Navratri, one of the most fortunate Hindu holidays, is observed with great fervour and devotion. The religious holiday known as Navratri, which means "nine auspicious nights," is observed to honour the goddesses Durga, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. During these nine auspicious days, people fast, engage in spiritual practices, and pray fervently. Given that these are holy days, it is crucial to understand the precise rites and traditions that adherents of Navratri should observe.
Significance of Navratri Festival
The festival of Navratri puja at home is a celebration of good over evil, truth over corruption. This festival is to celebrate the win of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura to mark the triumph of good over evil. The Navadurga, 9 astounding avatars of Durga, is the main focus of these 9 days.
First Day: Shailaputri
The purpose of Goddess Shailaputri devotion is to elevate consciousness.
Second Day: Brahmacharini
Since "Brahma" refers to heavenly consciousness and "achar" refers to action, this day becomes especially hallowed for meditation.
Third Day: Chandraghanta
The Goddess, who has a half-moon on her forehead, is a symbol for spreading emotional harmony and wisdom that leads to the highest levels of joy.
Fourth Day: Kushmanda
She is mounted on a tiger and has ten arms, one of which is clutching a rosary and the others carrying weapons. Worshipers receive energy from her to grow.
Fifth Day: Skandamata
Her name means "mother of Skanda," and in this incarnation, she is pictured holding him in her lap. A lion serves as her mode of transportation. She embodies a mother's love.
Sixth Day: Katyayani
The goddess assumes the divine form of Goddess Katyayani in order to vanquish all cosmic bad forces. She kills Mahishasura the demon in this incarnation.
Seventh Day: Kalaratri
This day is dedicated to worshipping Kalaratri, a fiercer manifestation of the goddess who stands for the nighttime.
Eighth Day: Mahagauri
Mahagauri represents freedom and inner beauty. She also stands for nature, the force that gives life its momentum.
Ninth Day: Siddhidatri
She is adored for looking beyond what the logical mind can comprehend. She allegedly makes the unthinkable possible.
Importance of Durga Puja
Initial Day
Mahalaya, a day on which Shakta Hindus commemorate the birth of Durga and lost loved ones, kicks off the festival. Every deity on the durga puja at home stage generally has their eyes painted on this day as well, giving them a lifelike appearance.
Fifth Day
The nine facets of Goddess Durga—Navadurga—are recalled and adored. These include Kumari, the goddess of fertility, Mai, the mother, Ajima, the grandmother, Lakshmi, the goddess of riches, and the Saptamatrikas, the seven mothers.
Shashti
Goddess Durga is welcomed, and festivities start in temples and pandals. This marks the start of significant festivities and social gatherings. It is known as Bodhana. The puja ceremonies take a lot of time and effort. Mantras, Shlokas, and Arati were chanted for three days.
Saptami
The following rituals are carried out on this day: Goddess bathing, aarti, priest selection, recitation of literature detailing Durga going to war, group meditation, and female screams that sound like they are crying at peak points.
Mahasthami
The festivities resemble those of the seventh day almost exactly. It is a significant day because it is said that Durga destroys Mahishasura the demon at the point where the eighth day ends and the nine-day begins.
Mahanavami
It is comparable to the seventh day, with the exception that it is a celebration of Goddess Durga's victory.
Vijaya – Dashami
This is the last day of the festival is called vijayadashami festival. Beginning with Sindoor Khela, where married women apply Sindoor to each other before applying it on Durga's foot and forehead. A statue made of colourful clay is transported, submerged, and then retrieved.
Why Celebrate Navratri?
The epic conflict between Goddess Durga and the strong demon Mahishasura is described in the Navratri tale. An avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped every year on each day of Navratri to commemorate the occasion of her victory over Mahishasura and the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil. Book Pandit for Navratri Kalash Sthapana, Havan, and visarjan online.
Navratri Puja Vidhi
The navratri 2022 dates are from 26th September to 5th October. You must rise early in the morning to carry out the procedure. Put on clean clothes after getting dressed and taking a bath. The ideal time to perform Navratri Pooja is early in the morning with navratri kalash sthapana. In order to make your home religious, sprinkle it with Gangajal. Akhand Jyoti should be lit.
Keep the Akhand Jyoti on the left side of the deity, and place some incense sticks on the right side. All rights should be carried out with utmost commitment and right navratri puja havan samagri.
Why We Celebrate Dussehra?
According to Hindu mythology, dasara festival is observed after Navratri because it is thought that Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga on the instruction of Lord Vishnu before setting out on his mission to vanquish Ravana. The celebration commemorates Lord Ram's triumph over Ravana, king of Lanka (the 10-headed demon).
Do's and Don'ts During Navratri
Must Do's For Navratri Days:
- Try to stick to Satvic cuisine throughout this time
- Each day, you should take a bath no later than 8:00 AM
- You must frequently visit the Durga temple in the morning and evening (you can do this at your own temple as well), give flowers, light a candle (Diya), and do arti
- Ask "Maa Durga" to erase your bad karma from the past and to grant you and your family a joyful and prosperous future
- Don't wear worn-out or outdated clothes on Navratri Vrat katha or paath and try to avoid wearing anything black. Only wear new, fresh clothes every day
Avoid During Navrati Days
- Don't drink alcohol during this time
- People who are fasting shouldn't get their hair or nails done
- At the very least, the kitchen in your house and the pooja room where you do devotion to Maa Durga should be clean and dust-free
- If you can, try to avoid wearing slippers inside during Navratri
- Be in a celibate state, refrain from having sexual relationships at this time, avoid negativity, and focus solely on accepting positive energy
Importance of Kanya Pujan in Navratri
An important Navratri ritual is kanya pujan. In accordance with the Devi Bhagwat Purana, devotees are said to receive the true benefits of their prayers when they worship girls on the ninth day of Navratri. At the conclusion of Navratri, it is notably believed that those who observed a nine-day fast worshipped a girl child. Now, book pandit ji for navratri puja online.
