SHARDIYANAVRATRI/DURGA PUJA
“Sharv Mangal Mangale Shive Sarvarth Sadhike
Sharan Netrayambike Gauri Narayani Namastute”.सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सवार्थ साधिके |
शरण्येत्र्यंबके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते ||
Durga Puja, Shardiya Navratri is celebrated generally during October, every year. But according to the Hindu Calendar, this year the nine-day festival falls in the month of Ashwin, which as per the English Calendar the month of October 15, Sunday(Pratipada) and ends on October 23, Monday (Navmi Tithi). On 15th October, the devotees can perform Kalash Sthapana & Puja on these two auspicious times, one will be “ Abhijit Muhurat“ and the other will be “Amrit Yog”.
The nine days of Shardiya Navratri are devoted to nine avatars of goddess Durga notably – Maa Shailaputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, & Maa Siddhidatri.
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Navratri Observance
Navratri Puja is dedicated to goddess Durga, who grants strong health, wealth and prosperity. People worship the nine forms of the goddess Maa Durga, symbols of skill, strength, prudence, kindness, and fame. Participating in the Puja very sincerely and showing complete focus and dedication is relevant.
It is considered to do the prayer on all nine days and in the same period. You should pray twice daily, once in the morning and another in the evening. You can also take fasts for all nine days if you have the ability and devotion to do it or you can take fast on two days only; on Pratipada, the first day and on Ashtmi tithi ie. the Ninth day.
The nine-day festival begins with Kalash Sthapana. Amateures place a Kalash with some mango leaves sow barley seeds and worship it for nine days.
Required Items For Durga Pooja
Photo, Statue or Deity of goddess Durga, an earthen pot, lid for the pot, coconut, a bunch of mango leaves, altar for the photo or deity, two pieces of red cloth to spread on the altar, chunari, barley seeds, water, soil in place under the pot, sacred thread, raw rice, a paan leaf, two cloves, two cardamoms, perfume or itra, incense sticks, clay lamp with ghee, camphor, matchbox, coins, puja plate, Roli for tilak and flower and fruits.
Best Durga Pooja Muhurat 2023
Ghatasthapana Date: Sunday 15 October 2023
Ghatasthapana Muhurat: 06:30 AM to 08:47 AM
Abhijit Muhurat: 11:48 AM to 12:36 PM
Navratri 2023 Dates
15 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Shailputri (First Day), Pratipada Tithi
16 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Brahmacharini (Second Day), Dwitiya Tithi
17 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Chandraghanta (Third Day), Tritiya Tithi
18 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Kushmanda (Charthitur Day), Chaturthi Tithi
19 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Skandamata (Fifth Day), Panchami Tithi
20 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Katyayani (Sixth Day), Shashti Tithi
21 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Kalratri (Seventh Day), Saptami Tithi
22 October 2023 – Goddess Maa Mahagauri (Eighth Day), Durga Ashtami
23 October 2023 – Mahanavami, (Ninth Day), Maa Siddhidatri Sharadiya Navratri Fast.
24 October 2023 – Immersion of Goddess Durga Idol, Dashami Tithi (Dussehra)
How To Put Through Kalash Sthapana And Growing Of Barley Seeds
First, take a bath and clean your worship place. Put the puja chauki and set the piece of red cloth on it. Then set the photo or deity of the goddess Durga on it. Now spread the fertile soil on the floor in a small place, spray some water and sow the barley seeds.
Now place the earthen pot on the soil at the center and put some water or Gangajal in it. Add some roli, one supari, and a coin to the pot. Put the bunch of mango leaves on the mouth of the Kalash and place the lid filled with raw rice on top of it. After this wrap the coconut with the red cloth and tie the sacred thread around it. Now place it at the top of the lid filled with rice.
How To Do Durga Pooja
Fire up the lamp and incense sticks near the worship area. Give Roli, flowers, incense smoke, camphor light and fruits to the idol and the Kalash. Chant Goddess Durga’s mantras and invite her to the altar.
The Eighth And Ninth Day Of Navratri or Durga Puja
Put up the Kalash at the same place and spray some water on the barley seeds every day. Redo the same puja vidhi every day twice. Once the eighth or the ninth day, follow the same puja rituals and invite nine small girls (2yrs to 10 years)at your home. Wash their feet when they enter the house and serve them food like puri, kheer, fruit, some money and other nice gifts. After this,the hawan has been performed with the mantra of goddess Durga and all.
Visarjan Vidhi
The visarjan or the immersion of the idol and barley seeds is done on the tenth day ie, on Dusshera. Finish the puja as you do regularly and then take some rice and flowers in your hand and offer it to the goddess idol.
Remove the idol from the altar and place it back to the original place. Collect all the subscriptions from the altar and share them with Prasad. Pick the raw rice from the lid of the Kalash and give it to birds and insects. Spray the water of the Kalash on the heads of all the family members. Take the coins and keep them in your Tijori with your other money.
It is a ritual to examine the growth of the barley seeds. If the seeds have grown in plenty then it is a symbol of prosperity and happiness. Keep some sprouts and place the rest of the barley sprouts near a peepal tree.
Navratri Fasting/Starving Foods
Only limited and particular foods are eaten once or twice a day in the morning and evening after Puja on Navratri. You can either have food made of rock salt or fruits.
You can have these things to take:
Kuttu atta pakoda or puri, Singhada atta halwa
Sabudana moongfali aloo vada, Sabudana kheer
Aloo ka kheer or lauki ka kheer
Makhana fried in ghee, Aloo fried in ghee
Dry fruits, Dairy products, Fruits and juices
The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
The heartening nine days of Navratri signifies that the devotees want to know everything about each day so that they do not make any fault in following the customs. Navratri celebrates the nine avatars of the goddess Durga and each day is devoted to one avatar. From the virtuous and as a girl child and the daughter of Himalaya to the married and bold avatars Durga/Aadi Shakti. These nine days, we remember the power of different aspects of being a woman. Since there are different avatars of the goddess each of them signifies a particular colour as well.
Note: If you are looking for more information about All forms of Goddess Durga in Hindi please visit माँ दुर्गा के नौ रूप
