Navratri is a Sanskrit word that means nine nights in English. These days are dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga in various avatars for her divine power and extreme ability to fight against evil. It’s believed that Goddess Durga arrives at her maternal home for nine days, so we warmly welcome her with a big celebration.
Everyone knows about Ashwina Navratri in India, and the festival is widely celebrated in most states. However, the type of celebration changes with the location. Some worship Goddess Durga’s idol while others like to do the Garba. Some parts of the country are famous for sacrificing animals during the celebrations.
Each day has its significance among nine days, and rituals continue throughout the festival. The tenth day is called Dashmi, famously known as Dusshera. The day when Lord Ram executed demon Ravan to establish peace and secure his wife, Sita.
On Dusshera, the idols of goddess Durga are immersed in the water where it’s believed she returns to her husband, Lord Shiva’s home, and it is hoped that soon she will return here. It is an auspicious event, and people wait throughout the year to celebrate these nine days.
Date & Tithi
Ashwina Navratri starts on 3rd October 2024
To know more about tithi, click here.
Each day has its significance
The festival is also famous for the battle that goddess Durga took with the demon Mahishasura as a lesson that evil always losses. However, all these nine days are dedicated to goddess Durga’s nine avatars. Each day has its significance.
1. Shailaputri – Also known as Pratipada, this day is celebrated as an incarnation of Parvati, where Durga is worshipped as a wife of shiva.
2. Brahmacharini – This day is dedicated to worshipping her Brahmacharini avatar, where Parvati became Yogini. Symbolises calmness and blissfulness.
3. Chandraghanta – This name arrived after she married Shiva, where Parvati decorates her forehead with Ardhachandra (half-moon).
4. Kushmanda – We worship her Kushmanda avatar on the fourth day, symbolising Earth’s vegetation. On this day, the Goddess is depicted as having four arms and sitting on a tiger.
5. Skandamata – The day is dedicated to the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya). It shows the strength of a mother and her ability to fight against all evil whenever her child is in danger.
6. Katyayani – It’s the most violent form of Devi, and she is worshipped as Parvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.
7. Kaalaratri – It’s believed that Parvati removed her pale skin to kill demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. This day is dedicated to celebrating her victory over evil.
8. Mahagauri – This day is believed to be the most important. On this day, Durga took Chandi’s avatar to kill the demon Mahishasura.
9. Siddhidatri – Siddhidatri is Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. She sits on a Lotus and has four hands, also known as Mahalakshmi. This day is as important as the eighth day, and some states even observe an animal sacrifice on this day.
Regional celebrations
The festival is widely celebrated across the country but is most famous in West Bengal and neighbouring states like Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar. Also, it is celebrated in Central and Western parts of the country, including some places in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
In most states, people worship idols of Goddess Durga, where they build huge Pandals and decorate streets with lighting and garlands. People observe a fast on all nine days and do Kanya Pujan, worshipping minor girls and offering them prasad, food and sweets.
In states like Gujarat, people show their joy by participating in Garbas and dandiya (a traditional dance form). In eastern states, people mostly worship her Mahakali avatar and sacrifice animals.
Fasting rules
It’s not compulsory to keep a fast for all nine days, but if you keep it, follow these rules.
- Most people remain empty during the day and eat regular food at night.
- You are allowed to have all kinds of fruits and dry fruits with vegetables like Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Lemon, Spinach, Carrots, etc.
- You can also have peanuts and all milk products like curd or more.
- Avoid Onions, Garlic, Meat, Alcohol, Smoking, aerated drinks and most spices.
You may completely avoid having regular food and go on a fruit diet, or you may have food once a day. It depends on your choice, but please make sure to follow the rules mentioned above to have a successful fast.
How to worship?
Durga is a divine energy source; worshipping her requires extreme care; you must do a Ghat sthapna and follow many rules for all nine days. It is difficult for an individual to complete the required steps, and it’s recommended to invite a priest to do the puja correctly.
If you are unwilling to follow the difficult way, you can also worship her normally at home. Follow these steps.
- Keep a fast for all nine days, and make sure you follow all rules.
- Wake up early and take a bath. Each day has its colour, if possible, wear those colours of clothes.
- Go to a temple and offer Jal to the goddess (holy water).
- Worship her normally at home and do a Kanya Pujan on the eighth day. Invite minor girls to your home, worship them and offer food.
- On the ninth day, visit a temple, provide the offerings, do a small puja, yagna and donate to the needy.
You must take utmost care on all nine days and religiously follow all steps mentioned in this article.
Conclusion
In 2024 we will observe a Navratri from Thursday, 3 October, to Friday, 11 October. The streets will be decorated, people will experience a sense of positivity, and the celebrations will be all around.
This occasion comes once a year, and you must enjoy it at your best. But, please take some time to worship the goddess and know more about her teachings that you may implement to live a better life.
Every festival teaches us something, but learning is always in our hands. Have a Happy Navratri, and don’t forget to pass on the information that you just enjoyed reading.
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