Sharad Navratri or Maha Navratri is just around the corner and it is one of the most awaited festivals of the year in the country. The nine-day long, auspicious festival is celebrated all over India for different reasons every year. It is culturally dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. It is believed that the Goddess descends from heaven to earth and bestows blessings to her devotees. it signifies the victory of peace, goodwill, and dharma over evil.
There are a total of four Navratris in the Hindu calendar: Magha (winter), Chaitra (Spring), Ashadha (Monsoon), and Sharad (Autumn). Of the four Navratris celebrated every year, the Sharad Navratri, also known as Shardiye Navratri is the most important. The nine avatars of Maa Durga namely Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri are worshipped on these days.
On the first day of Navratri,”Ghatsthaapna” is done in which an urn is filled with water and religiously placed for doing pooja. An ‘Akhand ‘diya is lit ,which is burnt day and night . After this, fast is kept and prayers are offered to the Goddess for nine consecutive days. On the tenth day, 9 little girls are called home. They represent the Goddess. One pays obeisance to them and after serving them food, breaks the 9 day fast and eats.
Sharad Navratri commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of the lunar month, Ashwin. The tenth day is often referred to as ‘VIJAYADASHAMI’ or ‘DUSSEHRA’. Sharad Navratri falls in the Ashwin Lunar month during Sharad Ritu as per Hindu calendar. Chanting of mantras, renditions of bhajans or holy songs accompany the Navratri Puja rituals for nine consecutive days.
Here is all you need to know about the festival Sharad Navratri 2020:
Sharad Navratri 2020 starting and ending date:
This year the Sharad Navratri will commence on October 17 and holds a special significance as it will commence exactly a month after Pitra Paksha. The auspicious festival of Sharad Navratri will be observed till October 25 or October 26. The end of Navratri marks the festival of Vijaydashmi, more commonly known as Dussehra.
Sharad Navratri 2020 Tithi and Shubh muhurat:
According to Drikpanchang, this year, Ashtami Tithi begins at 06:57 am on Oct 23, 2020, and ends at 06:58 am on Oct 24, 2020. Sandhi Puja Muhurat is from 06:34 am to 07:22 am.
Navratri Festival Story:
There are many stories about Navratri Festival but two of them are quite popular.
1. It is about Lord Rama and how he won the battle against Ravana. Lord Rama was a huge worshipper of Devi Bhagwati. Before battling with Ravana he had devoted himself to the worship of the DEVI for nine days. On a ninth day, he was blessed by Devi Bhagwati and on the tenth day, Lord Rama killed Dashanana. Since then, different forms of Devi Bhagwati are venerated for nine days straight and Vijaya Dashami is then observed on the tenth day.
2. The second story is all about the Asura Mahishasura. As per the Markandeya Puran, Demon King Mahishasura was granted the power of immortality. He soon started misusing it and spreading his terror far and wide. The gods in Swarga Lok appealed to Lord Shiva for a solution to get rid of this demon. To protect the three worlds the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva united their powers and created a female warrior known as Adishakti Durga. Mahishasura was fascinated and totally mesmerized by the divine beauty of Goddess Durga and approached her with the intention of marriage. The goddess agreed to marry Mahishasura but put forth a condition that he will have to defeat her in a battle. The proud Mahishasura agreed immediately! The battle continued for nine nights and at the end of the 9th night, Goddess Durga beheaded Mahishasura. So Goddess Durga is also known as Mahishasur Mardini. Whereas, the 10th day was named as Vijaya Dashmi. Vijaya Dashmi usually falls 10 days prior to Diwali.
Nine Days of Sharad Navratri and Nine forms of Goddess Shakti:
● Day 1 – Maa Shailputri Puja – The first form of Maa Durga, Maa Shailputri represents the planet Moon. Worshipping her can help to eliminate any bad effects or omens.
● Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini Puja – As per astrology, Maa Brahmacharini controls the planet Mars and diminishes any bad effects if worshipped with a pure heart.
● Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta Puja – Maa Chandraghata dominates the planet Venus and offers courage and fearlessness.
● Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda Puja – Maa Kushmanda represents the planet Sun and eliminates any ill-effects in the nearby future.
● Day 5 – Maa Skandamata Puja – Maa Skand Mata represents the planet Mercury and is very compassionate towards her devotee.
● Day 6 – Maa Katyayani Puja – Jupiter planet is controlled by Maa Katyayani. She provides courage and prowess to her worshippers.
● Day 7 – Maa Kaalratri Puja – Maa Kaalratri controls the Saturn planet and symbolises valour.
● Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri Puja – Maa Mahagauri is the divine controller of planet Rahu and pacify harmful effects.
● Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri Puja – Maa Siddhidatri dominates the planet Ketu and offers wisdom and knowledge
Importance of Colours in Navratri:
Each day of Navratri is related to a particular color. It is believed that using these colors during the Navratri festival will fetch you good luck.
Day 1 Oct 17, Saturday: Grey
You need to wear Grey colour on Day 1 of Navratri. The colour stands for change and transformation for the better.
Day 2 Oct 18, Sunday: Orange
Wear orange on Day 2 of Navratri, it surely means that you will be blessed with happiness and positive energy.
Day 3 Oct 19, Monday: White
Wear white colour on Day 3 of Navratri. You will be blessed with a feeling of security, happiness, and purity of thought in their life.
Day 4 Oct 20, Tuesday: Red
On Day 4 of Navratri, if red is worn, it helps Hindu devotees to be blessed with vitality, loyalty, and beauty.
Day 5 Oct 21, Wednesday: Royal Blue
On Day 5 of Navratri, wear royal blue to bring in elegance and a passion to excel in life.
Day 6 Oct 22, Thursday: Yellow
Wear Yellow shades of colour on Day 6 of Navratri to get enriched with the happiness, positivity in one’s life
Day 7 Oct 23, Friday: Green
Wear Green coloured dresses on Day 7 of Navratri. It signifies new auspicious beginnings in a devotee’s life.
Day 8 Oct 24, Saturday: Peacock Green
On Day 8 of Navratri wear the peacock green colour to get the blessed with uniqueness, and compassion towards fellow beings.
Day 9 Oct 25, Sunday: Purple
On Day 9 of Navratri, wear a purple shade and get bestowed with prosperity and opulence.
Sharad Navratri 2020- Effect on Each Zodiac Sign and Remedies:
Aries
Worshiping Devi Shailputri gives auspicious results. Worship with red flowers and a garland of red sandalwood. Mantra to recite to please the Goddess is ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Taurus:
Taurus sign people should worship mother Brahmacharini. It can fulfill their dreams and desires. Worship with a white garland of white sandalwood. Mantra to recite is ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥
Gemini:
People born under the Gemini zodiac should worship Devi Chandraghanta. This leads to happiness and prosperity in their lives. Natives of Gemini should chant the Gayatri Mantra with a garland of Tulsi or Chant this mantra to please her ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥.
Cancer:
Devi Siddhidatri is the goddess of good health and prosperity to the people of Cancer. Chant this Mantra for Goddess Siddhidatri ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥ with a white sandalwood garland and offer sweets made with milk.
Leo:
Leo sign should worship Maa Kalratri. It will give them all kinds of pleasure and knowledge. They should chant ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥ with a garland made of the pink (ruby) gem in Navratri.
Virgo:
The natives born under Virgo should worship the goddess Chandraghanta. This calls for happiness, prosperity and happiness in their lives. They can chant Gayatri Durga mantra or ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥ with a Tulsi garland in Navratri.
Libra:
Librans should worship Maa Brahmacharini. It attracts happiness and prosperity. Apart from this, Librans should chant ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥ with a garland of white sandalwood in Navratri.
Scorpio:
Scorpians should worship Maa Shailputri. It will solve their problems and enhance peace, happiness, and prosperity. They should worship with red flowers and red sandalwood in Navratri and help the poor people. Chant ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Sagittarius:
Worship of the goddess Siddhidatri would be beneficial for the natives of Sagittarius. It will offer relief from all their suffering. They should chant ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥ with the Rudraksha and offer sweets.
Capricorn:
People of this zodiac should worship Siddhidatri. It will give them health benefits and success. Also, the native of Capricorn should offer halwa to the goddess. Chant ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
Aquarius:
Worshiping Goddess Siddhidatri would bring the natives of this zodiac happiness and peace. They should offer sweets made of urad dal. Chant ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
Pisces:
The natives of the Pisces zodiac should worship Goddess Kamala, Siddhidatri, and mother Lakshmi. This will lead to happiness and peace in your house. They should offer sweets and bananas to please the goddess. Chant ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
Fasting During Navratri:
Meditation and Fasting is a common practice observed by many during Navratri. During fasting, the foods to be avoided are meat, alcohol, grains, wheat, onions, grains too. You can have fresh fruits, milk, curds, sabudana, makhanas too.
Navratri Puja Vidhi:
● Wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear clean clothes.
● Arrange a thali for puja.
● Place the idol or picture of Goddess Durga on a red-coloured cloth.
● Place the clay pot, sow the barley seeds and sprinkle some water every day till Navami.
● In an auspicious muhurat, carry out the process of Ghatasthapana. Fill the urn with Gangajal, and place mango leaves on the top of its mouth. Wrap the neck of the urn with sacred red thread or Mauli, Place the coconut on the top of the urn. Place the urn near or on the clay pot.
● Carry out panchopchar puja of the deities, which includes worshipping with flowers, camphor, incense sticks, scent
and cooked dishes.
● Chant Maa Durga Mantras throughout these nine days and ask for prosperity. Invite her into your house and ask her to grace your house with her presence.
● On the eighth and ninth day, invite nine girls at your house. Wash their feet, offer them a clean and comfortable
seat. Worship them, apply tilak on their forehead and serve them puri, chana, and sheera. Then give them gifts.
● On the last day after Durga puja, carry out Ghat Visarjan. Say your prayers, offer flowers and rice to the deities
and remove the Ghata from the altar.
Sharad Navratri is celebrated in different states of India in different ways. From Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal to Odisha and Bihar. While they worship the same deity, some rituals may vary. Navratri is also celebrated by the migrated Hindu population in, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, Trinidad, and UK, and at all the places around the world, with significant Hindu Diaspora.
Also Read: Navratri 2019: 10 Navaratri Special Foods You Can Enjoy While Fasting