Navratri is a festival popularly known as the festival of worship and dance. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit; Nava meaning Nine and Ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi, ie female divinity, are worshiped. The nine-day festival of Navratri is held in honor of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga.
The religious meaning behind the celebration of Navratri is that the nine days are divided and dedicated to the Trinity of God worshiped in feminine form.
In Hindu mythology, the festival is greatly celebrated around the world as the victory of good over evil when the goddess Shakti (Maa Durga) slew the buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura, after a nine day long battle and the night of the tenth day, which is celebrated as Vijaya Dashmi Such worship of the Mother Goddess is unique to Hinduism. Dusshera is also celebrated on the same day that Lord Rama with the blessings of Maa Durga has won over Ravana. The festival also marks the arrival of the winter season, a period when nature undergoes various climatic changes. Goddess Shakti in the nine forms, Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmachaarini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmaanda, Skanda Maa, Maa Kaatyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri and Maa Sidhidaarti is worshiped during these nine days for her good health, wealth, prosperity, knowledge and auspiciousness. .
Navratri in 2009 will start from the 19th to the 27th of September.
Rituals to perform Puja during Navratri
Navratri puja is very simple and not very complicated. One can easily observe fasting; even if one cannot observe the fast, one can simply recite the mantra “Om Ang Haring Kalimg Shreeng Maha Durgay Namah”. One should carefully work on his aahar (food), vyavhaar (behavior) and acharan (character) during Navratri time.
Aahar – Non-vegetarian foods should always be avoided and “Satvik” foods such as fruits, Kutu Ka Aata, Singara Ka Aata, curd and potatoes should be consumed. The use of onion and garlic should be avoided.
Vyavhaar and Acharan: During the Navratri festival, all devotees are required to worship the female deity with spiritual emotion (bhav)
Here is the method to perform Navratri Puja
Have your house clean and ready. You are inviting the Goddess into the house. Usually this is done on Amavasya, one day before the start of Navratri.
On the first day of Navaratri, a small bed of mud (taken from any auspicious place) is prepared in the puja room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. In this Bed a Kalash made of Earth/Copper is kept and filled with water. A bowl full of rice is kept on top of the pot. A dried coconut wrapped with mango leaves is placed on top of this kalash. This Kalash is believed to be a symbolic form of the goddess Durga. Holding kalash one invokes the goddess in the Kalash.
On the tenth day, the shoots are 3 to 5 inches long. After puja, these seedlings are dug up and given to devotees as a blessing from God. This Kalash must not be touched during the nine days. A diya is lit near this Kalash which is supposed to burn continuously for nine days. This is known as Akhand Jyoti.
Many people believe that the duration of the outbreak determines the amount of income they will have in the next six months. This belief could be because India is basically an agrarian economy where the productivity of the land determines income.
Mahaashtami
The day begins with a recital of Sanskrit hymns by devotees; offer prayer to the goddess. Kumari Puja or the worship of little girls as the mother goddess is a special part of the rituals observed in various traditional and household pujas.
mahanavami
The Navratri festival culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine youths who represent the nine forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped. Their feet are washed as a show of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered food consisting mainly of kala chana, halwa and poori along with pieces of coconut and dakshina (money) and red chunri is offered to the kanjaks.
Vijaya Dashami
After the nine days of Puja, on Dashami, the last day also called Vijaya Dashami, devotees carry the images of Goddess Durga in processions around the town and finally dip them in a nearby river or lake.
Navratri Colors
Durga Navratri is the most sacred and celebrated festival season in India which has a unique color tradition. Colors also play a vital role during this festival. People should choose colors according to each aspect of Devi. The colors represent the nine avatars or incarnations or manifestations of Goddess Durga Maa.
1st day
The first day is contributed to Durga Shailputri. She is the daughter of Himalaya and the first among nine Durgas to hold a trishul in her right hand and a flower in her left hand. The use of white/red color will be auspicious on this day.
2nd day
The second day means Durga Brahamcharini. Here “Brahma” means “Tapa”. The idol of this Goddess is believed to be very beautiful giving the message of love to the whole world. There is a rosary (mala) in her right hand and Kamandal in her left hand. She is full of praise. People can wear saffron/peach/light yellow on the day
3rd day
The third day is Durga Chandraghanta. The Goddess establishes justice everywhere and wears a crescent moon on her forehead. She is charming and bright, she is sitting on Lion and ready to go to war to fight. She is a picture of unprecedented bravery. Wearing White/Red color on this day would be very fruitful for devotees.
4th day
Dedicated to Durga Kushmanda, the day represents the source of provision of basic needs for all. This form of Durga is said to be the creator of the universe. People should wear the color blue/white/saffron on this day.
5th day
The fifth day of Navratri means Durga Skanda. The Goddess grants the world the gift of differentiation between good and evil. Wearing green, red or white colored clothing will be auspicious for devotees.
6th day
The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Durga Katyayani. Maa Katyayani is believed to persistently fight evil and deceitful entities. Red/white color should be used to wear this day.
7th day
The seventh day of Navratri is dedicated to Durga Kalratri. Kalaratri is one of the fiercest forms of Durga and her appearance itself evokes fear. This form of Goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demonic entities. Blue/red/white color should be used to wear this day.
8th day
The eighth day of Navratri signifies the Maha Gauri aspect of Goddess Durga. Durga Ashtami Puja is held in many parts of India. Wearing red/saffron/yellow/white/pink color would be auspicious for devotees on this day.
ninth day
Dedicated to the Goddess Siddhidatri form of Durga, the day is also observed as Mahanavami in many parts of the country. This form of Goddess Durga pours out knowledge that makes every soul pure. People can wear red/white color on this day.