Sharadiya Navratri 2024: Navratri comes twice a year. The festival of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Navratri of Chaitra month and Ashwin month are considered important. Navratri of Sharadiya i.e. Ashwin month is starting from 3rd October. Shardiya Navratri is a festival of Hindu religion, which is celebrated to worship Goddess Durga. This festival falls in the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. During this period, nine forms of the Goddess are worshiped for nine days. During Navratri, devotees keep fast and pray to get the blessings of Goddess Durga. Special puja, havan and kanya puja are organized during these nine days. The last day is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
This year, the dates of Shardiya Navratri will fluctuate, but Navratri will remain for nine days only. Durga Ashtami and Durga Navami will be celebrated on the same day on 11th October. However, there are calendar differences regarding the dates of the dates. Panchami Tithi will be on 7th and 8th October in the great festival of worship of Goddess Durga. After this, Ashtami and Navami Tithi will be celebrated on the same day on 11th October.
also read: Indira Ekadashi tomorrow, offer 3 flowers to please Lakshmi-Narayan
Which goddess should be worshiped on which day?
During Shardiya Navratri, nine forms of the Goddess are worshiped for nine days, which include Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Worship Maa Shailputri on 3rd October, Maa Brahmacharini on 4th, Maa Chandraghanta on 5th, Maa Kushmanda on 6th, Maa Skandamata on 7th, Maa Katyayani on 8th, Maa Kalratri on 9th, Maa Siddhidatri on 10th and Maa Mahagauri on 11th. After this, Dussehra will be celebrated on 12th October.
What things should be kept in mind while worshiping Goddess?
1. Special care should be taken of cleanliness while worshiping Goddess Durga. Make sure to clean the house daily during Navratri.
2. Sprinkle cow urine and Ganga water in the house. Make rangoli outside the house. Offer vandanwar at the main entrance.
3. Consecrate Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga in the home temple. Make sure to offer Durva, Bilva Patra, flower garland, rose and lotus to God.
4. Chant the mantra of Goddess Durga, Om Dun Durgaayi Namah, at least 108 times. Use Rudraksh rosary for chanting mantra.
5. During the days of Navratri, visit and worship the Shaktipeeths of the Goddess.
6. Along with worshiping the Goddess, worship and feed small girls also.
7. Light a lamp outside the house every day after sunset. Light a lamp near Tulsi.
8. Offer wedding items like bangles, red chunari, kumkum, vermillion, bindiya to Goddess Durga.