Happy Navaratri and Happy Hindu New Year!

Happy Navaratri! Today is the first day of the Hindu new year and the first day of Navratri, the “nine nights” that are observed twice a year, once at the onset of winter and again at the beginning of summer. During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the Divine Mother Goddess in Her many forms. At this sacred time of Navratri, we must remember that the divine feminine energy, the Shakti of Ma Durga, Ma Saraswati, Ma Lakshmi, Ma Parvati and all the forms of the Mother Goddess whom we worship — that divine essence lives in our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, Mother Earth and Mother Nature as well. We must ensure that they are all free from violence, discrimination and harm. We must ensure they are as safe, protected and respected as the Goddess deities we worship in our temples.