Navaratri Durga Puja

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Most auspicious of all auspicious, Parvati, Who fulfils all desires|
Refuge of everything, Three-eyed, Devi(Parvati), Lakshmi, We salute you ||

Navaratri, which means ‘nine nights’ is the most celebrated Hindu festival devoted to Goddess Durga symbolizing purity and power or ‘Shakti’. The festival is celebrated at four different times a year. Magh Navaratri (aka Gupt Navaratri), Chaitra / Vasant Navaratri (aka Ram Navaratri), Ashada Navaratri and Shardiya Navaratri also known as Maha Navaratri.

For every night of the Navaratri, nine forms of Goddess Maa Durga – Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri are worshipped by the devotees.

Mythological Story Behind Navaratri

Hindus celebrate Navratri as a time to commemorate Durga’s victory against Mahishasura, the Demon.

The story starts with Lord Brahma, who bestowed Mahishasura (demon) immortality as a reward for his dedication to him. But he made a condition for this gift that only a woman could defeat him. The deal seemed fair to Mahishasura since he was confident that no woman could ever kill him.

With time, Mahishasura and his army became a formidable threat to Earth’s inhabitants, and no god was capable of defeating him.

After seeing his cruelty, the three most powerful Hindu gods – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – united and transformed themselves into Goddess Durga, the only one capable of destroying Mahishasura.

The gods provided several weapons to Durga before she faced Mahishasura.

The Demon fought with Goddess Durga for ten days, which was quite arduous for Goddess as he constantly changed his form to confuse her. Ultimately, Goddess Durga defeated that monster when he transformed himself into a buffalo.

Significance of Navaratri Durga Puja

Navaratri festivity is celebrated for nine nights, which commences on the 7th of October and ends on the 15th of October. Also known as Sharad Poornima (Navratri), this festival falls during the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. During these Nine days, Bengalis pay their respects to all 9 manifestations of the goddess Durga by celebrating Durga Pooja.

• On the 1st day of Navaratri, devotees reverent the daughter of the Himalayan Raja, Goddess Shailputri, for attaining enlightenment.
• On the 2nd day of Navaratri, devotees propitiate Goddess Brahmacharini, the unmarried manifestation of Devi Parvati. Devotees dedicate this day to meditation.
• The 3rd day of Navaratri is devoted to Goddess Chandraghanta, where Chandra is known as the moon and Ghanta as the bell. Devotees eliminate all the caprice from their minds and focus on the divine.
• On the 4th day of Navaratri, devotees revere Devi Kushmanda, also known as Pumpkin. This goddess represents the power of creative creation.
• The 5th day of Navaratri is devoted to Goddess Skandamata (Mother Of Skanda). A day of worship on this day is believed to bring luck, prosperity, wisdom, abundance, health, and power to the devotee.
• On the 6th day of Navaratri, devotees revere warrior Goddess Katyayani who exterminates all evil forces throughout the universe.
• On the 7th day of Navaratri, devotees worship Goddess Kaalratri, known as the fierce manifestation of Devi.
• The 8th day of Navaratri is devoted to Devi Mahagauri, invoking freedom and momentum in the lives of her devotees.
• The 9th day of Navaratri is devoted to Devi Siddhidatri, where siddhi denotes perfection. Devotees worship on this day to make their impossible task possible.
• The 10th day of Navaratri, known as Vijaya Dashmani, is celebrated by Navaratri havan and immersing idols in water.

Significance of 9 Colours in Navratri

Navratri Vrat Katha

There is a Katha after every puja during Navratri. 

There was an ancient Brahmin named Sunantha whose story goes like this: 

• Sunantha was a true devotee of Goddess Durga, and he worshipped her daily. 
• He was bestowed with an exquisite daughter Sumathi who was captivated by her appearance and was never attentive during the Pooja, which infuriated her parents to such an extent that they acted swiftly to punish her by marrying her off to a leprous man.
• Despite her marriage, she still believed in Durga Maa, that she would shield her from all troubles. 
• A few hours after her marriage, she entered the jungle, where the Goddess Durga encountered her. 
• The Goddess told the girl that if she wanted her husband to be healed, she must fast without water for nine nights. 
• As a result of her devotion, the girl kept the fast and led a contented life afterwards.

Navaratri Puja Samagri

These are some of the most common samagris which are required during Pooja:

Navaratri Pooja Vidhi At Home

Here’s the step-by-step Vidhi for Navaratri Pooja:

• The vidhi starts with Ghatasthapana, a ritual that entails placing the idol of Goddess Durga on a chowki surrounded by barley and clay pots. Please make sure you perform Ghatasthapana in the prescribed Muhurat. 
• The second step involves Kalash Sthapana, where the devotee should pour some sacred water into the Kalash and then place coins, flowers, Ashoka, and five mango leaves inside. Then, place a coconut wrapped in red cloth and rice on top of the lid used to cover the Kalash’s upper part.
• The third step involves lighting the Diya in front of the idols of deities and then worshipping either the Kalash or Ghat by Panchopachar (these are Naivedya, Deepak, Flower Dhoop and Scent).
• In the fourth step, Chowki Sthapana is done, where the devotee evokes the Goddess Durga and installs her. For this, the devotee should cover the chowki with red cloth. Place the idol Goddess Durga on the chowki and tie the Moli around it.
• In the fifth step, Durga Pooja is done where the devotee invokes Goddess Durga to enlighten their home by chanting necessary mantras/prayers. During the nine days of the festival, devotees pray to the Maa Durga for her presence in their homes.
• In the sixth step, the Aarti of Goddess Durga is performed, where the devotee recites Aarti joyfully with the Pooja thali and bell. Once the Aarti is concluded, offer ‘bhog’ (sweets and fruits) along with homemade Navratri recipes to family and guests.

Many devotees practice fasting in Navratri.

Benefits of Navaratri Puja

• The Navaratri Pooja is a simple yet powerful Pooja that devotees perform yearly with devotion. 
• Navaratri Pooja Vidhi is similar for Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri.
• It is believed that those who perform the puja with great enthusiasm will be endowed with abundance, prosperity, good health, fortune, peace, and happiness.

Navratri Puja Muhurat 2023

Chaitra Navratri Muhurat for 2023 will begin on 22nd March 2023 and will continue till 31st March 2023. Sharad Navratri Muhurat for 2023 will begin on 15th October 2023 and will continue till 24th October 2023.

Upcoming Navaratri Day And Dates

Chaitra Navratri Dates 2023

Sharad Navratri Festival Dates 2023