Sharad Navratri ‘24 : Celebrate The Devoutness Navratri : Nine Days Of 'Divinity' - From 3rd of October ‘24 (Thursday) to 12th of October ‘24 (Saturday)

Navratri is the celebration of the Supreme Mother Goddess Devi Durga. Devi Durga is the only feminine goddess that has a school of Hinduism dedicated to her worship. They worship the goddess as Shakti or the divine energy and the school is called Shaakt. Not only the Shaakt school but common Hindu and Sikh devotees also worship the Goddess as the Supreme power that creates, sustains, and even destroys the universe.

Unlike the Hindu trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh who respectively creates, sustains, and destroys the life or life forms, The Supreme Goddess alone does the duty of creation, sustenance, and destruction. Therefore, her devotees strictly believe that the Supreme Mother has all the power of the universe and even commands the trinity. Her single-minded devotion can fulfil the worldly as well as the spiritual longings of her devotees.

Significance and importance of "Navratri":

Navratri translates into 9 nights. It is a 9 days long festival which celebrates the different manifestations of Goddess Durga. The Navratri is observed four times a year during different seasons. The four Navratris are named after the Hindu seasons and months they fall in — Magha (Winter), Chaitra (Spring), Ashadha (Monsoon), and Sharad (Autumn).

Out of which only the Chaitra and Sharad are celebrated by commoners. The rest of the two Navratri are gupt Navratris or secret Navratri which are observed by the saints and shamans. The commoners are not allowed to observe the gupt Navratri.

Navratri is the time which is dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga and as the divine mother is both Maya (materialism) and Shakti, she can fulfil materialistic and spiritual desires.

The materialistic devotees worship mothers by worshipping the nine forms of Devi Durga. The spiritual devotees meditate on the chakras associated with the nine forms of the Goddess. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess during midnight whilst keeping the focus on the chakras quickly awakens the kundalini of the devotees.

For the mundane worshippers, the worshipping of the goddess blesses the devotees with all kinds of riches and prosperity.

Significance of "Navratri" festival in India

Navratri festival is one of the biggest festivals of the majority of Indians. Both the Chaitra and Sharad Navratri are celebrated with great pomp and show. Interestingly, both the Navratri are associated with Lord Ram.

The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated on the waxing moon of the first month of the Hindu Lunar calendar. The ninth or the last day of Navratri falls on the birthday of Lord Ram which is called Ram Navami.

Whereas the Sharad Navratri starts after Mahalaya's new moon and ends with VijayaDashami. According to Hindu texts, Mahalaya is the day when Goddess Durga was created by Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh to kill the demon Mahishasur. On the other hand, Vijayadashmi celebrates the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king, the ten-headed Ravana. However, some schools say the Goddess Durga slayed the demon king Mahishasur on Vijayadashami.

The nine nights or days are a time to celebrate and meditate on the 9 forms of Devi Durga. Each day has a special form of the Devi attached to it and the worship of the Devi Durga is done in the same order of days.

How to celebrate "Navratri"?

Since prehistoric times, Indians have worshipped the Adi Shakti. The archaeological sites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa show seals of Lingam and Shakti. Many people say that Navratri is the best time to initiate the worship of Shakti.

The 9 days of the Bhagwati worship are further divided into 3 groups of 3 days. The first 3 days are dedicated to Tamas guna Maa Kali, then 3 days are dedicated to Rajas guna Maa Laxmi and the last 3 days are dedicated to Satva guna Maa Saraswati.

The journey of 9 days begins with triumphing over the Tamasik and Rajasik pravritti or nature to reach the Satvik state of mind.

Most of the devotees read Durga Saptshati to please the Goddess. Durga Saptashati is a poem of 700 verses or Shlokas which is found in the Markandeya Purana. It is written as a dialogue between King Surath and merchant Samaadhi who come across each other while seeking refuge in the hermitage of Rishi (sage) Medha.

Reciting Durga Saptshati brings countless benefits to the reader and some of them are

• Experience of Devi’s presence at the place of recitation
• Removal of all troubles
• Prevention of natural calamities
• Removal of Poverty
• Protection from enemies, fire and kingsmen
• Protection from planetary impacts
• Protection from evil spirits
• The bestowal of wealth, prosperity, and children

The goddess is worshipped in 9 different forms. Here is the detailed description of each of the forms of Devi Maa.

1. Maa Shailputri - "Daughter of Mountain"

The first form is Maa Shailputri. She holds a lotus in her left hand and a trident in her right hand. She is a symbol of patience, composure, strength and courage. She rides the Nandi bull.

She is being mainly worshipped to begin the journey of spiritual awakening and also to understand the purpose of being.

Shailputri is associated with the Muladhara chakra. The planet moon is also associated with Maa Shailputri. Natives with a weak moon can get immense benefits by worshipping this form of Maa.

• This is also the Ghatasthapana day. The colour for this day is Yellow.
• The prasadam is pure cow ghrita or clarified butter.

2. Maa Brahmacharini - "Mother of devotion and penance"

On the second day, the Goddess appears ecstatic seeking her spiritual path. She holds a rosary in her left hand and a kamandal in her right hand. She helps the yogis to attain the supreme state of mind.

She blesses the devotees with wisdom, knowledge, loyalty and honesty. She blesses the natives with great mental balance and walks on the path of duty with great integrity.

She is associated with the Swadhisthana chakra. The planet associated is Mars, hence worshipping her eliminates the ill effects of Mars.

• The prasadam is shakkar or jaggery powder and fruits.
• The colour is Green.

3. Maa Chandraghanta - "Destroyer of demons”

On the third day, we see the Goddess appear with a crescent on her forehead which is known as Chandraghanta Devi.

She has ten hands, nine of them are armed by a trident, mace, bow, arrow, lotus, sword, bell and a waterpot, while one other hand blesses her devotees. She is seated upon a fierce tiger.

She provides mental wellness and inner peace.

The message here is that our mental health is as important as physical wellness.

She is associated with the Manipura chakra and the planet Venus. Praying to her removes the ill effects of the planet venus.

• The colour is Grey.
• Her prasadam consists of dairy products.

Justice and internal power are two important values of my life and that’s how I am aligned to this manifestation of Maa

4. Mata Kushmanda- " Daughter of the cosmic egg"

The fourth day is dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda. Kushmanda word is created with three Sanskrit words: Ku-little, sha-energy, manda-cosmic egg. Kush Amanda means who created the cosmic egg from her energy.

She represents Durga in the form of Mahashakti. She has eight hands, six of which hold a discus, mace, lotus, bow, and arrow, in one hand, she holds a sword and rosary and the two other hands carried a jar of honey and water pot. She is mounted upon the back of a lion.

She is associated with the Anahata chakra and her planet is the Sun. Praying to Maa Kushmanda removes the bad influences of the planet Sun.

She bestows the devotees with ashtasidhis and navnidhis. Her devotees are blessed with health and wealth. She brings light amidst darkness and creates harmony in every sphere of life.

• Goddess can be pleased with malpua.
• Orange  is the colour of the day.

5. Mata Skandmata- “Goddess of motherhood and mother of Skanda”

On the fifth day, the Goddess appears with a child and blesses the worshippers with a treasure of wisdom. She has four hands, two of which hold lotuses, the third holding her son, the six-headed infant Kartikeya seated on her lap, and the fourth hand grants boons to her devotees. She is seated upon the back of a lion.

She tells us that wisdom is paramount to channelise our might in a positive direction.

The devotees meditate on Vishudha chakra on this day, which represents communication and creativity. She rules over the planet, Mercury. Praying to Skandmata removes the ill effects of the planet Mercury.

• The Goddess can be pleased by offering bananas and cardamoms.
• The color of the day is White.

My naman to Devi Skandmata. She symbolizes the mother-son relationship. Worshiping her automatically includes the worship of Lord Kartikeya (in infant form).

6. Mata Katyayani- "Daughter of Sage Katyayan"

On the sixth day, the goddess appears as Mata Katyayni. She represents Durga in the warrior stage. She is adorned with heavy ornamentation on her limbs and is dressed in green and pink vestments. Her four hands carry a sword, shield, lotus and trident. She's seen seated on a fearsome lion.

She removes the hurdles for her devotees and also blesses them with conjugal bliss.

Worshipping this form of Maa helps to remove obstacles if one’s marriage is getting delayed. She teaches us that nobody can go on alone, we all need a partner and a support system. She gives you the strength to fight all sorrows, fears and diseases.

She is the goddess of the Agnya chakra and rules over the planet Jupiter. Praying to Mata Katyayani removes the obstacles created due to a malefic Jupiter.

• She is pleased with the offering of honey and desserts.
• Red is the colour of the day.

7. Mata Kaalratri- "Goddess of Auspiciousness and Courage"

On the seventh day, the goddess appears in her ferocious form.

She has three bloodshot eyes, unkempt hairs, and wears a garland of skulls around her neck, which shone like lightning. Her four hands all hold a trident, scimitar, vajra, and a cup. She is seated upon the back of a donkey as her vehicle.

She rides a donkey and breathes fire.

The goddess eradicates the negative energy from the path of her worshippers. She takes her devotees to the illuminated path of knowledge from the darkness of ignorance. She teaches us that sorrow, pain, destruction, death are truths of life and one cannot deny them. She shows us that death and destruction are important for new creation so that the cycle of life can go on.

She educates us that the negative mindset is our biggest hurdle.

She is associated with the last chakra, the Sahasraara chakra and the planet associated is Saturn. Praying to the goddess removes the obstacles created by a malefic Saturn.

• She is pleased with offering jaggery and dry fruit laddu.
• The devotees must wear Royal blue on this day.

8. Mata Mahagauri-Mahagauri - "Goddess of Beauty and Women"

The eighth day sees the goddess as a charmer with milky white skin.

She has four hands, three of which carry a trident, mini-drum, and a pink lotus while her one hand promised her devotees protection. She is seated upon a white ox.

She is known as Shwetambardhara means one who wears white attire. Maa removes the sins of her devotees and bestows them with knowledge and a calm mind.

She fulfils all the desires of her devotees and relieves them from the suffering of malefic Rahu.

The takeaway is that we can achieve our goals only with a sound mind and a sound body.

• The Goddess is pleased with an offering of coconut.
• The colour of the day is Pink.

9. Mata Siddhidatri-Siddhidhatri "Goddess of Supernatural Powers or Siddhis"

The final day of the Navratri sees the goddess Siddhidatri. She bestows the devotees with perfection and eight mythical siddhis or superpowers.

She represents Durga in her stage of reaching her highest and supreme form as Mahashakti.

Each of her four hands carry a discus, conch shell, pink lotus and a mace. She is seated upon a fully bloomed lotus.

Worshipping her removes the bad effects of the planet Ketu.

She teaches us that a perfect life needs tireless efforts with singular dedication. Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri marks a fruitful competition of the Navratri festival. Additionally, praying to Maa Siddhidatri bestows us with all types of Siddhis mentioned in the holy Shastras.

• The Goddess loves sesame seeds as her offering
• The colour of the day is Purple.

Difference between Chaitra and Sharad Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the month of Chaitra of the Hindu lunar calendar. Chaitra falls in (March or April month of Gregorian calendar). The Hindu new year begins from Pratipada of Chaitra or from the first navratra. This year in '24, Chaitra Navratri was observed from the 9th of April ‘24 (Tuesday) to the 17th of April ‘24 (Wednesday).

Next year, we will be celebrating Chaitra Navratri from the 30th of March ‘25 (Sunday) to the 7th of April ‘25 (Monday).

Sharad Navratri also known as Maha Navratri is commemorated in the month of Ashwin, which falls in September or October month of Gregorian calendar. It is the most significant and celebrated Navratri across India.

The difference between both of them is that they come at different times of the year.

Chaitra Navratri comes during the spring season and Sharad Navratri in the autumn.

Why only 9 nights are chosen for Bhagwati?

The number 9 is the highest odd number and Vikram Samvat roughly has 360 days. When divided by 9 it gives 40 which is a mandala or the number of times the devotee should pray.

So the number 9 is chosen for Bhagwati.

This year, the Navratri '24 date is from the 3rd of October ‘24 (Thursday) to the 12th of October ‘24 (Saturday).

Thank you for reading. Ekohumm has been striving to throw light on the logic behind ancient traditions of India. Staying connected to our roots, understanding our rich culture and relearning about our festivals and traditions is one of the ways to keep practising our golden rituals. Navratri is one of the biggest community festivals celebrated across different parts of the country.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Navratri. May the darkness in your life fade away and you be blessed with the divine light, energy and blessings of Maa.

Do Comment and let me know about how you celebrate this festival.

If you feel life is taking unusual turns and want to understand if things are falling apart or just falling in place for you . Consulting Ekktaa for a personalised vedic astronumero reading may help you make sound decisions. You can connect via WhatsApp at +91 9614-456-456.

May Maa’s blessings remove all hurdles from your life as she eradicates the darkness from the universe….Happy Navaratri!