Navratri – Shardiya Navratri 2024

The festival of Shardiya Navratri is celebrated from Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month to Navami. The nine days of Navratri are considered best for worshiping Shakti. This festival provides an opportunity to spiritually awaken people and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga.

Why is Navratri celebrated for 9 Days?

Shardiya Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana and the last day is celebrated as Vijaya “Vijayadashami” (Dussehra), in which Lord Rama defeated Lankapati Ravana and Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura. According to the legend, Goddess Durga fought with the demon Mahishasura for nine days and then killed him on Navami night. From that time Goddess Mata is known as ‘Mahishasurmardini’. Since then, while observing the Navratri fast dedicated to the power of Maa Durga, her 9 forms are worshipped.

Navratri 9 Devi

Day 1 Navratri – Maa Shailputri

Day 2 Navratri – Maa Brahmacharini

Day 3 Navratri – Maa Chandraghanta

Day 4 Navratri – Maa Kushmanda

Day 5 Navratri – Maa Skandamata

Day 6 Navratri – Maa Katyayani

Day 7 Navratri – Maa Kalratri

Day 8 Navratri – Maa Mahagauri

Day 9 Navratri – Maa Siddhidatri

Kalash Sthapana Vidhi – Ghatasthapana

• During Navratri, Kalash is established before invoking the Gods and Goddesses. First of all, put some soil in a big earthen vessel and put sorghum seeds in it. Now put some soil in this earthen vessel again and then add the seeds. After that put all the soil in the vessel and then add seeds and add some water.

• Now tie Mauli on the Kalash. Also, apply tilak. After this fill the Kalash with Ganga water. Add betel nut, perfume, Durva grass, Akshat, and coin to this Ganges water.

• Now place 5 Ashoka leaves on the edges of this Kalash. Now take a coconut and wrap it in a red cloth or red chunni. Keep some money in it along with the chunni. After this, tie this coconut and sardine with Raksha Sutra.

• After preparing all three things, clean the ground thoroughly and place an earthen vessel containing barley on it. Place an earthen urn on it and then place a coconut on it.

• Your Kalash installation has been completed. After this, invoke all the Gods and Goddesses and perform Navratri puja as per the rituals.

Navratri Puja Vidhi

Wake up early in the morning and take a bath, then purify the place of worship by pouring Ganga water on it. Light a lamp in the home temple. Anoint Maa Durga with Ganga water. Offer Akshat, vermilion, and red flowers to the Goddess, and offer fruits and sweets as Prasad. Light incense and lamps recite Durga Chalisa and then perform the Aarti. Offer food to the Goddess also. Keep in mind that only virtuous things are offered to the Goddess.

Story of Navratri

Two mythological stories related to Shardiya Navratri are quite popular. According to the first story, a demon named Mahishasura had pleased Lord Brahma and asked for a boon from him that no god, demon, or human living on earth could kill him. After receiving this boon, Mahishasur started creating terror. To stop his terror, Maa Durga was born. There was a war between Maa Durga and Mahishasura for nine days and on the tenth day, Maa Durga killed Mahishasura.

According to the second story, when Lord Rama was going to attack Lanka, before that he worshiped Goddess Bhagwati. Lord Ram worshiped the Goddess in Rameshwar for nine days and being pleased with his devotion, the Goddess Bhagwati blessed him for victory. On the tenth day, Ram ji defeated Ravana and conquered Lanka. Since then the festival of Vijayadashami has been celebrated.

Kanya Pujan Vidhi

While worshiping girls, first of all, their feet should be washed with pure water. After that make them sit on a clean seat. Offer Satvik food like kheer, puri, gram, halwa, etc. to the Goddess and feed the girls. After serving delicious food to the girls, give them tilak and tie the Raksha Sutra on their wrists. Go around and touch his feet and bid him farewell by giving him clothes, fruits, and Dakshina as per your capacity. In this way, by worshiping the girl at the festival of Navratri, devotees can get the blessings of the Goddess.

Wrapping up

During the nine days of Navratri, we worship Goddess Durga to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga, which brings happiness and prosperity in life by eliminating fear, obstacles, and enemies. Goddess Durga resides in these girls. Kanya Puja can be done on any day or any time during the Navratri festival. But Ashtami and Navami are considered best for worshiping girls. If you also want to know more about Kanya Puja, you can take an online astrology consultation.