mantra
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 i.e. female divinity are worshipped. The nine-day
festival of Navratri is held in honor of the nine manifestations of Goddess
Durga.
The religious significance behind the celebration of
Navratri is that the nine days are divided and devoted to the Trinity of God
worshipped in a female form. bajrang
baan
In Hindu mythology the festival is hugely celebrated around
the world as the victory of good over evil as the Goddess Shakti (Maa Durga)
killed buffalo - headed demon, Mahishasura after a long battle of nine days and
night on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Vijaya Dashmi Such adoration to
Mother Goddess is unique to Hinduism.Also dusshera is celebrated on the same
day as Lord Rama with the blessings of Maa Durga has won over Ravana. The
festival also marks the arrival of winter season, a period when nature
undergoes several 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 worshipped
during these nine days for good heath, wealth, prosperity, knowledge and
auspiciousness.
Navratri in 2009 will begin from September 19 till 27
September.
Rituals for performing Puja during Navratri
Navratri puja is very simple and not very complicated. One
can easily observe the fast; even if one cannot observe the fast he can simply
recite mantra "Om Ang Haring Kalimg Shreeng Maha Durgay Namah". One
must carefully work upon his/her aahar (food), vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan
(character) during the time of Navratri.
Aahar - One should always avoid non vegetarian foods and
"Satvik" food like fruits, Kutu Ka Aata, Singara Ka Aata, Curd and
Potatoes should be consumed. Usage of Onion and Garlic should be avoided.
Vyavhaar and Acharan - During Navratri festival all devotees
should worship the female deity with spiritual emotion (bhav)
Here is the method for performing Navratri Puja
Get your house cleaned and ready. You are inviting Goddess
into the home. Usually this is done on the Amavasya, a day before the beginning
of Navratri.
On the first day of the 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 over it. On this Bed a Kalash made of Earthen/ Copper is kept
and filled with water. Above the pot a bowl filled with rice is kept. A dry
Coconut wrapped with mango leaves is then kept over this kalash. This Kalash is
believed to be a symbolic form of Goddess Durga. By keeping kalash one
invocates the goddess in the Kalash.
On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3 - 5 inches in
length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as
a blessing from god. This Kalash must not be touched during the nine days. One
diya is lit close to this Kalash which is supposed to burn endlessly for nine
days. This is known as Akhand Jyoti.
Many people believe that the length of the Shoots determines
the Quantum of income that they will have in coming six months. This belief
could have been because India is basically an agrarian economy wherein the
productivity of the land determined one's income.
Mahaashtami
The day begins with a recital of Sanskrit hymns by the
devotees; they 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
a number of traditional and household pujas.
Mahanavami
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this
day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of
Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feets are washed as a mark of respect for
the Goddess and then they are offered food mainly consisting of kala chana,
halwa and poori along with coconut pieces and dakshina (money) and Red chunri
is offerd to the kanjaks.
Vijaya Dashami
After the nine days of Puja, on Dashami, the final day also
called Vijaya Dashami, the images of Goddess Durga are carried in processions
around the locality by the devotees and finally are immersed in a nearby river
or lake.
Colors of Navratri
Durga Navratri is the most sacred and most celebrated
festival season in India which has a unique tradition of colors. Colors also
play a vital role during this festival. People should opt colors according to
each aspect of Devi. The colors represent the nine avatars or incarnations or
manifestations of Goddess Durga Maa.
1st day
The 1st day is contributed to Durga Shailputri. She is the
daughter of Himalaya and first among nine Durgas who holds trishul in the right
hand and a flower in the left hand. Wearing White/Red color will be auspicious
on this day
2nd day
The 2nd day signifies Durga Brahamcharini. Here
"Brahma" means "Tapa". The idol of this Goddess is believed
to be very gorgeous giving the message of love to the whole world. There is
rosary (mala) in her right hand and Kamandal in left hand. She is full with
merriment. People can wear Saffron/ Peach/ Light Yellow on the day
3rd day
The 3rd day is of Durga Chandraghanta. The Goddess
establishes justice everywhere and wear crescent moon on her forehead. She is
charmful and bright is seated on Lion and ready for going in war to fight. She
is unprecedented image of bravery. Wearing White/ Red color on this day would
be very fruitful for the devotees. saral
totke
4th day
Dedicated to Durga Kushmanda the day represents the source
of providing basic necessities to all. This form of Durga is said to be the
creator of the universe. People should wear Blue/ White/ Saffron color on this
day.
5th day
The fifth day of Navratri signifies Durga Skanda. The
Goddess gives the gift of differentiation of right from wrong to the world.
Wearing Green/ Red/ White colored clothes will be auspicious for the devotees.
6th day
The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Durga Katyayani.
It is believed that Maa Katyayani persistently battles against the evil and
deceitful entities. Red/ White colour should be used to wear on this day.
7th day
The seventh day of Navratri is dedicated to Durga Kalratri.
Kalaratri is the 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 demon
entities. Blue/ Red/ White color should be used to wear on this day.
8th day
The eighth day of Navratri signifies Maha Gauri aspect of
Goddess Durga. Durga Ashtami Puja is held in many parts of India. Wearing Red/
Saffron/ Yellow/ White/ Pink colour would be auspicious for the devotees on
this day.
9th day
Dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri form of Durga the day is
also observed as Mahanavami in many parts of the country. This form of Goddess
Durga showers knowledge which makes each soul pure. People can wear Red/ White
colour on this day. puja vidhi
Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma is the world's most famous astrologer
today and appears regularly on World Wide T.V Shows. He is also providing Daily
Forecast to many national and international newspapers such as News India and
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Watch him every day on Star News in Samarpan between 15:00 to 15:30 Hrs and
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