Introduction
We are celebrating 4 (four) Navratris in the whole year, and this year 2023 Shardiya Navratri is held on 15th October, 2023.
Navratri falls in the month of Ashwin known as Sharadiya Navratri. According to the Hindu calendar, Shardiya Navratri starts from the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month.
The well-known Hindu festival of Navratri is a nine-night spectacle that commemorates the goddess Durga in all of her manifestations and honours divine feminine energy. It’s Navratri. Navratri, which is celebrated by millions of people around the world, is a time for prayer, fasting, song, dancing, and vibrant celebrations. Each of the nine days has great significance and reflects various aspects of devotion and spirituality. We’ll explore the significance of each Navratri day in this essay.
Day 1: Pratipada (Shailaputri Devi) (15th Oct, 2023)
Pratipada, also known as the first day of Navratri, is a prominent Hindu festival that ushers in the nine-day festival honouring Goddess Durga and the divine feminine force. On the first day of Navratri, Shailaputri Devi is worshipped with great fervour and devotion. Each day of Navratri is linked with a different manifestation of Goddess Durga. Shailaputri, who means “Daughter of the Mountain,” is the original representation of Goddess Durga. She is portrayed as a calm, divine woman riding a bull while holding a lotus blossom in one hand and a trident in the other. Shailaputri stands for natural force and purity.
On Pratipada, followers visit temples or erect altars at home to perform Shailaputri Devi’s puja (worship). They get up early, take a holy bath, and dress modestly and traditionally. Chanting mantras and songs in her honour, they present the goddess with flowers, incense, and fruits. Aarti is a tradition in which people offer light as a prayer to the goddess. On this day, fasting is a popular tradition where followers refrain from eating grains, salt, and other non-vegetarian items. While some choose to fast completely, others choose to fast partially by taking fruits and milk. Purification of the body and psyche as well as devotion to the goddess are the goals of fasting.
People who follow Shailaputri Devi are said to have stability, courage, and strength in their lives. By worshipping her on the first day of Navratri, people hope to awaken their inner spiritual energy and go off on a road of self-realization and transformation. She is also connected to the Muladhara Chakra, which is the root chakra.
Day 2: Dwitiya (Brahmacharini Devi) (16th Oct,2023)
Devotees worship the Brahmacharini Devi form of Goddess Durga on the second day of Navratri, known as Dwitiya. The date for this event is October 16, 2023. The second incarnation of Goddess Durga, Brahmacharini, stands for the quest for knowledge, insight, and spirituality.
Young ascetic Brahmacharini Devi is frequently portrayed holding a sacred kamandalu (water jug) in one hand and a rudraksha mala (prayer beads) in the other. She is renowned for living a life of austerity and meditation, as well as for her undying devotion to Lord Shiva. The word “Brahmacharini” signifies “one who pursues the path of celibacy” in its original form.
Day 3: Tritiya (Chandraghanta Devi) (17th Oct,2023)
Devotees worship Chandraghanta Devi, the powerful and brilliant form of Goddess Durga, on the third day of Navratri, also known as Tritiya. This day is observed on October 17 2023. One of the goddess’ ten manifestations, Chandraghanta is admired for her bravery, tenacity, and maternal instincts.
The crescent moon that usually adorns Chandraghanta Devi’s forehead is what gives her the names “Chandra” (moon) and “Ghanta” (bell). She frequently appears riding a tiger and has ten hands, each of which is wielding a different weapon or sign of power. Her adherents are said to experience good fortune and calm as a result of her divine presence.
The devotion of Chandraghanta Devi on Tritiya emphasises the warrior part of the goddess, and as the nine-day Navratri celebration unfolds, each day represents a different component of the divine feminine force. It is a moment when worshippers should draw on their inner strength and face their challenges head-on, knowing that the goddess is watching over them.
Day 4: Chaturthi (Kushmanda Devi) (18th Oct,2023)
Devotees honour Kushmanda Devi, the heavenly form of Goddess Durga, on the fourth day of Navratri, also known as Chaturthi. This blessed day occurs on October 18th 2023. It is claimed that Kushmanda Devi, the goddess who created the universe, resides inside the sun and radiates vitality and life force to all living things.
The word “Kushmanda” is a combination of two other words: “Ku,” which means “a little,” “ushma,” which means “warmth” or “energy,” and “anda,” which means “cosmic egg.” As a result, Kushmanda Devi is the goddess who, with her heavenly grin, conceived the cosmic egg and breathed life and light into the cosmos.
Each day of the Navratri celebration emphasises a different facet of the divine feminine energy, and the worship of Kushmanda Devi on Chaturthi celebrates the goddess’s creative and life-giving side. Now is the perfect time for followers to feel the warmth and vitality of Kushmanda Devi’s smile and to take inspiration from her for living vibrant, happy lives.
Day 5: Panchami (Skandamata Devi)(19th Oct,2023)
Devotees honour Skandamata Devi, the celestial form of Goddess Durga, on the fifth day of Navratri, known as Panchami. This lucky day falls on October 19 2023. The nurturing and maternal side of the goddess is represented by Skandamata, who is frequently seen riding a lion while holding her young son Skanda (also known as Kartikeya) in her lap.
Skandamata is a mix of the terms “mata,” which means mother, and “Skanda,” which alludes to her son Kartikeya. She is the mother of the warrior god Kartikeya, who is also revered as the god of bravery and valour and the leader of the celestial army.
Each day of the Navratri celebration highlights a different component of the divine feminine energy, and the worship of Skandamata Devi on Panchami emphasises the mother and loving side of the goddess. It is a moment for devotees to give thanks to their mothers for their love and protection and to ask the divine mother’s blessings for their families’ happiness and well-being.
Day 6: Shashti (Katyayani Devi)(20th Oct,2023)
The mighty Goddess Katyayani Devi is honoured and worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri, known as Shashti. This important day falls on October 20th 2023. The ferocious and resolute form of Katyayani Devi, which stands for courage, valour, and righteousness, is highly revered.
Her earthly father, Sage Katyayana, who passionately prayed for her manifestation to vanquish the demonic Mahishasura, gave her the name Katyayani Devi. She is frequently portrayed as a dazzling goddess riding a lion, holding numerous weapons in her many arms, and wearing crimson clothes and decorations.
The epitome of tenacity and bravery is thought to be Katyayani Devi. Her devotion to Shashti serves as a reminder of the value of sticking up for what is right and of having unflinching courage in the face of challenges. Devotees ask for her blessings not only for protection but also for the fortitude to deal with life’s difficulties.
The devotion of Katyayani Devi to Shashti emphasises the goddess’s warrior nature. As the Navratri festival unfolds, each day stresses a different part of the divine feminine force. It is a time for followers to be inspired by her unflappable spirit and to ask for her divine graces so they might be strong, courageous, and resilient in their lives.
Day 7: Saptami (Kalratri Devi)(21st Oct,2023)
Devotees honour the ferocious and powerful Goddess Kalratri Devi on the seventh day of Navratri, known as Saptami. This important day falls on October 21st 2023. The name Kalratri Devi, which means “the one who is as dark as the night,” denotes that she is the destroyer of ignorance and darkness.
Frequently portrayed as a furious goddess with dark skin, messy hair, and an aggressive look is Kalratri Devi. She is multi-armed, riding a strong donkey or mule, and carrying a sword and a noose. Her menacing visage is a representation of her function in destroying negativity and safeguarding her followers from bad powers.
The goddess Kalratri Devi is venerated as the slayer of ignorance and obscurity. Her adoration of Saptami serves as a reminder of the value of facing and overcoming one’s inner anxieties and outside obstacles. She is sought after by devotees not only for protection but also for the willpower to go through life’s most trying times.
The worship of Kalratri Devi on Saptami emphasises the need to face and overcome our inner demons and external hardships. As the Navratri festival unfolds, each day stresses a different aspect of the divine feminine energy. Devotees should now seek her heavenly blessings for courage, resiliency, and the strength to face life’s most challenging circumstances with steadfastness and faith.
Day 8: Ashtami (Maha Gauri Devi)
The tranquil and dazzling Goddess Maha Gauri Devi is honoured by worshippers on the eighth day of Navratri, known as Ashtami. Maha Gauri, the eighth incarnation of Goddess Durga, is revered for her heavenly beauty, elegance, and purity.
Maha Gauri Devi is frequently shown as a white-clad deity with a fair complexion. She has four arms and uses two of them to carry a trident and a drum (damru), while the other two are making blessing and protection motions. Her name, “Maha Gauri,” which means “extremely fair,” denotes her innocence and purity.
Maha Gauri Devi is revered as the picture of innocence and purity. Her veneration of Ashtami serves as a reminder of the value of maintaining both inner and outer purity as well as the virtue of adopting a modest and moral way of life. In addition to seeking her blessings for physical purity, devotees also ask for a pure heart and compassion.
Each day of the Navratri celebration highlights a different aspect of the divine feminine energy, while Ashtami’s devotion to Maha Gauri Devi emphasises the virtues of purity, love, and grace. It is a time when devotees should ask for her heavenly blessings to live a life that is free from impurity in their thoughts, feelings, and deeds, and to shine the beauty of compassion and love upon the world.
Day 9: Navami (Siddhidatri Devi)
On the ninth and last day of Navratri, also known as Navami, worshippers celebrate and honour Goddess Siddhidatri Devi. This fortunate day occurs on October 24 2023. The ninth and final incarnation of Goddess Durga, Siddhidatri Devi, stands for enlightenment, extraordinary abilities, and divine favours.
With four arms holding a mace (gada), a lotus flower, a conch shell (shankha), and a discus (chakra), Goddess Siddhidatri is sometimes seen sitting on a lotus flower. She is said to impart spiritual knowledge, mystical abilities (siddhis), and heavenly favours upon those who follow her.
Conclusion
Navratri, the nine nights of devotion and celebration, holds immense significance in Hindu culture. Each day of this festival offers an opportunity to connect with different aspects of the divine feminine energy and seek blessings for various aspects of life. Beyond the religious aspect, Navratri also brings communities together, fostering a sense of unity and celebration. It’s a time to rejoice in the triumph of good over evil and to find inner strength through devotion and prayer. Whether you’re participating in the vibrant Garba dances or observing a peaceful fast, Navratri is a time to embrace spirituality and celebrate the beauty of life.
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