The Hindu mythology is replete with instances of fierce battles between gods and demons. The existence of life in the universe is guided by the holy Hindu Trinity, Brahma- the Creator, Vishnu- the Preserver and Shiva- the Destroyer. Vijayadasami is the festival of Victory- victory of good over evil, the day demons were killed. There are several stories in Hindu mythology to illustrate this. Goddess Durga was created by the Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to destroy the demon, Mahishasura. It also signifies Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.

Navaratri literally means, Nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. A festival celebrated for nine nights and the tenth day is Vijayadasami. During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, Goddess Durga. God's glory, his cosmic energy, his greatness and supremacy can best be depicted as the motherhood aspect of God.

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme Goddess. On the first three nights of the festival, Goddess Durga is worshipped; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the next three days and then Goddess Saraswati on the last three days. Ninth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Ayudha pooja which has a special significance. The Pandavas retrieved their weapons which they had stashed in a tree during their 13 year exile. People worship their work-tools, household appliances and their vehicles on this day. The following day is the tenth day of the festival, Vijayadasami. Many households display Bommala Koluvu- a colorful arrangement of toys and dolls during this period. It is an occasion for women and kids to visit other houses attired in their best.

This festival signifies the gain of noble virtues and the knowledge of self in our lives. This is possible when all the evil tendencies in our minds are destroyed. This destruction is represented by Goddess Durga. Durga is "Durgati Harini" meaning, "She destroys our evil tendencies". Goddess Durga is also called "Mahishasura Mardini", the destroyer of Mahishasura (demon}, mahisha meaning "buffalo" and asura meaning "demon". The buffalo stands for Tamo Guna, the quality of laziness, darkness and ignorance. We pray Goddess Durga to destroy Tamo Guna residing in us.

For the knowledge to dawn within us, we have to prepare our minds. The purification of mind is obtained by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi represents wealth; we mistake that with the material wealth. Material wealth without self discipline, respect, sincerity, kindness and the value of love just makes life miserable. The real wealth is the inner wealth if spiritual values that we practice in our lives, by which our minds become purified. Only noble values will be able to preserve material wealth and make good use of it. Our wealth of virtues is our true Lakshmi.

Victory over the mind can be gained only through knowledge and it is Goddess Saraswati who represents this highest knowledge of Self. Lord Krishna says in Bhagwad Gita "The knowledge of the Self is The Knowledge". To obtain this supreme knowledge of Self, we worship Goddess Saraswati. This is the significance if the three sets if three nights and finally on the tenth day, Vijayadasami, the day of victory is celebrated.