NAVARATRI: WHEN DEVI COMES HOME

Category Philosophy & Religion
Format Paperback
Imprint Rupa
Price 295

ISBN: 978-93-5520-045-7
Pages: 264 pages
Date: 10th October 2021

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Like most festivals, Navaratri is also an institutionalized way of nurturing your inner creativity.
Devi is always with us. Devi is always inside us. Every year, there are occasions when we celebrate her presence a little more, specially worship her and become a bit more conscious of her presence inside us, and everywhere around us. Navaratri, the nine nights with Devi, is an example. Chaitra and Sharada Navaratris are special occasions when Bharata, with all its diversity, celebrates Devi’s manifestations. Rituals and rites are localized, customs are based on historical legacies and culture, but the template of worship is universal throughout India, and even outside it.
Navaratri: When Devi Comes Home documents this diversity in tradition, each specific to one particular part of the country. But, taken together, they resonate with the theme–ya devi sarva-pradesheshu puja-rupena samsthita.
Just like diverse manifestations of the Adi Shakti—the eternal Goddess—which Devi is worshipped as, the expression of the celebration changes as you move around the country.

AUTHOR OF THE BOOK

BIBEK DEBROY is an economist, with an interest in Sanskrit and Indology. He has published unabridged translations (in English) of The Mahabharata, Hari Vamsha, Bhagavad Gita, Valmiki Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, Markandeya Purana and Brahma Purana. His other books include The Bhagavad Gita for Millennials, Manmatha Nath Dutt: Translator Extraordinaire and On the Trail of the Black.

ANURADHA GOYAL studies the intersection of her three prime interests—business innovation, travel and Indic knowledge—by writing about them in books, blogs and columns. She is the founder of IndiTales, a leading bilingual travel media portal where she documents her global travels in words, audio and video formats with a focus on ancient India. She is also the author of Lotus in the Stone: Sacred Journeys in Eternal India (2020), Unusual Temples of India (2020) and The Mouse Charmers: Digital Pioneers of India (2014), and the translator of Ayodhya Mahatmya (2021) from Skanda Purana.