Nine Days of Navaratri - Talk by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

What is Navratri festival ?

Raksha Bandhan

This full moon is dedicated to the seers -- the Rishis. It is also called the Raksha bandhan. Bandhan means bondage, Raksha means protection. A bondage that protects you - Your bondage to the knowledge, to the master, to the truth, to The Self, all Save You. A Rope Can Be Tied To Either Protect Or Strangle You. The Small Mind and Mundane things can strangle you. The big mind or knowledge saves you. Raksha Bandhan is that bondage that saves you.
You are bound by your bondage to the Satsang. Your bondage to the master, to the truth, to the ancient knowledge of the rishis, and that is your saviour.
Bandhan is bonding and bonding is essential in life. Let the bonding be divine in a life free from bondage.

Shravan Maas, Shravan Mahina

The month of Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calender beginning from Chaitra, and is the most auspicious month of the Chaturmas. On Purnima or fullmoon day, or during the course of the month the star 'Shravan' rules the sky, hence the month is called Shravan. 

This month is spread out with innumerably religious festivals and ceremonies and almost all the days of this month are auspicious. 

Legend has it that the Samudra Manthan(Churning of Ocean) took place in this month and Lord Shiva drank the poison HalaHala to save the world and as a result of it the throat of Shiva became blue in color and he came to be known by the name of Neelakanth.

Shravan is considered the holiest month of the year. Each monday of this month, known as Shravana Somvar, is a special day of Shiva worship/ Rudra Puja. Temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with holy water, day and night. Devotees pile the linga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset. The nandadeep (24 hour lamp) burns steadily in the temples.