Navratri - Date, Pooja Timings and Fast Procedure
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About Shardiya Navratri 2024
In Hindu religion, Navratri is an auspicious time celebrated twice a year in honor of the goddess Durga. During this time of year, Hindus worship the divine feminine in the form of Parashakti. It is covered under a duration of nine days. During those nine auspicious days, Hindus pray to the idol of Parashakti, the supreme reality. Navratri falls four times a year as per the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated in the Chaitra (Spring/Vasant) month and the Ashwin month (Autumn/Sharadiya Navratri). Also, there are two hidden Navratris, they fall during the winter and monsoon (Magh/Ashadh Navratri). However, Sharadiya (Autumn) Navratri is considered to be one of the most significant. During Nine days, all the forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped, these are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. Let's get to know when Sharadiya Navratri is falling, what to do and what not to do to seek Maa Durga’s blessings:
In Hindu religion, Navratri is an auspicious time celebrated twice a year in honor of the goddess Durga. During this time of year, Hindus worship the divine feminine in the form of Parashakti. It is covered under a duration of nine days. During those nine auspicious days, Hindus pray to the idol of Parashakti, the supreme reality. Navratri falls four times a year as per the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated in the Chaitra (Spring/Vasant) month and the Ashwin month (Autumn/Sharadiya Navratri). Also, there are two hidden Navratris, they fall during the winter and monsoon (Magh/Ashadh Navratri). However, Sharadiya (Autumn) Navratri is considered to be one of the most significant. During Nine days, all the forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped, these are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. Let's get to know when Sharadiya Navratri is falling, what to do and what not to do to seek Maa Durga’s blessings:
When Navratri starts
As per Hindu Panchang, Sharadiya Navratri will commence from 3rd October 2024 and will end on 11 October 2024 on Ram Navami followed by Vijaydashmi (Dushera) on 12th October 2024. Also, let's understand about the forms of Mother Durga that are worshipped during the 9 days: Date and Days of Navratri Festivel Goddess Associated with Days Colors associated with the Divine Mother Chakras Associated First Day - October 3rd Mother Shailputri Red Root chakra Second Day - October 4 Mother Brahmacharini Orange Sacral Chakra Third Day - October 5 Mother Chandraghanta Yellow Solar Plexis Chakra Fourth Day - October 6 Mother Kushmanda Green Heart Chakra Fifth Day - October 7 Mother Skandamata Blue Throat Chakra Sixth Day - October 8 Mother Katyayani Orange Third Eye Chakra Seventh Day - October 9 Mother Kalratri Violet Crown Chakra Eight Day - October 10 Mother Siddhidatri (Durga Astami) Pink Ninth Day - October 11 Mother Mahagauri (Ram Navmi) White Tenth Day - October 12 Vijaydashmi/Durga Visarjan
As per Hindu Panchang, Sharadiya Navratri will commence from 3rd October 2024 and will end on 11 October 2024 on Ram Navami followed by Vijaydashmi (Dushera) on 12th October 2024. Also, let's understand about the forms of Mother Durga that are worshipped during the 9 days: Date and Days of Navratri Festivel Goddess Associated with Days Colors associated with the Divine Mother Chakras Associated First Day - October 3rd Mother Shailputri Red Root chakra Second Day - October 4 Mother Brahmacharini Orange Sacral Chakra Third Day - October 5 Mother Chandraghanta Yellow Solar Plexis Chakra Fourth Day - October 6 Mother Kushmanda Green Heart Chakra Fifth Day - October 7 Mother Skandamata Blue Throat Chakra Sixth Day - October 8 Mother Katyayani Orange Third Eye Chakra Seventh Day - October 9 Mother Kalratri Violet Crown Chakra Eight Day - October 10 Mother Siddhidatri (Durga Astami) Pink Ninth Day - October 11 Mother Mahagauri (Ram Navmi) White Tenth Day - October 12 Vijaydashmi/Durga Visarjan
How to perform rituals
Get up early in the morning and take a shower. Do pooja. You can do pooja by doing aarti in a temple or you can do it at home. If health allows, practice fasting. Some people choose to keep it whole Navratri or some choose to do it pair, such as first and last day before kanya pooja. There are various types of fast can be kept. Fruits can be consumed and can open their fast in the evening by eating one time only. Things made from buckwheat flour can used for opening the fast for the day.
Get up early in the morning and take a shower. Do pooja. You can do pooja by doing aarti in a temple or you can do it at home. If health allows, practice fasting. Some people choose to keep it whole Navratri or some choose to do it pair, such as first and last day before kanya pooja. There are various types of fast can be kept. Fruits can be consumed and can open their fast in the evening by eating one time only. Things made from buckwheat flour can used for opening the fast for the day.
Some Don'ts during Navratri
Do not consume meat, fish, garlic, onions, eggs, wine, intoxicants, leftovers, mushrooms, green onions, tobacco, etc even if not fasting. What all matters is keeping your mind, heart and soul pure. Never let any evil thought come to your mind. As Navratri ritual aids in purifying your soul and healing your body and mind and keeps on worshiping Goddess Durga and seeking her purest blessings.
Do not consume meat, fish, garlic, onions, eggs, wine, intoxicants, leftovers, mushrooms, green onions, tobacco, etc even if not fasting. What all matters is keeping your mind, heart and soul pure. Never let any evil thought come to your mind. As Navratri ritual aids in purifying your soul and healing your body and mind and keeps on worshiping Goddess Durga and seeking her purest blessings.
How is Navratri celebrated across Country
As India is a diverse country, Navratri is celebrated differently in different parts of India. People celebrate by worshiping wholeheartedly, dancing, performing spiritual rituals like pooja, and yagnas, and feeding the needy to honor the Mother Divine. North India In North India, Navratri often ends with Kanya Pooja on the day of Ram Navmi (autumn/chaitra), where small girls are invited as a form of Goddess Durga. During Sharadiya month, Navratri ends with Vijyadashmi, which is often known as Dusshera. Western India In Western India, Gujrataris celebrate it with their traditional dance form, Garba, where round sticks are used, and men and women dance in circles with harmony. East and North East India East and some parts of North East India celebrate Sharadiya Navratri with Durgaashtami, beautiful pandals, and stalls are set up, various rituals are followed, Aarti is performed in honor of the goddess. Each durga puja pandals offers a different theme and very captivating grand idols installed. Each day is a festival. South India Andra Pradesh has a very unique way of celebrating Navratri. The Durga Puja celebrated there is known as “Batukamma Panduga” The nine nights are for the Goddess Shakti, who brings happiness in marriage. Women create a lovely flower stack called "Batukamma" using fresh flowers.
As India is a diverse country, Navratri is celebrated differently in different parts of India. People celebrate by worshiping wholeheartedly, dancing, performing spiritual rituals like pooja, and yagnas, and feeding the needy to honor the Mother Divine. North India In North India, Navratri often ends with Kanya Pooja on the day of Ram Navmi (autumn/chaitra), where small girls are invited as a form of Goddess Durga. During Sharadiya month, Navratri ends with Vijyadashmi, which is often known as Dusshera. Western India In Western India, Gujrataris celebrate it with their traditional dance form, Garba, where round sticks are used, and men and women dance in circles with harmony. East and North East India East and some parts of North East India celebrate Sharadiya Navratri with Durgaashtami, beautiful pandals, and stalls are set up, various rituals are followed, Aarti is performed in honor of the goddess. Each durga puja pandals offers a different theme and very captivating grand idols installed. Each day is a festival. South India Andra Pradesh has a very unique way of celebrating Navratri. The Durga Puja celebrated there is known as “Batukamma Panduga” The nine nights are for the Goddess Shakti, who brings happiness in marriage. Women create a lovely flower stack called "Batukamma" using fresh flowers.
Disclaimer:
Above provided information is based on various research, facts may vary. Kindly consult before performing the rituals
Above provided information is based on various research, facts may vary. Kindly consult before performing the rituals
