Navaratri should be a time of not only celebrating Goddess Durga’s triumph over the evil demon, but rather it should also be a time of praying to Goddess Durga to remove the evil from within us, not only the evil in the external world. We must pray to her to annihilate our inner enemies – our ego, our greed, our anger – just as she vanquished the evil demon. These traits inside us are just as powerful, just as insidious, and just as deadly as any of the asuras or Rakshasas.

On the first day of Navratri, we dedicate our prayers to Goddess Durga in her form as Shailaputri, the ‘Daughter of the Mountain.’ She is revered as the first manifestation of the goddess. We seek her blessings for peace and happiness in our lives.

As we embark on this spiritual journey, may our devotion and prayers reflect the light within, guiding us towards inner and outer harmony.”