celebrated in the month of Ashvin, which falls in September and October.