Navratri

As we all know India is a country of different religions, cultures and festivals. And we have celebrated each and every festival with great joy since ancient times. There are many significance and history behind every festival. Navaratri is one of them. It comes after Pitru Paksha when Shukla paksha starts. According to hindu mythology, Maa Durga fought with demon Mahishashur for nine days and defeated him on the 10th day. This festival is devoted to Goddess Durga for nine days and celebrates the victory over the demon by Maa Durga as Vijayadashami or Dusshera. And this victory shows the triumph of righteousness over demon or evil. In these nine days we worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Let’s know about all of these nine faces and its significance:

  • First Goddess: The first day we worship Shailputri means daughter of Mountains. The universe arises from her energy. She represents invisible waves and energy of mountains.
  • Second Goddess: Second day we worship Brahmacharini. Brahma means infinity – the power which is everywhere in this universe. She is pure and feeling of untouched energy or power that we can feel but can’t see. She is like the sun rays every day, a fresh and new beginning.
  • Third Goddess: Third day we worship Chandraghanta. Chandra means moon, the symbol of beauty. She represents energy with beauty. In this world the reason behind every beautiful thing or human being or animals is the energy of Maa Chandraghanta.
  • Fourth Goddess: Fourth day we worship Kushmanda. She is the Prana energy – the reason behind every creation. For example – without energy/prana our body is dead and with it we are alive.
  • Fifth Goddess: Skandamata is the symbol of protection with the blend of compassion, affection and certain pride. She is the mother of all wisdom that includes – knowledge, art, discipline and science. She protects us from all problems and resides inside us as our consciousness.
  • Sixth Goddess: Maa Kathyayini is the sixth form of Maa Durga. Kathyayini means Seer of everything. Everything belongs to her and the energy beyond logic and imagination is Kathyayini.
  • Seventh Goddess: Kaal Ratri is the seventh form of mother divine. It means dark night that provides peace and rejuvenates energy in a new form. As we sleep at night our body takes rest and our body is infilled with an unseen energy that prepares us ready for the next morning, this energy is Kaal Ratri. She provide comfort with energy to every living things in universe
  • Eighth Goddess: The 8th day goddess is Maha Gauri who grants knowledge, growth, success and liberation. She promotes wisdom and helps us in living a happy life and do good karmas that lead us towards ‘Moksha’. She is the purity form of energy.
  • Ninth Goddess: The ninth form of Maa Durga is ‘Siddhiratri’. She is the judge of your lifetime court. She gives the fruits of your lifetime karma. She allows us to think big and put action beyond limitations. She provides strength to fulfil our desire.

But Navaratri is much more than a festival for farmers. After monsoon the harvesting started and for a prosperous crop they seek blessings from Maa Durga.

Navaratri will be celebrated from Mon, 22 Sep, 2025– Thus, 2 Oct, 2025.

Guidance for Navaratri puja vidhi:

There are some vidhi vidhan to do puja during Navaratri to invite Maa Durga to our home. In fact according to God there is no vidhi vidhan for doing puja. According to them doing good karmas, behaving in manner and giving respect to parents and helping needy persons wholeheartedly are the real meaning of worshiping god. But as we are in society where vidhi vidhan of doing puja has been followed since ancient times, we also follow those footprints. These are some of the common and important steps for this puja:

  • Kalash Sthapana: On the first day a clay pot will be placed that is filled with water and keep mango leaves on the top of the kalash and a whole green coconut. It represents prosperity and divine energy.
  • Cleaning: Clean the area of doing puja properly. Make it with sprinkling Ganga jal.
    – Idol: Place idol of Goddess Durga.
    – Light a diya – it may be an ankhanda jyot or normal diya, it is up to you.
  • Offerings: Offer flowers, fruits, sweets and incense on a daily basis. It is believed that the nine forms of Divine Mother have different offerings according to their day.
  • Chanting: Read Durga Shaptashati or Durga Chalisa on a daily basis. You can also chant the Durga beej mantra – “Om Aim Hreem Kreem Chamudaye Vichche” and recite this mantra 108 times daily.
  • Fasting: Devotees do fasting for 9 days. They only have fruits and milk in their servings. Most of the people eat satwik food once in a day. This fasting is for deep cleansing of our soul and mind.
  • Evening Aarti: Do arti in the evening with clove and camphor to cleanse the environment. At this time the family gathers for prayers and sings traditional bhajan.
  • Kanya Pujan: The fast will end after offering prashad and gifts to nine young girls. These nine girls are as nine forms of Mother divine. And seek blessings from them.

These are the essential rituals to conclude Navaratri.

Also Read: Navratri: The Triumph of Goddess Durga and the Celebration of Feminine Power