Introduction Navratri Festival.
Navratri is a nine day’s Hindu festival celebrated in India, This festival is dedicated to the mother goddess Durga. It is also known as Shradh Navratri. Navratri in 2023, starts from 15 October to 23 October 2023 in India as per the Hindu calendar. This festival is special because it is most important for the mother goddess Durga celebration in Hinduism.
In Hinduism, the nine-day celebration of Navratri honors the victory of good over evil – Dharma triumphs over Adharma with the blessing of Goddess Durga.
Celebrating the Power of Devi Durga for Nine Nights. Learn about the nine manifestations of Shakti worshiped during this lively festival and connect with the Divine Feminine.
What is Navaratri?
Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and is dedicated to goddess Durga also known as the goddess of power and strength. Devotees celebrate the festival for nine days, representing the Goddess’s nine forms. It is also known as Navadurga. The word Navratri is a Sanskrit word ‘Nava’ for nine and ‘Ratri’ for night.
Hindus celebrate the Navratri by worshiping the mother goddess Durga, the universe’s pure feminine power. According to Hinduism, she is the driving force for all processes of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees ask for her blessings, grace, and protection.
The grand celebration of the Navratri festival involves colorful decorations and traditional rituals are part of the festival. People express their devotion through praying, and fasting. In some parts of India people celebrate Navratri by dancing ancient folk dances of Garba and Dandiya, which symbolize the victory of good over evil.
The nine days for Navratri.
- Day 1– Ghatasthapana – Chandra Darshan – Shailputri Puja
- Day 2– Brahmacharini Devi Puja
- Day 3 – Sindoor Tritiya – Chitrangada Devi Puja
- Day 4 – Upang Lalita Vrat – Lalitha
Panchami – Kushmanda Devi Puja
- Day 5– Skanda Mata Puja
- Day 6 – Katyayani Devi Puja
- Day 7 – Kalratri Devi Puja
- Day 8 – Mahashtami – Mahagauri Devi Puja
- Day 9 – Maha Navami – Siddhidatri Devi Puja
Day 10 – Dussehra (only in Certain calendars exclusively observe Dasara in North India.)
The 10th day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashmi
Importance of Sharad Navratri.
On the nine days, the Mother Goddess Shakti, who emerges in many forms to save and protect her children, is worshiped. Her shapes are limitless. When her children are in danger, she assumes a shape to destroy the evil and defend her children as a concerned mother would. She is a self-sufficient mother who nurtures and feeds her children. Because of her blessing, life on Earth exists.
According to Hindu mythology the festival Navratri is related to the legend of the mother goddess Durga, who fought the monster Mahishasura for nine days before winning on the tenth day, the tenth day is known as Vijayadashami. The story represents the need to get rid of all negative feelings in our lives and to achieve inner peace and fulfillment.
During the Navratri devotees worship Durga, also known as Devi or Shakti who symbolizes the pure feminine spirit. The three aspects of nature are represented by Lakshmi, Durga, and Saraswati, the first three days of Navratri are dedicated to goddess Durga, the second three days to goddess Lakshmi, and the last three days to goddess Saraswati. Vijayawada represents the victory over these three facets of life.
For the sadhaka, every Hindu celebration has a spiritual message. This nine-day celebration commemorates the triumph of good over evil. In truth, the Navratri holiday reflects the whole idea of the Vedas: first, eradicate all negativities; then, purify the mind and nurture positive virtues; and ultimately, attain spiritual knowledge and transcend all restrictions.
Ratri signifies night and Nava represents nine. During these nine nights, the Mother Goddess is worshiped in numerous manifestations, including Durga, Laxmi, and Saraswati.
Durga is summoned on the first three nights for her strength and ferocity, which are essential to cut out the mind’s deep-seated bad inclinations.
On the following three nights, Goddess Laxmi is worshiped. She is invited to bring her richness of noble values into the cleansed mind to nurture and purify it.
Finally, on the last three nights, Goddess Saraswati is called to grant the Higher Knowledge of the Self, which is only achievable after cleansing and purification.
The small ego is eliminated as spiritual wisdom dawns. On the 10th night, an effigy is burned to remember this destruction. This tenth day is known as Vijayadashami (Vijaya-victory, dashmi-ten) Victory Day or the Joy of Enlightenment (Vidya-wisdom, knowledge, rambha-joy).
The Rasa (joyful dance) of Shree Krishna and the Gopis is also done during Navratri. As the mind becomes purer, calmer, and quieter, a deeper awareness of the nature of the Inner Self emerges, giving rise to the delight and happiness portrayed in this dance of Realization.
The spiritual message of night-time worship is that “you have lived long enough in the sleepy realm of tamas; now is the time to awaken.”
Nav Kanya Puja in Navratri.
Families welcome nine young girls under the age of 13 into their homes during Navratri and worship them as representations of the nine goddesses or as nine forms of Goddess Shakti. This centuries-old custom, Nav Kanya Puja, is renowned for its capacity to win the favor of Goddess Durga. These girls represent the very first force that inspired the formation of the universe and the gods, according to the theory underlying this tradition, which makes them deserving of the highest respect and admiration. The feminine gender is believed to embody the primordial energy of creation.
This ceremony, also known as Maha Ashtami Kumari Puja, is very important during the Navratri celebrations. Kanya Puja is thought to assist one in acquiring the blessings of Goddess Durga and recognizing the feminine strength given to the female child. Furthermore, all of the sacrifices made to the goddess during the nine days are given to the young girls, making this a significant part of the Navratri celebration.
The traditional Pooja of Navratri.
Navratri Puja begins the day before Navratri, on Bhadrapada Amavasya or Purattasi Amavasya. On this day, all preparations are completed.
On the first day of Navratri, wheat or jowar is sown in a flat clay pot. Mango leaves are draped over it and water is sprayed over it. On the third day, the first shots will show. It then develops fast, symbolizing progress, hope, and fertility. Additionally, it indicates prosperity and excellent health.
During the nine days of Navratri, Navdurga, or the Goddess Durga in her nine forms, Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
is worshiped. Reading Durga saptashati for nine days of Navratri is the 700 slokas and was written by Lord Brahma.
- The house should be cleaned thoroughly.
- Early in the morning is when the puja performer should bathe.
- To have a calm nine days, one needs to make a sankrulp or choice.
- During the nine days, no drinking, smoking, paan, or sexual activity is allowed.
- There is a first pooja offered to Ganesha.
- It is time to perform the following pujas for Matrika, Lokpal, Navagraha, and Varuna.
- The standard sixteen-step puja (Shodashopachara Puja) is performed to the Mother Goddess. Puja is to be offered to Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahakali.
- Every day, recite a Mother Goddess mantra.
The other Navratri’s in a year.
There are three Navratri’s in a year, in addition to the one in September-October. The most important of the three is the festival celebrated in March and April, particularly in North India. Because it corresponds with the Ram Navami celebration, it is also known as Vasant or Ram Navaratri.
- Chaitra Navratri – March 22, 2023 to March 30, 2023.
- Gupta Navratri – January 22, 2023 to March 30, 2023.
- Ashad Navratri – June 19, 2023 to June 27, 2023.
- Sharad Navratri – October 15, 2023 to October 23, 2023.
Mantra to chant in Navratri.
You can chant any Mother Goddess-related mantra. Here are three mantras that are considered extremely beneficial and worthy to chant.
- सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike
Sharanye trayambake gauri, Narayani namostute .
- शङ्खचक्रगदाशङ्र्गगृहीत परमायुधे।
प्रसीद वैष्णवीरूपे नारायणि नमोस्तुते।।
Shadkhchakragadashankagrahita paramayude
Prasida Vaishanaviroope Narayani Namostute.
- देवि प्रपन्नाॢतहरे प्रसीद प्रसीद मातर्जगतोखिलस्य।
प्रसीद विश्वेश्वरि पाहि विश्वं त्वमीश्वरी देवि चराचरस्य।।
Devi prapnnarthare prasida prasida matarjgatokhilsaya
Prasaida Vishveshwari Pahi Vishwam Tavamishwari Devi Characharsya.
Frequently asked questions about Navratri Festival
- When will Sharad Navratri begin in 2023?
Sharad Navratri will begin on 15 October 2023.
- What are the two types of Navratri?
The two types of Navratri are Gupta Navratris in addition to Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri.
- Who are the nine Devis in Navratri?
The nine Devi of Navratri are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
