Navaratri is a festival
dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The word Navaratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, nava meaning
nine and ratri meaning
nights. During
these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as
Vijayadashami or
"Dussehra" (also spelled Dasara). Navaratri is an
important major festival and is celebrated all over India.
Navratri follows the lunar calendar and
is celebrated in March/April as Vasanta Navratri and in
September/October as Sharad Navratri.
The beginning of spring and the beginning of
autumn are considered to be important junctions of climatic and solar
influences. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship
of the Divine Mother Durga.
Navaratri represents a celebration of the
Goddess Amba, (the Power).
Navaratri or
Navadurga Parva happens to be the most auspicious and unique period of devotional
sadhanas and worship of Shakti (the sublime, ultimate, absolute creative
energy) of the Divine conceptualized as the Mother Goddess-Durga, whose worship
dates back to prehistoric times before the dawn of the Vedic age.
A whole chapter in
the tenth mandal of the Rigveda addresses the devotional sadhanas of Shakti.
The "Devi Sukta" and "Isha Sukta" of the Rigveda and
"Ratri Sukta" of the Samveda similarly sing paeans of praise of
sadhanas of Shakti. In fact, before the beginning of the legendary war between
the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata – a foundational Sanskrit epic in
the Hindu tradition – Lord Krishna worshipped Durga, the Goddess of Shakti, for
the victory of the Pandvas.
Lord Brahma is cited
in the Markandey Purana as mentioning to Rishi Markandey that the first
incarnation of Shakti was as Shailputri. Further incarnations of the Divine
Mother are: Brahmcharñi, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani,
Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri in that order. These nine manifestations of
Shakti, are worshipped as "Nava-Durga". The fifth chapter of the
Rudra Sanhita of Shiva Purana also vividly describes the various Divine
Emanations of Durga.
Since the Vedic Age
of the Rishies, the devotional practices recommended during Navaratri are primarily
those of Gayatri Anushthana.
In the Vedic Age of
the Indian Culture, the religious philosophy and devotional practices were
focused towards true knowledge and ultimate realization of the supreme power of
Gayatri (Bram Shakti). The Vedas were the basis of all streams of spirituality
and science those days. Gayatri has been the source of the divine powers of the
gods and non-goddesses in the heavens and their angelic manifestations and
incarnations. Gayatri sadhana was also paramount in the higher level spiritual
endeavors of the yogis and tapaswis. Gayatri Mantra was the core-focus of daily
practice of sandhya-vandan (meditation and devotional worship) for everyone. As
guided by the rishis, specific sadhanas and upasanas of the Gayatri Mantra were
sincerely practiced during the festival period of Navaratri by every aspirant
of spiritual enlightenment.
The Navratri commences on the first day
(pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin. The festival
is celebrated for nine nights once every year during the beginning of October,
although as the dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar
calendar, the festival may be held for a day more or a day less.
Ghatasthapana Muhurta
Navratri Day 1 Pratipada :
Ghatasthapana Shailputri Pujan Navratri color of the day is Grey
Navratri Day 2 Dwitiya :
Chandra Darshan Brahmacharini Pujan Navratri color of the day is Orange
Navratri Day 3 Tritiya :
Sindoor Tritiya Chandraghanta Pujan Navratri color of the day is White
Navratri Day 4 Chaturthi :
Kushmanda Pujan Varad Vinayaka Chauth Navratri color of the day is Red
Navratri Day 5 Panchami : Upang
Lalita Vrat Skandamata Pujan Navratri color of the day is Royal Blue
Navratri Day 6 Shashthi :
Saraswati Awahan Katyayani Pujan Navratri color of the day is Yellow
Navratri Day 7 Saptami :
Saraswati Puja Kalaratri Pujan Navratri color of the day is Green
Navratri Day 8 Ashtami : Durga
Ashtami Mahagauri Pujan Sandhi Puja, Maha Ashtami Navratri color of the day is
Peacock Green
Navratri Day 9 Navami : Ayudha
Puja Durga Visarjan, Maha Navami Navratri color of the day is Purple
Navaratri is celebrated Four times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri,
the Sharad Navaratri, and the Paush/MaghaNavaratri.
Of these, the Sharad Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta
Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are the most important.Other two are observed
only by shaktas only,
Vasanta Navaratri: Vasanta Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to
the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Chaitra (March–April)
and is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Chaitra. The
beginning of this Navaratri also marks the start of the new year as per the
Hindu mythological lunar calendar (Vikrami Samvat).
Ashad Navaratri: Gupta Navaratri, also referred as Ashadha or Gayatri or Shakambhari
Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess)
in the month of Ashadha (June–July). Gupta Navaratri is observed during
the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).this is mostly observed by shaktas only.
Sharad Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navaratris. It is simply called Maha
Navaratri (the Great Navaratri) and is celebrated in the 'pratipada'
(first day) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. Also
known as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning
of winter, September–October).
Pausha / Magha Navaratri: Pausha Navaratri, also referred as Shakambari
Navaratri, is eight days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess)
in the month of (December–January). Paush Navaratri is observed during the Pausha Shukla
Paksha (waxing phase of moon). Shakambhari Purnima is the last day in the
8-day long holiday of Shakambari Navaratri. Most Navaratri begins on Shukla
Pratipada except for Shakambari Navaratri, which begins on Ashtami and
ends on Purnima in Paush month.
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