Significance
The festival commemorates the famous fight
between Durga and the demon Mahishasura, and it celebrates the triumph of Good
over Evil. Goddess Durga and her eight Avatars - the Navadurga – are the
exclusive focus of these nine days. Each day is linked with a goddess
incarnation:
Day 1 – Shailaputri
This day is known as Pratipada (first day)
and is linked with Parvati's incarnation Shailaputri (literally "Daughter
of Mountain"). The Goddess is revered as Shiva's bride in this form; she
is shown riding the bull Nandi and holding a trishula in her right hand and a
lotus in her left. Mahakali is regarded as the direct manifestation of
Shailaputri. Grey is the colour of the day, and it represents movement and
strength.
Day 2 – Brahmacharini
Goddess Brahmacharini, another avatar of
Parvati, is adored on Dwitiya (the second day). Yogini was Parvati's unmarried
self in this incarnation. Brahmacharini is revered for her ability to grant
liberation, or moksha, as well as serenity and wealth. She represents bliss and
tranquilly by going barefoot and holding a japamala (rosary) and a kamandala
(pot) in her hands. This day's colour scheme is blue. The colour orange, which
represents serenity, is sometimes utilised, yet tremendous energy is present
throughout.
Day 3 – Chandraghanta
The worship of Chandraghanta is
commemorated on Tritiya (the third day), which gets its name from the fact that
after marrying Shiva, Parvati decorated her forehead with the ardhachandra
(lit. half-moon). She is the personification of beauty as well as a sign of
bravery. The third day's colour is white, which is a vibrant hue that may lift
anyone's spirits.
Day 4 – Kushmanda
On Chaturthi, Goddess Kushmanda is
worshipped (fourth day). Kushmanda, the universe's creative power, is connected
with the endowment of flora on Earth, and so the colour of the day is Red. She
is portrayed with eight arms and is seated atop a tiger.
Day 5 – Skandamata
Skandamata, the goddess revered on Panchami (the fifth day), is
Skanda's mother (or Kartikeya). The hue Royal Blue is representative of a
mother's changing strength when her kid is in peril. She is portrayed as having
four arms, riding a fierce lion, and holding her kid.
Day 6 – Katyayani
She is an incarnation of Durga and is
portrayed to demonstrate courage, which is signified by the colour Yellow. She
was born to sage Katyayana and is an incarnation of Durga. She is known as the
warrior goddess and is one of Devi's most ferocious manifestations. Ktyyan
rides a lion and has four hands in this avatar. Parvati, Mahalakshmi, and
Mahasaraswati are all forms of her. On Shashtami, she is honoured (sixth day).
Day 7 – Kaalaratri
Kalaratri, the most fierce manifestation
of Goddess Durga, is honoured on Saptami. Parvati is said to have lost her fair
skin in order to destroy the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. Green is the colour of
the day. With a lot of wrath in her flaming gaze, the Goddess emerges in a
crimson coloured clothing or tiger hide, and her skin goes black. The crimson
hue represents prayer and assures followers that the Goddess would keep them
safe. On Saptami, she is honoured (seventh day)
Day 8 – Mahagauri
Mahagauri is a symbol of wisdom and serenity.
It is said that after taking a dip in the Ganga river, Kaalaratri's skin
lightened dramatically. The colour Peacock Green, which represents optimism, is
linked with this day. On Ashtami, she is honoured (eighth day).
Day 9 – Siddhidatri
People pray to Siddhidhatri
on the festival's final day, also known as Navami (ninth day). She is said to
possess and grant all sorts of Siddhis while sitting on a lotus. She has four
hands in this picture. The purple hue of the day, also known as Mahalakshmi,
expresses respect for nature's beauty. Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife, is
Sidhidatri. Siddhidhatri is also known as Shiva's and Shakti's Ardhanarishvara
form. One side of Lord Shiva's body is said to be that of Goddess Siddhidatri.
As a result, he is sometimes referred to as Ardhanarishwara. Lord Shiva
obtained all the siddhis by adoring this Goddess, according to Vedic texts.
Benefits
Fasting not only strengthens our faith, but it also improves our health.
Not only can the mind be soothed, but the body may also be maintained
disease-free by regulating the food. Doctors also believe that fasting one day
a week is good to one's health. If done correctly, those who fast for nine days
during Navratri can stay healthy throughout the year. Fasting provides not only
bodily benefits, but also spiritual calm, as well as relief from mental stress
and other issues. Fasting is a holistic approach to physical, mental, and
spiritual well-being.Deity-
Maa Durga
Types
In a year, there are four Navratris, although only two are generally
observed: Chaitra Navratri (March-April) and Sharad Navratri (October-November)
(October-November). Hindu worshippers fast for nine days during Navratris to
appease and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga. The amount of days that must
be fasted might vary.
Rituals
Navratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga,
also known as Shakti. It is observed with great religious zeal by the Hindu
population in various areas of the nation. In Hinduism, the nine-day festival
of Navratri is held in high regard, and followers of Goddess Durga observe a
variety of rituals throughout this time. They begin the ceremonies by fasting
for nine days and nights, then chanting devotional songs throughout the holy
nine nights. People go to temples and other religious sites to worship to the
mother deities in order to receive their complete blessings. One of the
religious practises during Navratri (particularly in India) is to feed
sweetmeats (bhog) to little girls.
Worshipers also place various Goddess statues inside their
personal temples for nine days. The Navratri festival is marked by fasting and
prayer. The house is cleansed before the celebrations begin in order towelcome
the Goddess into their home. The devotees who do the puja fast for the entire
nine days. Only ‘satvik' foods like as potatoes, ‘kuttu ka atta,' curd, and
fruits are permitted during the fast. Non-vegetarian foods, as well as the
usage of onion and garlic, should be avoided at all costs. During the Navratri season,
in addition to keeping rigorous dietary discipline, a person should also keep a
close eye on their behaviour. Devotees devote entire days to worshipping the
Goddess and reciting the Navratri mantras.
The fast is broken on the
ninth day after the ‘havan’ and the Prasad, after offering to the Goddess, is
eaten along with other members of the family.
Story/Katha
According to the Navratri fasting legend, Brihaspati ji once
expressed his desire to understand the significance of Navratri, which falls in
the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra and Ashwin month in front of Brahma, and asked,
"What is the result of this fast, and how is it done?" Who was the
first to notice this fast? Explain everything in great detail. In response to
Brihaspatiji's inquiries, Brahma replied, "O Jupiter!" You've posed a
great question based on your concern for the well-being of all living things.
The individual who meditates on the benevolent mother Durga, Mahadev, Surya,
and Narayan is blessed. This Navratri fast will grant all of your requests. The
son obtains happiness, riches, wisdom, and contentment by following this
fast.The illness is healed by observing this quickly. In the house, prosperity
grows, the bride receives a son. All sins are removed. He suffers from numerous
sufferings who does not observe Navratri quickly. When a quick-watching
individual cannot fast all day long, eat one meal at a time and hear about the
10-day fast of Navratri with the bandhavas. Oh, Thursday! Oh, Thursday! I'll
tell you the storey of the person who played this Mahavrata before.
Brahmaji stated - An orphan Brahmin, called Pithat in Manohar
Nagar, lived in ancient times, he was Maa Durga's follower. He was born with
all the virtues of a very beautiful girl named Sumati. The girl started growing
up so that the phase of the moon in the Shukla Paksha, while she played with
her friends at the residence of her father. She would have been consistently
present at the time every day her father would do the house after she worshipped
Durga. Sumati was one day unable to attend Bhagwati's devotion. Her dad was
upset with the daughter and began to say to the daughter, "Oh evil
daughter."
As a result of your failure to worship Bhagwati today, I will
marry you to a leprosy sufferer or a poor person.
Sumati became depressed after hearing her father speak, and she
began to say to him, "O father!" I am your daughter, and I am
completely dependent on you. Do anything you want with me. Do what is written
in my destiny, whether you want to marry me with whoever you want, whether you
want to marry a king, a wretch, or a poor person, since it is under man to do
labour, but it is under God to provide fruits.
When the little girl heard the words frighteningly, that brahmin
became upset, went into wrestles with his daughter, got angry and began to
yell, "Oh Daughter!" Take advantage of the results of your activities
and discover what you do with luck. Hearing her father's angry comments, Sumati
began to think - Aha! I have such a husband because of my big tragedy. Then,
given her anguish, the girl walked with her husband to the forest and spent the
night in this deserted woodland in severe pain.Seeing that impoverished girl in
such a state, Goddess Bhagwati appeared to Sumati via the impact of her
previous goodness and said to her, "O humble brahmin!" I am pleased
with you, and you may request whatever favour you desire. Hearing Bhagwati
Durga's words, the Brahmin exclaimed, "Who are you, telling me all
this?" Hearing the Brahmin's words, the Goddess declared, "I am the Adi
Shakti Bhagwati, Brahmavidya, and Saraswati." When I am joyful, I
alleviate the pain of the creatures and bring them joy. Greetings, brahmin! I
am happy with the influence of your former birth's goodness on you.
Listen as I tell you about your past birth!In the previous birth,
you were a Nishad's wife and exceedingly religious. Your Nishad spouse stole
one day. You both were arrested by the troops and imprisoned in prison because
of the robbery. You and your spouse have not even been given food. Therefore
you had no food or drink throughout Navratri, so Navratri was fasted nine days.
Oh brahmin! Oh brahmin! When the rapid event took place during those days, I
offer you the bounty you want, ask for what you want. The Brahmin therefore
heard the Durga's remarks, and then O Durga, if you're happy with me. Please
take my husband's leprosy away, I kneel to you.The goddess answered,
"Offer one day's virtue of the fast that you had followed in those days to
eliminate your husband's leprosy, and your spouse would be cured as a result of
that virtue." Thus, the Brahmin was happy to hear the goddess's words, and
when she spoke them to her husband with the intention to heal him, her
husband's body was cleansed of leprosy by Goddess Durga's favour. She began worshipping
the goddess after seeing her brahmin spouse - O Durga! You are the one who
takes away calamities, the one who puts an end to the sufferings of the three
worlds, the one who takes away all sorrows, cures the ill, makes people joyful,
bestows the sought gift, and eliminates the wicked.Hey Ambe! Hey Ambe! Ambe!
After my dad married a bad man, my innocent Abla was kicked out of the family.
I wander in the desolate woodland despised by my father, O goddess, You've
spared me from this disaster. You guard me, I salute. The Goddess was delighted
to hear Brahmin praise and to say "O brahmin!" TereUdalaya was born
shortly into a highly clever, rich and renowned son. The goddess said again to
the brahmin by providing such a blessing that whatever other thing you desire,
ask for it. O Bhagwati Durga, Sumati exclaimed! Please express the method of
Navratri fasting to me if you are happy with me.Mother Durga exclaimed, "O
Brahmin!" when she heard the Brahmin's remarks. I will teach you how to
eliminate all sins from your life by fasting for nine days from the Pratipada
of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month; if you are unable to fast for the entire
day, take one meal at a time. Create a Ghat at an auspicious period, plant a
garden, and irrigate it with water on a regular basis. Install Mahakali,
Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati idols and worship them according to their
traditions. The shape is obtained by giving arghya made from Bijora's fruit.
Fame is gained by providing arghya with nutmeg, success is attained by wine,
pleasure is attained by amla, and decorations are attained by offering arghya
with banana.This would allow rites to be done after Arghya has been offered
flowers and fruit, following the fast, on the ninth day. Havan is made with
many components, such as hand, ghee, wheat, dark cream, barley, til, bilva
(Bael), coconut, dakha and kadamba. You gain fama from Amla and you get a son
from Banana, you receive royal esteem from Lotus and you obtain richness from
wines. It is the desired thing that you make home using Khand, Ghee, Coconut,
Honey and Barley and Sesame fruits. The one who observes the quick must adore
the Acharya with the highest humility and give him Dakshina to achieve the
Yagya.
There is no question that
the technique outlined in this way fulfils all of the desires of the individual
who observes the fast. Whatever generosity is offered throughout these nine
days reaps billions of dollars. The fruits of AshwamedhaYagya are gained by
following this Navratri fast. Greetings, brahmin! If all of these desires are
granted, the best fast should be observed at a pilgrimage, temple, or at home,
according to the method. After teaching the brahmin about the Navratri fasting
practise, Brahma ji told Brihaspati ji that the goddess got ardent. As a
result, the person who observes this fast with dedication achieves satisfaction
in this life and, eventually, salvation."That is the magnificence of this
uncommon quick I've informed you," Brahma Ji informs Brihaspati ji. When
Brihaspati ji heard this, he was happy and began to exclaim, "O
Brahman!" You were extremely sweet to me, who informed me how important
that quickly was. Oh Jupiter! That's what Brahma ji said! Who knows the impact
of this Mahadevi, this deity of Bhagwati, is the keeper in all the worlds? Tell
Goddess Bhagwati's praises.
Aarti
Jai AmbeGauri , Maya Jai Shyama Gauri. NishidinDhyavat to you, Hari
Brahma Shivri. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Demand vermilion, tiko to mrigmad. Dou Naina
from Ujjwal, Chandravadan Niko. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Like Kanak, Raktambara Rajai.
Blood flower garland, like on the throat Om Jai Ambe Gauri Kehri Vehicle Rajat,
KhadgKhappardhari. Sur-Nara-Muni-Jana Sevat, straws are sad. Om Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanan coil embellished, nasogray pearl. Kotik Chandra Diwakar, Sam Rajat Jyoti
Om Jai Ambe Gauri Shumbha-Nishumbhabidare, MahishasurGhati. DhumrVilochanNaina,
NishidinMadmati. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Cut off the hair, the shorn seeds are green.
Do you kill Madhu-Katabh, make the tone fearless. Om Jai Ambe Gauri
BrahmaniRudrani you are Kamala Rani. Aagam-Nigam-Bakhani, you are the wife of
Shiva. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Sixty-four Yogini Mangal Gaavat, Bhairun dancing.
Bajat Tal Mridanga, Aru BajatDamru Om Jai Ambe Gauri You are the mother of the
world, you are the only one. Removes the sorrow of the devotee, brings wealth
and happiness. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Arm four very decorated, wearing a boar-mudra.
The desired fruit is received, serving male-female. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Kanchan
ThalVirajat, if camphor wicks. Rajat in Srimalketu, Koti Ratan Jyoti. Om Jai
Ambe Gauri Aarti of Shri Ambeji, who is a male village. KahatShivanand Swami,
get happiness and wealth. Om Jai Ambe Gauri Om Jai Ambe Gauri
Mantra
नवरात्रिमेंमांकीकृपापानेकेलिएयेकामकरें... नवार्णमंत्र 'ॐऐंह्रींक्लींचामुण्डायैविच्चै' काजापअवश्यकरें।इनदिनोंमेंदुर्गासप्तशतीकापाठअवश्यकरें।पौराणिककथाकेअनुसार, दक्षप्रजापतिनेअपनेयहांमहायज्ञमेंअपनेजमाताभगवानशिवऔरपुत्रीसतीकोछोड़करसभीदेवी-देवताओंकोआमंत्रितकिया।
How to fast and break
Devi Mahatmya, sung Shlocas, hymns, each of the nine shapes of the Maa
Durga, together named the Navdurga must be read by devotes (meditation). During
the Navratri nine days, the Vrati (one holding fast) must prevent garlic,
onion, wheat, rice, lentils and meat.
Food
·
Sabudana Khichdi
·
Kuttu Ka Dosa
·
Singhareke Atte ka Samosa
·
Aloo ki Kadhi
Low Fat Makhana Kheer
Date & Time
Chaitra Navratri Parana Date and ShubhMuhurat
Chaitra Navratri Parana Tithi: 22 April Thursday
Navami Date Start: 21 April Wednesday, 12:43 am in the morning.
Navami Tithi Closing:
Thursday, April 22, till 12:35 in the morning.
Dos/ Don’ts
In doing so, make sure that the house is clean (Cleanliness).
Don't into the home carry filthy shoes and slippers. Do not use household
leather goods. Clean clothing and stay at home barefoot.
Food care during Navratri is highly important. Therefore, if owing
to any sickness or physical reasons, you cannot remain fast for nine days, you
only take satwik meal each day.
Even throughout Navratri's nine days, do not eat meat liquéfied
(Avoid Non Veg). In domestically prepared meals, even onion and garlic should
not (Avoid onion and garlic). The category of tamasic food include these
things. Therefore, during Navratri only consume satvic cuisine.
Do not make these mistakes during Chaitra
Navratri
If you've founded a kalash in Navratri's house or lighted an
achandjyot during the Navratri, then do not leave the house unoccupied for nine
days. The mother becomes upset about that.
Not only those who keep fast during the Chaitra Navratri but the
usual folks must not trim their hair, must not bear any moustache, even the
infant should not be rasped. These activities are regarded as ineffective and
the Goddess of the Mother might be displeased.
In the nine days of Navratri, Mother Rani should be called upon to
give whole attention to her worship according to religious texts. It is very
vital that you observe celibacy throughout this period and have no physical
relationship.
During Chaitra Navratri, avoid wearing black clothing. You should
not sleep throughout the day in the Navratri, according to Vishnu Purana.
