From Navaratri through Diwali: Illuminating Faith and Advocacy Through Dharma
- authored by Aradhya Someshwar
Celebrating our festivals, whether to honor the Divine Feminine or to mark Ram Lalla’s homecoming, is as much an act of devotion as it is advocacy for our faith
With Navaratri over and Diwali approaching, I find myself not only reflecting on the spiritual meaning of these festivals but also on the deeper responsibility I carry as a Hindu. My ancestors risked their lives to preserve their faith. Many even sacrificed their lives but refused to abandon their faith despite persecution, torture, and coercion to convert. Because of their courage and sacrifices, I am able to stand tall and confident in my identity. For me, these celebrations are not only cultural rituals; they are a tribute to those who protected our dharma against all odds.
Navaratri teaches me to see the strength of Shakti within myself and honor women in society, while Diwali reminds me that the light will always overpower the darkness. Together, they empower me to honor my ancestors, preserve my faith, and share the light of Hindu values with others.
Navaratri, the nine nights dedicated to the Divine Mother, is a festival that deeply shapes my spiritual practice. For nine days, we celebrate Shakti, the cosmic force that sustains the universe, reminding us that without the feminine, creation cannot exist. Hinduism is unique in the way that it openly worships the Divine Feminine: Maa Durga, Maa Laxmi, Maa Saraswati. They are worshipped not as secondary forces but as the supreme sources of energy, wisdom, and prosperity. Each of them represents a force that we need in life: Maa Durga gives us courage, Maa Laxmi blesses us with abundance, and Maa Saraswati grants us knowledge and clarity of the mind.
The story of Maa Durga’s victory over the evil Mahishasura has always been a source of motivation for me. When the devas were unable to defeat Mahishasura, they invoked the divine Mother, Maa Durga. They converged all of their core energies; and then Maa, wielding all of their combined shastras, engaged in fierce battle for nine days and nine nights, and finally vanquished the evil demon. Upon Maa’s triumphant victory, the devas expressed their gratitude to her, and in return, she promised to stand by them, anytime they invoke her in times of adversity. This reminds me that even when challenges seem overwhelming, there is a divine feminine strength within us to rise above them.
Another core aspect of Navaratri is the devotional dance called Garba. When I join my community in Garba, I feel more than joy, I feel connected to the divine. Garba derives its name from the word ‘garbha’ meaning womb. The dancers move in a circle which symbolises the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. There is a lamp in the center which symbolises the source of divine energy around which we revolve around. Moving together in sync, I feel a sense of unity, not only with my community, but the generations that kept those traditions alive.
Diwali carries a different but equally powerful message. It has always been a significant festival for Hindus, and its deeper meaning comes from the reverence for Shri Ram. The story of Diwali is about his return to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, and also about the victory of dharma over adharma and humility over arrogance. When I think of Shri Ram and Ravana’s battle, I feel immense strength and pride. Before slaying Ravana, Shri Ram performed devi upasana, invoking the blessing of Devi Maa, seeking shakti from her, acknowledging that all power flows from her. That lesson humbles me: that even for the Maryada Purushottam, courage was not about ego, it was about surrendering to a higher power.
This year, Diwali holds an even greater meaning because it marks the second Diwali since the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. For over half a millennium, Hindus longed and struggled for the birthplace of Shri Ram to be restored, enduring countless challenges and sacrifices. To finally see Ram Lalla seated in his rightful home is a triumph of advocacy, perseverance, and the collective voice of a community, determined to protect its heritage and values. It inspires all of us to speak up, act with integrity and ensure that our culture, values and beliefs are respected and preserved for generations to come. For me, personally, it fills my heart with pride to know that after centuries of struggle, I am part of the generation that can celebrate Diwali with Ram Lalla back in his rightful home.
At the same time, Diwali’s growing recognition across the world fills me with a different kind of pride. This year, it will also be celebrated as a State holiday in California, the place I call home! This achievement didn’t happen overnight; it was made possible through years of community advocacy and collective effort. This reminds me that protecting and uplifting our faith is not just about rituals, but also about representation and education.
When I think of both Navaratri and Diwali together, I see them as two halves of the same lesson. Reminding us that strength, wisdom, and devotion comes from honoring the Divine Feminine. In a world where Hinduphobia and attacks on our faith are on the rise, Navaratri and Diwali remind us that preserving our traditions and speaking up for our rights, and practicing our beliefs openly with pride is an act of devotion—as well as an act of advocacy. In our temples, during cultural programs, and even at small gatherings at home, we preserve our heritage and pass it on to future generations. This too is advocacy: keeping alive what so our ancestors fought and died to protect.
So as Diwali approaches and we light lamps to override the darkness, we can see our shared journey as a community, walking towards a future where dharma continues to guide and inspire us all.
The author, Aradhya Someshwar, is a CYAN volunteer and college student.