Navaratri: A Study Guide

What is Navaratri?

Navaratri, also spelled as Navratri, is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga. The word "Navaratri" is derived from the Sanskrit words "nava" meaning nine, and "ratri" meaning nights. It is celebrated for nine nights and ten days in the autumn every year.

Significance of Navaratri

Navaratri celebrates the victory of good over evil and is associated with various forms of the goddess Durga. It is a time for prayer, fasting, and dance performances. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to the worship of different forms of the goddess, and on the tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the victory of good over evil is celebrated.

Celebrations and Rituals

During Navaratri, people adorn their homes with colorful decorations and lights. They observe fasts, perform rituals, and participate in traditional dance forms such as Garba and Dandiya. In some parts of India, idols of the goddess Durga are immersed in water on the tenth day, symbolizing her departure.

Navaratri Study Guide

What is the significance of the word "Navaratri"?
How long does Navaratri last?
What is the main focus of Navaratri celebrations?
Which forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped during the nine nights of Navaratri?
What are some traditional dance forms associated with Navaratri?
How is the victory of good over evil celebrated on the tenth day of Navaratri?

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Eighth Grade. Phoenicia

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PAST AND ITS LEGACY.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Key historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures (e.g., the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the development of technology, the rise of modern nation-states, and the establishment and breakdown of colonial systems).

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Historical Thinking Standards

Historical Comprehension

Reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage.

World History Content Standards

Era 3: Classical Traditions, Major Religions, and Giant Empires, 1000 BCE-300 CE

The emergence of Aegean civilization and how interrelations developed among peoples of the eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, 600-200 BCE.

The student understands the development of the Persian (Achaemenid) empire and the consequences of its conflicts with the Greeks.

Major global trends from 1000 BCE-300 CE.

The student understands major global trends from 1000 BCE to 300 CE.