BhaktiLoopDurga Navaratri Puja
Durga Navaratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated over nine nights and ten days. It occurs twice a year: Sharad Navaratri (autumn, most widely celebrated, in Ashwin month) and Chaitra Navaratri (spring, in Chaitra month). Each day of Navaratri is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga, with specific rituals, offerings, and colors associated with each form. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
Purpose
To honor and invoke the divine feminine energy (Shakti), seek blessings for power, protection, prosperity, spiritual growth, removal of obstacles, victory over evil, and overall well-being. It commemorates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura.
Key Rituals
Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana): The ritual of establishing a pot (kalash) representing Goddess Durga, marking the beginning of the puja on the first day. It is filled with water, covered with a coconut, mango leaves, and placed on a bed of sacred earth (clay) sown with barley seeds.
Daily worship of Navadurga: Each day, one of the nine forms of Durga is worshipped with specific mantras, prayers, and offerings tailored to that form.
Fasting: Many devotees observe fasts (Nirjala, Phalahari, or Ekana) during the nine days as a mark of devotion and purification.
Recitation of Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati): Chanting the 700 verses from the Markandeya Purana glorifying the Goddess and her cosmic battles.
Aarti: Waving of lamps (diyas) in front of the deity with devotional songs, usually performed morning and evening.
Kumari Puja (Kanya Puja): On Ashtami (8th day) or Navami (9th day), young pre-pubescent girls (representing the Goddess) are worshipped, their feet washed, and offered food (halwa, puri, chana) and gifts.
Homa/Havan: A sacred fire ritual performed towards the end of the festival (often on Ashtami or Navami) to offer oblations to the fire god Agni, invoking the Goddess.
Sankalpa: Taking a vow or intention at the beginning of the puja.
Prasad Distribution: Offering food and sweets to the deity and then distributing it among devotees.
Visarjan (Idol Immersion): On Vijayadashami (the 10th day), if an idol is worshipped, it is immersed in a water body, symbolizing the Goddess's return to her celestial abode.
Common Offerings
Flowers (especially red hibiscus, roses, marigolds)
Fruits (banana, coconut, apple, pomegranates, seasonal fruits)
Sweets (Laddoos, Barfi, Halwa, Kheer, Modak)
Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar)
Akshat (uncooked rice grains mixed with turmeric or kumkum)
Kumkum (red vermillion), Chandan (sandalwood paste), Turmeric
Incense sticks (Agarbatti), Dhoop (frankincense)
Oil lamp (Diya) with ghee or sesame oil
Camphor (Kapur)
Red Chunari (sacred red cloth for the Goddess)
Sari or new clothes for the deity
Betel leaves and areca nuts (paan-supari)
Shringaar items (cosmetics, bangles, bindi, alta)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche
Meaning
This is the Navarna Mantra, a powerful combination of Bija (seed) mantras. 'Aim' represents Mahasaraswati (knowledge/creation), 'Hreem' represents Mahalakshmi (wealth/preservation), and 'Kleem' represents Mahakali (power/dissolution). 'Chamundaye Vichche' is a salutation to Goddess Chamunda.
Benefits
Considered the most fundamental mantra for Durga worship, it provides protection, courage, spiritual awakening, and fulfillment of desires by invoking the composite energy of the Goddess.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri, Narayani Namo Stute.
Meaning
O auspicious one of all auspiciousness, the benevolent one, the fulfiller of all objectives, the refuge, the three-eyed one, Gauri, Salutations to you, Narayani.
Benefits
This mantra is chanted to invoke Goddess Durga for overall well-being, prosperity, protection from all evils, and the fulfillment of all righteous desires. It brings peace and positive energy.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Goddess Durga.
Benefits
A simple yet potent Bija Mantra for immediate connection with the energy of Goddess Durga. It helps in gaining protection, overcoming fear, developing inner strength, and removing obstacles swiftly.
Auspicious Days
Sharad Navaratri: Begins on the first day (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month of Ashwin (typically September-October, dates vary annually).
Chaitra Navaratri: Begins on the first day (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month of Chaitra (typically March-April, dates vary annually).
The nine days are dedicated to the Navadurga forms:
- Day 1 (Pratipada): Goddess Shailputri
- Day 2 (Dwitiya): Goddess Brahmacharini
- Day 3 (Tritiya): Goddess Chandraghanta
- Day 4 (Chaturthi): Goddess Kushmanda
- Day 5 (Panchami): Goddess Skandamata
- Day 6 (Shashthi): Goddess Katyayani
- Day 7 (Saptami): Goddess Kaalratri (Maha Saptami)
- Day 8 (Ashtami): Goddess Mahagauri (Maha Ashtami)
- Day 9 (Navami): Goddess Siddhidatri (Maha Navami)
The 10th day is Vijayadashami (Dasara/Dussehra), marking the culmination of the festival.
Regional Variations
Navaratri is celebrated with immense diversity across India: - **West Bengal & Northeastern India:** Celebrated as 'Durga Puja', characterized by elaborate pandals (temporary structures), grand idol installations of Durga and her children (Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, Kartikeya), cultural performances, and culminating in grand immersion processions on Vijayadashami. - **Gujarat:** Famous for 'Garba' and 'Dandiya Raas', traditional folk dances performed nightly by men and women in colorful attire, symbolizing the cosmic dance of the Goddess. - **South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala):** Celebrated as 'Dasara' or 'Vijayadashami'. Features include 'Bommala Koluvu' or 'Golu' (display of dolls), Saraswati Puja (worship of knowledge and arts), and 'Ayudha Puja' (worship of tools, weapons, and vehicles). - **North India:** Predominantly marked by fasting, daily pujas, 'Ramlila' performances (dramatization of the Ramayana), and culminating in 'Dussehra' with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghanada, and Kumbhakarna, symbolizing the victory of Rama over evil. - **Maharashtra:** Begins with Ghatasthapana and includes the worship of Goddess Durga, often followed by Saraswati Puja.
Related Pujas
Saraswati Puja (often observed during Navaratri, especially in South India and Bengal)
Ayudha Puja (especially in South India, observed on Maha Navami)
Vijayadashami / Dasara / Dussehra (the 10th day, the culmination of Navaratri)
Chaitra Navaratri (the spring Navaratri, similar rituals)
Kali Puja (celebrated separately, usually post-Diwali, but related to the fierce aspect of Durga)
Lakshmi Puja (often part of Navaratri festivities, especially in the South)