It’s the 6th of April, 2019. The weather is quite unruly with most of us in the mood to eat something lighter on the stomach. Mothers are officially having their second safaai abhiyaan of the year, courtesy of the Hindu New year that begins with Chaitra Navratri. While our homes are already lit with the spirit of celebration and smell of pakwaan, people across India are gearing up for one of the most powerful time in the Hindu calendar.
Navratri, the celebration of nine days is committed to Goddess Durga and her nine structures. The nine days have incredible religious relevance as Goddess Durga’s battle between her and the demon Mahishasura, who represents egotism. All the nine days of the festival are dedicated to each distinct avatar of the goddess; and each of these days has a significant colour attached to it, which devotees are expected to wear while taking part in the festivities Chaitra Navratri, also the change of season and is believed to help in physical, mental and spiritual aspects, in order to gain good health and happiness. This year, the festival will be celebrated from April 6 and will continue till April 14.
Navratri is celebrated five times a year. There is Vasanta or Chaitra Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, Sharad Navaratri, Paush Navaratri and Magha Navaratri. Among these, Vasanta Navaratri (which falls sometime in March-April) and Sharad Navaratri (that is celebrated during September-October) are both celebrated with great fervor.
During these nine holy days, Hindu goddess Shakti (power) is worshipped and prayers are offered to her. The celebrations also mark the start of the Hindu New Year as per the Luni-solar calendar, and people in Maharastra celebrate it as Gudi Padwa, while Kashmiri Hindus observe it as Navreh.
The festival is also celebrated in southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka as Ugadi. The nine-day festival, which is also known as Rama Navratri, ends on Rama Navami, Lord Ram’s birthday. During Chaitra Navratri people also fast and worship the Goddess Durga. They also perform Ghatasthapana, the invocation of goddess Shakti, which is a significant ritual followed during the period. Navratri also celebrates calmness and peacefulness in the form of Maha Gauri Mata.
What does folklore say?
In the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama and Lakshmana prayed for nine days and performed yagna on the last day to seek blessings of Maa Shakti. The blessings helped them to release Mother Sita from Ravana’s captivity. Another legend says that once there was a prince named Sudarshan who prayed to Maa Shakti and emerged victoriously. To thank the goddess, the Prince performed a yagna and hence this day is celebrated as Chaitra Navratri.
Chaitra Navratri therefore celebrates ten forms of Maa Shakti namely Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagadamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani, and Mookambika. Also, the nine-day festival worships the nine incarnations of Durga namely Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Customs and rituals followed during Sharada Navratri are followed on Chaitra Navratri as well.
How is the Puja done?
The puja is performed in the evening, where the idol or image of Maa Shakti is placed on an altar and is decorated with flowers. Different types of bhog are offered to the goddess and are later distributed to the invitees. Betel leaves, nuts, coconut, and fruits are also offered to the goddess.
Devotees observe fast during Navratri to seek blessings of Maa Durga. The whole-day fast is concluded in the evening after offering prayers and prasad to the goddess. This continues for nine days. Other activities besides fasting and performing pujas, are chanting Vedas, stotras, hymns, songs, visiting temples and doing charity deeds. Devotees are also advised to avoid consumption of alcohol, non-vegetarian, onion, garlic, grains, wheat, and spicy food. Satvik Bhojan is preferred during these nine days.
Important dates & days
Day 1 (Pratipada)
April 6 (Saturday): Ghatasthapana – Shailputri Puja
Day 2 (Dwitya)
April 7 (Sunday): Brahmacharini Puja
Day 3 (Tritiya)
April 8 (Monday): Chandraghanta Puja
Day 4 (Chaturthi)
April 9 (Tuesday): Kushmanda Puja
Day 5 (Panchami)
April 10 (Wednesday): Skandamata Puja
Day 6 (Shashthi)
April 11 (Thursday): Katyayani Puja
Day 7 (Saptami)
April 12 (Friday): Kalaratri Puja
Day 8 (Ashtami)
April 13 (Saturday): Sandhi Puja
Day 9 (Navami)
April 14 (Sunday): Navratri Parana, Siddhidatri Puja
Kanya Bhoj is done on the ninth day of Navratri, where young girls are invited for bhoj and are seen as an avatar of the goddess.
People worship the goddess and observe a fast for these entire 9 days and consume “satvik” food like milk, potatoes, curd and fruits. Some even chant the Navratri mantras. On the ninth day, the fast is broken after the ‘havan’ . The prasad, after being offered to the Goddess, is then distributed among the family members.
HAPPY NAVRATRI!
