Navratri Celebrations In Modern World

Navratri celebrations kick started on the 5th of October, 2013; and will continue to occupy everyones calendar till 13th October. Celebrating Navratri in India is as varied as the different forms of Maa Durga and this is exactly the topic we will tell you in this article. Celebrating Navratri, region-wise. Read on... 

The most popular Navratri Celebrations that come to our mind would be these:

• Navratri dance of Gujarat - Dandia & Garba
• Durga Puja of West Bengal
• Navratri Golu in South, and 
• The famous Mysore Dussehra Celebrations 

Now, let’s look at each of these in more detail.

Dandia & Garba

Garba is a traditional dance of the state of Gujarat. It is an extravagant event, which is organised for the nine days of Navratri. People from all over the state take part in this festival. This is a major attraction for foreign crowd as well. The Government of Gujarat itself organise “Navratri festival celebrations” and the state declares four days holidays to give this festival a whole new level of excitement. Another highlight of this dance is the grand and beautiful costumes. These are traditional Gujarati costumes which have exquisite designs and are of vibrant colors. The dancing folk use beautifully designed sticks and dance to the beats of the songs with one another forming big circles. This is one starry night which no one would want to miss.

Click here for Garba Songs & Music - Navratri Songs

Durga Puja 

Durga puja is one of the biggest festivals of West bengal. The entire state will be immersed in the celebrations, everywhere there will be nothing else to see other than Pandals, food stalls, Durga statues and people gathered in large numbers. Sharad Navratri known as Durga puja is a festival one does not miss in West Bengal. Large size Durga idols depicting her in the Durga form killing the Demon king Mahishasura is placed in big Pandals where people in huge numbers gather to pray and wish one another. Women apply vermillion which is red in color (Durga Maa’s color) and exchange sweets and wish one another. Temples perform special Pujas and rituals, the grandeur at these places is beyond explanation. One has to be there to witness this splendor with their own eyes. Durga Maa, Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Karthikeya are the prime Gods worshipped during this festival.

 Navratri Golu

Golu also known as Kolu in Tamil is a custom where miniature dolls of deities depicting ancient legends and stories are placed on decorated steps with colorful lights, flowers and rangolis. This is a most looked forward to festival, which is celebrated in the month of Purattasi in the Tamil Hindu calendar. This is a very popular custom in the four southern states of India, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu and Kerala. On this occasion, nine young girls dressed as the nine different form of Goddess Durga are invited home and given sweets and new dresses. Married women visit each other’s home and exchange Thambulam (Haldi Kumkum). People gather for a social get together and sing devotional songs, as well as perform skits from Hindu mythology.

Mysore Dussehra

The Mysore Dussehra festivals, date back to the 15th century. In 2010, Mysore Dussehra celebrated its 400th anniversary. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil, Goddess Chamundeshwari, a form of Goddess Durga is worshipped. This festival is considered as the state festival of Karnataka. The entire city is illuminated for the ten days Dussehra Jamboree. The magnificent Mysore palace is lit for ten continuous days, which is a breathtaking sight in itself. The main attraction of Mysore Dussehra is the Dussehra parade or popularly known as Jumboo Savari, which is a major booster for Mysore tourism. Beautifully decorated vehicle carrying artist and statues are paraded on the streets of Mysore. Folk dancers, cultural art performers adorn the streets of Mysore. One more main event of this festival is the Royal Durbar (royal meeting), where the Royal family along with important guests, leaders, officials and public participate in the Puja and ritual. Every year, the main elephant of the event brought in and trained specially for the reason that he carries the golden statue of Chamundi Goddess and the royal sword and parades it through the city.

This is a brief article about the celebrations carried out in different parts of India. Make this Navratri a special one. May Goddess Durga shower her blessings on everyone.

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2nd Day Of Navratri: Goddess Of Spiritual Strength - Maa Brahmacharini

The second day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini. Brahmacharini, as the name suggests, means one who does Tapasya (penance). She is one of the most beautiful forms of Goddess Durga and represents spiritual enlightenment. 

Maa Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini is the Goddess of Rishi-Munis, Yogis (sages). Her appearance is divine and full of light. She has four hands of which two carry weapons, one carries Rudraksha Japa Mala (rosary) and one hand is free to give her blessings for the ones who seeks it. She bears a calm face and glows in the divine light. Her Vahana (carrier) is the sacred cow. 

To obtain Lord Shiva’s love and attention, Maa Parvati went into deep and hard Tapasya (penance). The fruits of this endeavour was winning Lord Shiva’s love and she came to be known as Maa Brahmacharini. Planet Mars is governed by Maa Brahmacharini 

Click here to know the legend behind this form of Maa Durga - Maa Brahmacharini

Rituals Performed

The rituals performed on the second day is same as all the other days of Navratri. The idol is decorated and placed on a platform. Flowers of red colors are used for performing Puja. Along with Maa Brahmacharini, other forms of Durga are also worshipped. A lamp is lit with pure Ghee and the Mantras are chanted while performing the Puja. A Bhog (sacred food) of sugar is offered to Maa Brahmacharini. 

You may like to read this: Navratri

Mantra

Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupen Sansthita |

Namastasye Namastasye Namastasye Namoh Namah ||

Meaning: Mother you are present everywhere and your blessings reach everyone. I pray to you for one and all, bless them with happiness and guide them to light. 

Another Mantra for worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini is as follows. You may opt to chant either of them.

Dadhana Karpadma abhyamaksh Mala kamandalu|

Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinya Nuttama || 

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलु |

देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्म्चारिन्यनुतमा ||

Meaning: The one who carries the flower of Lotus, Rudraksha Mala and stoup in one hand. The sublime Goddess Brahmcharini, please bless me.

Worshipping Maa Brahmacharini will bless us with perseverance and wisdom just like her perseverance to finish a Tapa (penance) which lasted for a 1000 years to get the love of Lord Shiva. 

So, this is all we have on the second day of Navratri. Wish you all a very Happy Sharad Navratri! Fetch the blessings of Goddess Durga and change your lives.

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First day of Navratri: The day of Mata Shailputri

Navratri, also known as the Festival of Nine Nights, is celebrated twice in a year with great zeal and enthusiasm in honor of goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Navratri celebrated in the month of October-November is called “Ashwin Navratri”. During the nine days of Navratri one must work upon their aahar (food), vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character).

Click here to download - Goddess Durga Wallpapers

Mata Shailputri

Mata Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri because she is the first form or avatars of Durga. She is the daughter of “Parvata Raju” or the mountain king. In her previous birth she was the daughter of King Daksha and was known as “Sati Bhavani Mata”. Mata Shailputri rides on a bull and holds a Trishul in her right hand and a lotus in the left hand. Her face is blissful with a pleasant smile.

Ritual performed on First Day

On the first day “ghatsthapana” is done in which a small bed of mud is prepared and barley seeds are sown over it. A vessel of water (kalash tied with a red sacred thread) is placed on this bed. Above this Kalash is placed a bowl filled with rice. A coconut wrapped with mango leaves is then placed over it (Kalash). This Kalash is not touched during the nine days. An oil lamp or diya (Akhand Jyoti) is lit near the Kalash which burns endlessly for the nine days. Garland made of fresh flowers is placed on the image of the goddess and Mantras are recited. Holy book “Durga Saptshati” is read. In the night, “Aarti” is performed with devotion and dedication.

Mantra to Chant

To seek the blessings of Mata Shail Putri one must chant the Mantra “Om aim hring kleem chamundayi vichche”. 

Fasting During Navratri 

Many devotees observe fast during these auspicious nine days. They get up early in the morning, take bath and offer prayer to the goddess. They depend on “Satvik” (vegetarian) food which includes fruits, nuts, potatoes, sabudana and curd. Singhare ka atta (kuttu ka atta) is also used to prepare puris or rotis for the fast. 

During Navratri one should avoid eating non-vegetarian food and should also avoid alcohol. In some families onion and garlic are also not used during Navratri. 

Click here to know the Shubh Muhurat to perform the puja - Shubh Muhurat

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Navratri - The festival of Maa Durga

Navratri - This year Navratri celebrations start from 5th October and ends on 13th October. This festival is celebrated in honour of the three most important goddesses of Hinduism. Durga, Goddess of power and valor; Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and Saraswathi, Goddess of wisdom. Read on to know more about Navratri.. 

The festival of Navratri is celebrated for a stretch of 9 days. Each of the nine days is celebrated with much devotion. The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the next three days to Goddess Lakshmi and the last three days to Goddess Saraswathi. The Tenth day is referred to as Dussehra or Vijayadashami. Navratri is a very popular and one of the most important festivals of India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal and Karnataka. The Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal, the Garba dance celebrations in Gujarat and the Mysore Dussehra celebrations in Karnataka are world famous.

Click here to know the Shubh Muhurat for the coming nine days of puja - Shubh Muhurat

Astrosage will be doing an exclusive coverage on all the nine days celebrations of Navratri. For now this article will give you an overview of the nine days to come.

The Nine Days Of Navratri

First Day: On this day the first form of Goddess Durga called Shailputri is worshipped. According to legends Shailaputri is the daughter of Himalayas.

Second Day: On this day the second form of Goddess Durga called Brahmacharini is worshipped. The word Brahma in her name stands for penance, she is a form of Maha Shakti.

Third Day: On this day Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. She represents the beauty and bravery of the women, also a form of Maha Shakti.

Click here to download - Goddess Durga Wallpapers

Fourth Day: On this day Goddess Kushmanada is worshipped. According to legends the entire universe was created by Kushmanda’s laughter.

Fifth Day: On this day Goddess Skand Mata is worshipped who is the mother of Skanda. According to legends Skanda is the chief warrior of Gods army.

Sixth Day: On this day Goddess Katyayani is worshipped. Her vahana is the Lion which was given to her by Goddess Gauri to slay the demon King Mahishasur.

Click here to download - Goddess Lakshmi Wallpapers

Seventh Day: On this day Goddess Kalratri is worshipped. This form of Durga is considered to be the most violent form. Her appearance is black and she is prayed to overcome fears.

Eight Day: On this day Goddess Maha Gauri is worshipped. Goddess Gauri is the epitome of beauty and wisdom.

Ninth Day: On this day Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped. Siddhidatri is the goddess of all rishi-munis and Yogis. She is the Goddess who possess all the eight siddhis.

Click here to download - Goddess Saraswati Wallpapers

Here’s wishing a Happy Navratri to one and all !

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