Navratri (Shardiya Navratri) 2024 is a thrilling and energetic festival celebrated over a period of nine nights.
Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals which is observed over a span of nine days to honor the God who played the role of Krishna Parbrahm. In every aspect of Navaratra, every day has been assigned to the one of Durga's manifestations. A detailed description of the significance and the form of the goddess invoked on each of the nine days is given below:
Important Days consist of Navratri (Shardiya Navratri) 2024 Festival
Ghatasthapana on Thursday, 3rd October 2024
Durgashtami on Friday, 11th October 2024
Maha Navami – Friday, 11th October 2024
- Navratri celebrates a different avatar of Durga on each day, each of which symbolizes different strengths and energies of the goddess.
- The nine forms of Durga are – Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. In order to honor the goddess and celebrate her triumph over evil, devotees celebrate Navratri by fasting, praying, and performing various other rituals.
Shailaputri
- Shailaputri is the sacred incarnation of Goddess Durga who is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.
- She embodies strength and fearlessness and has purpose.
- As the daughter of the mountain, she is stability and endurance.
- Navratri (Shardiya Navratri) 2024 Her being feminine within Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva signifies every aspect: the creation, the sustenance, and the annihilation of the cosmos.
Brahmacharini
- In this portrayal, a young lady is pointing a rosary in one hand while having a water tool in the other hand to signify her devotion to punishment and discipline.
- Worship Brahmacharini as a deity associated with the planet Mars.
- These two planets symbolize bravery, resolve, and hard work.
- The devotees have faith that Brahmacharini can help them develop these qualities within them during the navratri festival so that they can face challenges in their lives.
Chandraghanta
- Chandraghanta is commonly portrayed as having ten arms with each hand holding some instrument or symbol of power.
- She is credited with bestowing peace, tranquility, and riches to her worshippers.
- The crescent moon on the head enhances the feminine delicacy and charm.
- It is said that worshipping Chandraghanta in Navratri helps to ward off evil forces and other negative energies.
- Devotees offer milk, fruits, and flowers to her in order to receive her care and help in their lives.
Kushmanda
- Maa Kushmanda is one of the most ignored yet worshiped avatars of the goddess Durga on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri.
- It is said that the universe was created by her just by smiling, which is also why she is called Ashtabhuja Devi..
Skandamata
- It is said that Skandamata is the goddess who gave birth to Kartikeya also called Skanda.
- She is portrayed riding a lion with one of her hands lifting her son.
- Skandamata is often painted with four hands meaning she is the source of protection and blessings to her followers.
- She is also seen as a warrior mother fiercely protecting her children while giving them strength and bravery.
Katyayani
- As the narrative goes, the birth of Katyayani is attributed to sage Katyayana, from which the name is derived.
- She is seen as a formidable goddess for which devotees seek strength, courage and protection.
- It is believed that Goddess Katyayani's worship during the Navratri festival transforms the energies and blessings of the Goddess, with her seekers also actively participating in the rituals.
- She also empowers people to take up the challenges and obstacles in their way without any backing out.
Kalaratri
- Kalaratri is frequently illustrated as a black skinned, unkempt haired, and multiple-armed figure wielding a sword, a trident, a thunderbolt, and so on.
- It is claimed that she saves her followers from the evil and gives them the strength and the courage to fight the challenges that life throws their way.
- Through the worship of Kalaratri during the Navratri festivals, the devotees ask her supposed blessings for their protection and empowerment.
- This fierce aspect of the goddess illustrates the capability to be victorious over all of the challenges in the world, including the more ominous challenge which is oneself.
Mahagauri
- The qualities of Mahagauri are thought to stand for cleanliness, peace and calmness.
- She is shown as a young girl with a light skin tone, wearing fair clothes and mostly carrying a trishul and a damru.
- Mahagauri is worshiped by her followers for peace of mind, knowledge and religious advancement.
- This soft aspect of her during the festivities of Navaratri reminds one of the need to balance all areas in one's life and the quest for the purity of thoughts, speech and actions.
- Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri facilitates transcending difficulties in the path of spiritual practice seeking enlightenment.
Siddhidatri
- According to popular belief, Navratri (Shardiya Navratri) 2024Siddhidatri can grant her devotees every type of Siddhi, also known as supernatural powers including healing, knowledge, wisdom, and even spiritual enlightenment.
- She is represented as squatting on a lotus flower in a seated posture with four arms and four objects- a discus, a conch shell, a mace, and a lotus held in each of her hands.
As a part of the festival every day devotees dress up in clothes or saris of a specific colour to pay respect to the goddess of the day. The nine days go with a lot of prayers, fasting, and in some places local dances like Garba and Dandiya are held.
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