Navratri is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, dedicated to the nine divine forms of Durga Mata. It is a time filled with devotion, powerful energy, and cheerful festivities that add to the overall mood and aura of the celebrations.
There are mainly two types of Navratri – Chaitra Navratri which is celebrated during the months of March-April, marking the beginning of the summer season and the end of winter. Next is Sharad Navratri, celebrated during the months of September-October, which marks the beginning of winter. Regardless of the type, both types celebrate the divine feminine.
In this blog, we will guide you more on Navratri 2024 including everything from dates, timings, celebrations, and rituals associated with it.
Significance of Navratri
For those unfamiliar, Navratri is a Sanskrit term that translates to ‘Nine Nights’ (Nav means nine, and Ratri means night). These nine nights are dedicated to worshiping Goddess Durga in her nine different forms, each form representing a unique aspect of her divine power, such as strength, love, beauty, and courage.
According to the legends, there was once a buffalo-headed demon named Mahishasura. He performed strong penance to please Lord Brahma. Impressed by his faith and devotion, Lord Brahma appeared in front of him, asking for his wish. In return, Mahishasura asked for a boon of immortality. But Lord Brahma refused to grant him invincibility but gave him a boon that he would not be killed by a man or any god but only by a woman.
Mahishasura laughed off the idea of getting killed by a woman and started considering himself immortal. He created havoc all around, killing and torturing everyone around. Everyone turned helpless in front of him as none could match his powers or fight back with him.
Seeing this condition, the trinity i.e., Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combined their energies to form one divine force that could defeat Mahishasura. And this divine force was none other than Goddess Durga.
Goddess Durga came forward riding a lion and carrying multiple weapons to fight Mahishasura. She rigorously battled with him for nine days and nine nights and finally put him to death on the tenth day i.e., Dussehra.
Navratri is a celebration of these nine days symbolizing the victory over evil. Across India, the festival is marked by various customs, rituals, fasting, and the famous Garba and Dandiya Raas dances that are symbolic of the joy this festival brings.
Navratri 2024: Dates and Shubh Mahurats
Here are the Shubh Mahurats for Navratri 2024:
Shubh Muhurat for Chaitra Navratri:
Chaitra Navratri Date: April 9, 2024, Tuesday
Ghatasthapana Muhurat: 06:03 AM - 10:15 AM
Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat: 11:56 AM - 12:47 PM
Pratipada Tithi Starts: 8 April 2024, 11:52 PM
Pratipada Tithi Ends: 9 April 2024, 08:32 PM
Shubh Muhurat for Shardiya Navratri:
Shardiya Navratri Date: 3 October 2024
Ghatasthapana Muhurat: 3 October 2024, 6:11 AM – 07:19 AM (Duration - 1 hour 7 minutes)
Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat: 11:42 AM – 12:29 PM (Duration - 47 minutes)
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 3 October 2024, 12:18 PM
Pratipada Tithi Ends: 4 October 2024, 02:58 AM
This time frame is considered the most auspicious for starting your Navratri prayers and rituals.
The Nine Divine Forms of Durga Mata
Each of the nine forms of Goddess Durga represents a unique and powerful aspect of the divine feminine, guiding devotees through various life stages, challenges, and spiritual growth. By worshiping these forms, one seeks not only protection and blessings but also wisdom, courage, and purity in life.
Let’s learn more about the nine forms of Durga Mata in detail, understanding their significance and iconography.
Day 1 (October 3): Shailaputri
The festival starts with the Ghatasthapana ritual, which marks the invocation of Goddess Durga.
The first day is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, who is also known as Parvati or Hemavati. She is the daughter of Himavan, the king of mountains, and is believed to be the reincarnation of Sati, the first consort of Lord Shiva. Shailaputri is worshiped for bringing strength, devotion, and stability.
Shailaputri is depicted riding a bull, Nandi, holding a Trishul (trident) in one hand and a lotus in the other. Her calm and serene demeanor represents the strength and resilience one needs to overcome life’s challenges.
Color for the day: Yellow
Day 2 (October 4): Brahmacharini
The second day is dedicated to Brahmacharini, the goddess who embodies peace, devotion, penance, and sacrifice. In this form, the goddess undertakes a rigorous ascetic life to attain Lord Shiva as her consort. Brahmacharini walks barefoot, holding a japa mala (rosary) in one hand and a kamandal (water pot) in the other. Her simple appearance reflects the purity and austerity of her nature.
Color for the day: Green
Day 3 (October 5): Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta is the fierce form of the goddess who fights against evil. Her name is derived from the crescent moon on her forehead, which looks like a ghanta (bell). This form is symbolic of both beauty and bravery.
Chandraghanta is depicted riding a lion, and she holds various weapons in her ten arms. She has a golden complexion and a third eye on her forehead that radiates strength and energy.
This form of Durga signifies courage and the strength to fight injustice. Devotees worship Chandraghanta to seek inner strength, fearlessness, and the courage to battle the adversities in life. She is associated with the Manipura (solar plexus chakra), which represents willpower and self-confidence. Devotees worship Chandraghanta, the goddess of bravery.
Color for the day: Gray
Day 4 (October 6): Kushmanda
The fourth day is in honor of Kushmanda, who is believed to be the creator of the universe. Her name is a combination of three words: Ku (little), Ushma (warmth), and Anda (cosmic egg), symbolizing her role as the creator of life.
She is often depicted riding a lion, with eight hands holding weapons, a rosary, and a pot of nectar. Her radiant smile brings light and energy to the cosmos.
Kushmanda represents the source of all creation, illuminating the universe with her energy. She is worshiped to attain prosperity, good health, and positivity in life.
Color for the day: Orange
Day 5 (October 7): Skandamata
The fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to Skandamata, the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), the god of war. She symbolizes the nurturing and protective aspect of motherhood.
Skandamata is depicted holding her son Skanda in her lap. She rides a lion and has four arms, holding a lotus in two of them, a bell in the third, and a baby Skanda in the fourth. She exudes calm and motherly affection.
Color for the day: White
Day 6 (October 8): Katyayani
Katyayani represents the warrior form of Goddess Durga. She is also known as the goddess of revenge and is revered as the destroyer of evil forces, particularly the demon Mahishasura.
Katyayani is depicted riding a lion and carrying a sword, with four arms holding a lotus, sword, and other weapons. Her fierce appearance radiates strength and determination.
Devotees worship Katyayani for courage, determination, and the strength to overcome obstacles. She is also revered by unmarried girls seeking a suitable partner.
Color for the day: Red
Day 7 (October 9): Kalaratri
Day 7 honors Kalaratri, the fiercest and most terrifying form of Maa Durga. Kalaratri is the destroyer of all negative forces and demons. Though her appearance is fierce, she brings about the end of ignorance and evil.
Kalaratri is depicted with a dark complexion, disheveled hair, and three glowing eyes. She rides a donkey and holds a sword and a deadly weapon. Flames seem to emanate from her nostrils, symbolizing her intensity and power.
She represents the removal of ignorance and darkness from one’s life. Kalaratri protects her devotees from evil forces and grants them freedom from fear.
Color for the day: Royal Blue
Also Read : Top 9 Temples Dedicated to Maa Kali in India
Day 8 (October 10): Mahagauri
Mahagauri, symbolizing purity and serenity, is worshiped on the eighth day of Navratri. After slaying the demons in her fierce form, Mahagauri returns to her serene and compassionate state.
She is depicted riding a white bull, wearing white garments, and having four arms. She radiates peace, serenity, and calmness, reflecting her pure nature.
Mahagauri is worshiped for purification, forgiveness, and wisdom. Devotees seek her blessings for a peaceful, harmonious, and fulfilled life.
Color for the day: Pink
Day 9 (October 11): Siddhidatri
The final day of Navratri is dedicated to Siddhidatri, the goddess who grants siddhis (supernatural powers) to her devotees. She is the ultimate form of Durga, who holds the combined energies of all the gods.
Siddhidatri sits on a lotus and holds a mace, discus, and lotus flower in her four arms. She is surrounded by a celestial aura, symbolizing the divine knowledge and powers she grants.
Siddhidatri grants wisdom, spiritual enlightenment, and the ability to achieve success in life. She is worshiped by those seeking to attain spiritual knowledge and divine powers.
Color for the day: Purple
The final day of Navratri culminates in Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which celebrates the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Rituals and Traditions
Navratri is a time of intense devotion, fasting, and celebration. The rituals start with Ghatasthapana, wherein a shallow pan-like clay pot is filled with layers of mud, and Sapta Dhanya/Navadhanya seeds are scattered over it. Following this, to provide some moisture to the seed, water is sprinkled all over the top layer of the mud. Alongside this, a Kalasha is filled with water, Ganga jal, Supari, a few coins, Akshat (raw rice mixed with turmeric powder), and Durva grass. Hereafter, five mango leaves are placed around the neck of the Kalash, which is then covered with a coconut.
However, depending on the region, the customs and rituals vary, but there are a few common traditions that are generally practiced during the festival.
- Fasting: Many devotees observe fasts during Navratri, either for the entire nine days or on selected days. The fasting rules for Navratri are quite flexible, allowing fruits, milk, and sattvic foods. The main idea behind fasting is to detox the body and purify the mind to focus and connect with the divine energy.
- Daily Puja: Every day, people perform a small puja or prayer dedicated to the specific form of the goddess. This typically involves offering flowers, lighting diyas (lamps), chanting mantras, and performing aartis. Many people also read from the Durga Saptashati, a sacred text that narrates the story of the goddess's victories over various demons.
- Garba and Dandiya Raas: If you love dancing, Navratri is the perfect time to let loose! Garba and Dandiya Raas are traditional folk dances from Gujarat, but they’ve recently gained popularity across India and even among Indian communities worldwide. The nights are filled with syncing dance steps, colorful traditional attire, and the energetic beats of dhol and drums.
- Kanya Pujan: On the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, people perform Kanya Pujan, where young girls (who are considered the symbols of goddess Durga) are worshiped and offered gifts and food.
Also Read : All About Maa Saraswati : The Goddess of Wisdom and Arts
Preparing for Navratri 2024
As Navratri approaches, you can feel a different kind of excitement and joy filling up the air. If you are likewise excited about Navratri 2024, here are a few tips to prepare for the festivities:
- Prepare for your Fasting: If you are planning to fast, make sure to prepare by stocking up on fruits, milk, and other sattvic foods like sabudana (tapioca pearls) and kuttu (buckwheat flour).
- Decorate your Puja Room: Creating a special space for your Navratri prayers can add an authentic touch to the festival. You can choose a clean and quiet spot and decorate with marigold flowers, mango leaves, and diyas to create a vibrant and spiritual space.
- Pick Your Navratri Outfits: With each day having a dedicated color, it can be fun to prepare your wardrobe for Navratri in advance. The more vibrant and traditional, the better!
Conclusion
Navratri 2024 is sure to be a time of celebration, devotion, and togetherness. Whether you’re worshiping the goddess, dancing your heart out in Garba, or enjoying the vibrant festivities with family and friends, this festival is a reminder of the power of good, the importance of devotion, and the joy of celebration. So, mark your calendars, and prepare for the nine days of spiritual connection and fun!
May Goddess Durga bless you with prosperity, happiness, and good health during this auspicious festival!
