Maha Navratri also known as Shardiya Navratri, is a 9-day Hindu festival celebrate with great joy across India and among Hindu communities worldwide. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her many other forms.
Navratri 2023 will start on 15th to 24th October 2023.
During these 9 days, devotees worship each form of the goddess and engage in various rituals, prayers, and cultural festivities.
On 10th day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, marks the triumph of good over evil, symbolize by the victory of Shri Rama over Ravana.
In 2023, Maa Durga’s procession will feature an elephant instead of a lion.
In Hindu traditions, when Goddess Durga arrives on a Sunday or Monday, it is believe that she rides on elephant, which is consider highly auspicious.
This divine association with an elephant is believe to usher in abundant rainfall, ensuring a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year.
Each day of Navratri corresponds to a specific form of Goddess Durga, and devotees perform special prayers and pujas to honour that form.
This festival begins with the worship of Goddess Shailputri and concludes with the worship of Goddess Siddhidatri.
The Durga Saptashati or the Chandi Path, a scripture narrating the tales of Goddess Durga’s valour, is recite during these 9 days.
In 2023, Navratri is set to begin on 15th October 2023, and will end on 24th October 2023.
The Navratri 2023 tithi is as follows:
- Sunday, 15th October 2023 : Ghatasthapana, Maa Shailputri Puja
- Monday, 16th October 2023 : Maa Brahmacharini Puja
- Tuesday, 17th October 2023 : Maa Chandraghanta Puja
- Wednesday, 18th October 2023 : Maa Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi
- Thursday, 19th October 2023 : Maa Skandamata Puja
- Friday, 20th October 2023 : Maa Katyayani Puja
- Saturday, 21st October 2023 : Maa Kalaratri Puja
- Sunday, 22nd October 2023 : Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Kanya Puja
- Monday, 23rd October 2023 : Maha Navami, Maa Siddhidatri puja, Havan
- Tuesday, 24th October 2023 : Vijayadashami, Dussehra, Navratri Paran, Durga Visarjan
The shubh muhurat for Navratri 2023, Pratipada Tithi begins at 11:24 PM on 14th October 2023 and the Pratipada Tithi ends at 12:32 AM on 16th October 2023.
- 1st Day – 15th October 2023 : On the first day of Navratri, wearing orange brings warmth and positivity, making you feel upbeat.
- 2nd Day – 16th October 2023 : Dressing in white on Monday symbolizes purity, granting inner peace and the blessings of the Goddess.
- 3rd Day – 17th October 2023 : Tuesday is for red attire, representing passion and love, filling you with energy and vigour.
- 4th Day – 18th October 2023 : Royal blue on Wednesday, showcasing elegance and richness as you celebrate Navratri.
- 5th Day – 19th October 2023 : Thursday in for yellow radiates optimism and joy, keeping your spirits high.
- 6th Day – 20th October 2023 : Wear green on Friday, symbolising growth, peace, and new beginnings.
- 7th Day – 21st October 2023 : Go for grey for balance emotions and an understated style statement during Navratri.
- 8th Day – 22nd October 2023 : Sunday’s purple attire signifies luxury and nobility, bestowing blessings of richness and grandeur.
- 9th Day – 23rd October 2023 : On the last day, wear peacock green, embracing uniqueness, compassion, and freshness in this exquisite shade of blue and green.
The roots of Navratri can be trace back to ancient Indian mythology.
It is believe that during this period, Goddess Durga manifested in her 9 different forms, each symbolising a facet of feminine power.
These 9 forms are worship during the festival, with each day dedicate to a specific form of the goddess.
The festival also commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Navratri is characterise by a multitude of rituals and observances that deepen devotees’ connection with the divine.
Fasting is a common practice during these nine days, with many individuals abstaining from certain foods and refraining from eating during specific periods.
The traditional Navratri Vrat involves consuming simple, sattvic meals.
Ghatasthapana
The festival begins with the ritual of Ghatasthapana, where a pot symbolizing Goddess Durga is fill with water and sown with barley seeds.
This pot is kept in the puja room and nurture for 9 days until the seeds sprout into small plants, which are consider auspicious.
Durga Puja
Puja ceremonies are conduct throughout the 9 days.
Peoples perform aarti and offer various offerings like flowers, fruits, and sweets to the goddess.
Many people also observe fasting during Navratri as a form of penance and devotion.
Garba and Dandiya Dance
The evenings of Navratri come alive with energetic and colourful Garba and Dandiya dances.
People gather in large groups, dress in traditional attire, and dance to the rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandiya sticks.
These dances celebrate the joyous spirit of the festival and symbolise the circle of life, unity, and devotion.
Kanya Bhoj
On the 8th or 9th day of Navratri, young girls are worship as incarnations of Goddess Durga in a ritual call as Kanya Bhoj or Kanya Pujan.
Girls are treated as guests, given special meals, and present with gifts as a gesture of honour.
Pandals
Pandals are elaborately decorated temporary shrines are set up, and adorne with statues or images of Goddess Durga.
Devotees visit these pandals to offer prayers and seek blessings.
