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Jai Mata Di!
India is a country of festivals. Different types of festivals are celebrated by various group of people of different religions. Navratri is one of the most significant and auspicious Hindu festivals. This festival is a celebration of good over evil as goddess Durga conquered the demon Mahishasura with combined powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Each day of Navaratri is celebrated to mark the nine avatars (arrivals) of Goddess Durga. It has a lot of importance in Hinduism. It is also supposed that Maa Durga travels from Heaven to Earth during Navratri and takes away all the difficulties of Her devotees.
In this article we shall discuss about celebration period, dates of Navaratries and Dashahara, major events as Ghat Sthapana, Ashtmi Puja, Navami Puja etc, Ghat Sthapana Procedure, arrival and departure of Maa Durga and some rules for Navratri.
It is celebrated twice in a year, in the Hindu month of Ashwin and in the month of Chetra. Shardiya Navratri (winter Navaratri) is celebrated, in Ashwin after Sarvapitri Amavasya when Pitru Paksha gets over, over a span of nine nights. In simple words, Shardiya Navratri begins with the Pratipada of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwini.
As Navaratri of Ashwin month falls in winter, so, it is called Sharadiya Navaratri that means the Navaratri of winter.
This year the holy festival of Navratri will run from 7th October to 15th October. During the 9 days of Navratri, nine forms of the Mother Durga or Shakti are worshipped. But this year, there will be 8 days of Navratri because Tritiya tithi and Chaturthi tithi falls on a single day, on 9th October, 2021.
| Date | Tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha | Navaratri | Events |
| 07th October | Prathma | First | Maa Shailaputri Puja & Ghatasthapana [Kalash Puja] |
| 08th October | Dvitiya | Second | Maa Brahmacharini Puja |
| 09th October | Tritiya & Chaturthi | Third & Fourth | Maa Chandraghanta Puja
& Maa Kushmanda Puja |
| 10th October | Panchami | Fifh | Maa Skanda Mata |
| 11th October | Shashthi | Sixth | Maa Katyayani Puja |
| 12th October | Saptami | Seventh | Maa Kalaratri Puja |
| 13th October | Ashtami | Eighth | Maa Mahagauri Puja |
| 14th October | Navami | Nineth | Maa Siddhidatri Puja |
| 15th October | Dashami | ——— | Ravan Dahan
Burning of Ravan’s effigy |
7th October [Pratipada tithi] : On this day, Ghatasthapana or Kalash Pujan is executed and devotees perform Shailputri puja. Goddess Shailputri is the first form of Goddess Durga who bearing a Trishul and a lotus in her hand. People offer pure ghee [deshi ghee] to Goddess Shailputri, an avatar of Goddess Parvati.
8th October [Dwitiya]: On Dwitiya tithi, people worship goddess Brahmacharini, the second form of Goddess Durga. It is supposed that Goddess Parvati got Lord Shiva as her spouse after a long meditation, hence the name Brahmacharini. This avatar of Durga is a symbol of nobility and repentance. A prasad of sugar and fruits is served to Her.
9th October [Tritiya & Chaturthi]: Chandraghanta Puja is performed on Tritiya and Kushmanda Puja is performed on Chaturthi. This year, both tithies are the same day, so both Goddesses must be worshiped on the same day. Goddess Chandraghanta is the third avatar of Goddess Durga having 10 arms who is fierce with anger. She is served kheer and sweets made with milk. On the other hand, Goddess Kushmanda, the fourth form of Maa Durga, is offered Malpua as bhog.
10th October [Panchami]: On this day, people accomplish Skandamata puja and the day is also known as Lalita Panchami. Goddess Lalita is known to be an incarnation of Maa Durga. Keeping a fast on Lalita Panchami brings happiness, knowledge and wealth. Goddess Skandamata is the fifth embodiment of Goddess Durga and is a calm and serene Goddess. Devotees serve bananas as Prasad to the Goddess as a sign of good health.
11th October [Shashthi]: On this day, Katyayani puja is performed. On the sixth day of the Navratri, Goddess Durga is offered honey as a symbol of sweetness. It is believed that Goddess Katyayani blesses the devotees with a sweet life and symbolises true devotion.
12th October [Saptami]: Kalaratri puja is performed on Saptami tithi. Kalaratri is the seventh avatar of Goddess Durga. Devotees offer jaggery as bhog to Maa Durga on Saptami and it is supposed that she protects her true devotees from evil spirits and power.
13th October 13 [Ashtami]: On this day, MahaGauri puja will be performed. Devotees will worship Goddess Durga by offering a coconut as bhog. Goddess Magagauri rides on a bull. She is considered as a symbol of perseverance and penance. This tithi is also known as Durgashtami.
14th October 14 [Navami]: On Navami tithi, Siddhidhatri puja is performed. This day is observed as ‘Mahanavami’. The ninth form of Maa Durga is a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. She is served with sesame seeds as bhog.
15th October 15: On Dashami tithi, devotees accomplish Navratri Parana. It also known as Durga Visarjan. Vijayadashmi marks the end of Navratri. On this day, the idols are carried out in processions and immersed in water.
Important events:
Ghatasthapana Muhurat/commencement of Shardiya Navaratri:
Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi of Ashwin marks the opening of Shardiya Navratri 2021. It will begin from 04:34 pm on 06th October, 2021 and end at 01:46pm on 07th October. 2021.
Ghatasthapana Muhurta time initiates from 06:17 am and ends at 10:11 am on 07th October, 2021.
Ashtami Puja:
Ashtami Puja will be done on 13th October, 2021. Ashtamai Tithi starts from 9:47 pm on 12th October, 2021 and ends at 08:07 pm on 13th October, 2021. On Ashtami, Maa Mahagauri is worshipped by the devotees.
Navami Puja:
Navami Puja will be done on 14th October, 2021. Navami Tithi starts from 08:07 pm on 13th October, 2021 and ends at 06:52 pm on 14th October, 2021. On Navami, Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped by the devotees.
Vijay Dashmi:
Vijay Dashami [Dussehra] will be done on 15th October, 2021. Dashami Tithi starts from 06:52 pm on 14th October, 2021 and ends at 06:02 pm on 15th October, 2021.
Worship of Nine Goddesses:
During the Navaratries, a nine days long span, devotees worship nine avatars of Mother Durga as Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. On the eighth day [Ashtami] and the ninth day [Navami], devotees of Maa Durga invite little girls for Devi Prasad and Kanya Pujan. Additionally, nine little girls dressed as the nine avatars of the goddess are worshipped. According to the Hindu perception, little girls are the appearance of the natural force of creation.
Arrival on the horse and departure on the elephant:
The festival of Vijay Dashami [Dashahara] will be celebrated on 15th October, on Friday. Many astrologers depict that the mother is coming on a horse this time which is generally fruitful. Dashami being on Friday, the departure of the mother is on an elephant which will be a fortunate. With this new energy, new consciousness will be infused in all the people. Along with this, you will get happiness and prosperity.
Ghata Sthapana/ /Kalash Pujan Procedure:
To do Ghata Sthapan/Kalash Pujan, the individual should get up early in the morning and put on new clothes. The place where pujan will take place must be cleaned properly. Take a flat clay pot for growing jowara and spread a layer of soil in it and then spread the grain seeds like barley.
Then, add a thin layer of soil and sprinkle some water on it so that it might be set. Tie a nauli [sacred thread] on the neck of the Kalash and fill it up with holy water. Pour akshat [unbroken rice], supari [areca nut], scent, durva grass and coins into the water. Put five leaves at the edge of the kalash and then, cover it with a lid.
Then, wrap a Shriphal [coconut] inside a red cloth and tie it with nauli/kalawa. Keep it on the top of the Kalash. Show dhoop/diya to the Kalash. Sweets, flowers, fruits etc may also be offered. It is now ready to appeal Goddess Durga into it. Pray and request Goddess Durga to accept it and dwell into the Kalash for nine days of Navratri. Now, recite Mantras for Durga Pujan and do Maa Durga Aarti. Durga Chalisa may also be recited.
Rules of Navaratri:
In Navaratries, people keep fast in honour of goddess Durga. Keeping fast is good for health as well. It purifies the body and soul. But before, keeping fast, you must know the rules which are forbidden for the people on fast. Some rules have been asked to be followed in the holy scriptures. These rules must be taken care of. Even if the people; who believe in Sanatan Dharma and do not keep Navratri fast; should not consume non-veg, eggs, garlic, onion, alcohol during nine days long Navaratries even by mistake.
The house where the eternal flame is lit on Navratri, should not left empty. At least one person must live in it.
Do not put on black clothes while worshiping the Goddess. The people on Navaratri-fast must follow chastity.
If you are on Navratri-fast, do not cut hair, nails and shave the bread during this holy period. You can do it after accomplishing Parana.
Navaratri Paran: –
On the final day of Navratri Festival, Navami, people immerse the idol of goddess Durga in a water body. This process is called Navaratri Paran. Navami Tithi starts from 08:07 pm on 13th October, 2021 and ends at 06:52 pm on 14th October, 2021.
May Maa Durga bring happiness, success and health for you and your family!
!! Jai Mata Di !!
Note: The facts have been taken from various Sanskrit Texts and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharadiya_navaratri .
