Nine Days of Worship, 356 Days of Betrayal

As Navratri begins, homes and streets across India will glow with lights, chants, and devotion. For nine days, we worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga which is represents power, wisdom, prosperity, and resilience. We honour her as the protector, the nurturer, and the destroyer of evil. But beyond the rituals and celebrations, lies a sobering irony in a country where a goddess is worshiped, women continue to suffer.

This is the same country where women are unsafe in their homes, on streets, at workplaces, and in schools. India ranks among the highest in global crime rates against women – rape, domestic violence, acid attacks, trafficking, harassment. The contradiction is disturbing, for nine days we raise our hands in prayer to a goddess, but for the other 356 days, we fail the women who carry her spirit.

We pray to Durga, yet millions of Durgas are denied the right to be born.

We bow to Saraswati, yet countless Saraswatis are stopped from learning.

We seek blessings from Laxmi, yet so many Laxmis are forced to beg for financial freedom.

We revere Parvati, yet young Parvatis are sacrificed to the evils of dowry.

We tell the story of Sita’s purity, yet real Sitas are silenced in suffering.

We celebrate Kali’s power, yet women are still judged by the shade of their skin.

How long will this contradiction exist?

What kind of faith is this? A selective, convenient one that bows before the Shakti while turning away from living women?

Navratri isn’t just about rituals—it is about embracing the spirit of Shakti in everyday life. The true essence of these nine nights is not just in worship, but in reflection and action.

This Navratri, may every Durga be welcomed into the world.
May every Saraswati be blessed with knowledge.
May every Laxmi be empowered with independence.
May every Parvati be respected with dignity.
May every Sita be honoured with compassion.
May every Kali be celebrated in her true strength.

When we extend our prayers into action, only then will our devotion hold true meaning. Navratri becomes not just a festival of worship, but a festival of women rising, growing, and transforming the world around them.