A pious Hindu festival is about to come, which is celebrated in almost every part of the country. The festival is Navratri puja of Goddess Maa Durga. It is celebrated in the month of Chaitra; there it is called Chaitra or Vasant Navratri Puja.
Navratri in Chaitra 2023 will be celebrated from March 22 to March 30. During these nine days, people celebrate the festival, follow the Navratri puja vidhi, observe fast and try to appease Goddess Maa Durga. It is believed that the Goddess comes from heaven to bestow blessings upon her worshippers. If you are facing difficulties in life, Goddess Durga will help you overcome the challenges. Hence, it is best to learn Navratri fast rules and follow the Navratri path vidhi to celebrate the occasion and attain the benefits.
What is Navratri and why is it Celebrated?
According to Vedic scriptures, Navratri is the celebration of the win of good over evil. Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahisasura, who was harming and killing the people of earth. Hence, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesh created Goddess Durga and equip her with all weapons. Durga fought with Mahisasura for ten days and then the demon got killed and people celebrate the occasion at Navratri. People like to celebrate Navratri by observing fast. It is believed that observing fast and doing puja with the exact Vedic vidhi will please Goddess Durga. Moreover, fasting is also considered beneficial from the health aspect. It is best to eat only simple meals or diet for nine days to get rid of toxins from the body.
Why are 9 Days Celebrated in Navratri?
Navratri is a popular Hindu festival that is made by joining two different words, i.e. Nav + Ratri. It means a celebration for nine nights. It is believed that Goddess Durga has nine different forms, and each day of Navratri is dedicated to one devi. To appease all of them, people need to celebrate the festival and perform Navratri Durga puja for nine days and nine nights.
What are the Rules of Navratri?
It is important to follow the rules to seek the blessings of Devi Durga. According to Vedic rituals, people must correctly recite Navratri mantra Jaap and perform puja with the help of a Vedic priest.
Since Navratri is celebrated across the country, the rules may vary depending on the region. However, the most common beliefs are listed below:
- Devotees worship Goddess Durga for nine days and recite Navratri Durga mantra or conduct Navratri Durga path to seek blessings of Devi. People also worship young girls to please Devi.
- Devotees observe fast for nine days. Those who cannot observe fast for the entire Navratri duration only observe fast during the first and the last day of Navratri.
- Navratri is the time to worship the nine different avatars of Goddess Durga, hence each day is associated with a different color, such as devotees can dress up, prepare bhog or decorate the idol of Devi in yellow on the first day, green on the second and so one.
- In some parts of the country, worshippers keep the lamp lit for the entire duration of Navratri. It is called Akhand Diya, which means that diya/lamp will be lit for 24 hours and won’t go off even at night.
What is Not Allowed in Navratri?
Consult our priests and find out more about Chaitra Navratri puja muhurat. Then you will be able to prepare yourself for the puja. There are certain restrictions that people follow as cultural practices during Navratri.
Some people eat only sattvic food during the festival, which means they skip eating non-vegetarian food items along with any dish that is prepared with onion and garlic in it. They also avoid drinking alcohol or chewing tobacco during the pious festival. In some parts of the country, devotees restrict themselves from cutting hair and nails during the festival. Moreover, some avoid going to funerals during Navratri as it is believed to bring bad luck.
Why Navratri Fasting is Important?
Devotees can consult our experts about the required Chaitra Navratri puja samagri and Navratri puja vidhi at home. Our Vedic experts can help you understand the importance of fasting. Observing fast during the nine days of Navratri has cultural, spiritual and physical significance.
Those who follow the spiritual significance believe that strictly following the Navratri vrat vidhi will bestow the blessings on Devi on them. Moreover, eating simple meals for nine days offer lots of health benefits. Experts agree that fasting during Navratri helps you keep cardiovascular functions in control. In addition to this, worshippers will notice a unique positive energy around them if they follow Navratri vrat vidhi and perform puja for nine days. Try it on this Navratri puja 2023 and tell us about it.
How to Do Kalash Sthapana in Chaitra Navratri?
Kalash Sthapana is a ritual performed during Chaitra Navratri to invite the blessings of Goddess Maa Durga. You can also book a pandit ji online for. Here are the steps to perform Kalash Sthapana:
- Clean the area where you will perform the Kalash Sthapana. Choose a place that is clean and free from clutter.
- Take a new, clean, and unbroken clay or copper Kalash. Wash it with clean water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
- Fill the Kalash with water and add some Gangajal to it. If Gangajal is not available, you can add normal water.
- Add some betel nuts, coins, and a few rice grains to the water.
- Take five mango leaves and place them in the Kalash in a circular pattern, such that their tips are outside the Kalash.
- Cover the mouth of the Kalash with a crimson Chunari.
- Place the Kalash on a bed of rice grains in a puja thali.
- On top of the Kalash, place a small bowl filled with rice grains. On top of this, place a coconut wrapped in a red cloth.
- Light a lamp and incense sticks near the Kalash.
- Pray to Goddess Durga and seek her blessings.
- Offer some flowers and Prasad to the Goddess.
- Keep the Kalash in a clean and sacred place for the next nine days of Navratri.
- On the tenth day, immerse the Kalash in a river or any other water body.
While performing the Kalash Sthapana, it is important to maintain cleanliness and purity in your thoughts and actions. It is also essential to perform the ritual with devotion and sincerity.
What is the Importance of Each Day in Navratri?
Below is the name of the Goddess that is worshipped on a particular day for attaining specific benefits.
Day 1: Shailputri for health and well-being
Day 2: Brahmacharinin for knowledge and wisdom
Day 3: Chandraghanta for peace and courage
Day 4: Kushmanada for vitality
Day 5: Skandhmata for motherhood
Day 6: Katyayini for strength
Day 7: Kalaratri for power
Day 8: Mahagauri for purity
Day 9: Sidhidatri for enlightenment
What Food is Eaten During Navratri?
Food during Navratri means light meals suitable for fasting. The choice of food depends on the region, however, some common dishes that are popular throughout India are Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu ki roti, Singhare ka atta, fruit salad, milk-based drinks etc.
Why are Girls Worshipped During Navratri?
Kanya pujan or Kumari pujan is a popular ritual followed during Navratri. Devotees invite nine young girls to their homes and worship them as they are believed as a form of Devi Durga.
Why do we Feed Girls on Ashtami?
Kumari pujan is often celebrated on the eighth day of Navratri called Ashtami, during this day young girls are invited who haven’t attained puberty yet. Devotees worship these young Devis to show respect to the Goddess. The divine feminine power is being worshipped during Ashtami and according to Hindu mythology it is a good deed to please the Goddess.
How to Do Kalash Visarjan in Navratri?
Navratri Visarjan is the process of immersing the Kalash that was installed during Navratri in a water body, usually a river or a sea. You also do this by sprinkling the Kalash water at all the sacred spots in your house. The Kalash coins should never be spent because they bring wealth to the grain. Keep them in a safe place.
Here are the Steps to Perform Navratri Visarjan:
- On the tenth day of Navratri, take out the Kalash from the place where it was kept during the nine days of Navratri.
- Recite the prayers and mantras while holding the Kalash in your hands.
- Take the Kalash to a water body such as a river or a sea.
- Pray to the Goddess and seek her blessings for yourself and your family.
- Slowly immerse the Kalash into the water body.
While immersing the Kalash, recite the following prayer:
"सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥"
(Sarva mangal mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike
Sharanye tryambake gauri narayani namostute)
After immersing the Kalash, take a little bit of the water from the river or sea and sprinkle it on yourself and your family members as a blessing.
Return home and perform aarti in front of the deity of the house, seeking blessings for the future.
It is important to perform the Navratri Visarjan with utmost devotion and sincerity. Also, it is crucial to avoid polluting the water body while performing the Visarjan. It is recommended to use eco-friendly materials such as clay or mud to make the Kalash.
Consult Now
Our experienced priests can help you seek the blessings of Goddess Devi on Navratri muhurat 2023. Connect now to learn more about Navratri samagri list from our experienced pandits.
