Shardiya Navratri 2024

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Shardiya Navratri, the auspicious nine-day festival, is dedicated to the worship of the magnificent Goddess Durga. This Hindu festival is dedicated to celebrating Goddess Durga and her nine different avatars, which are known as Navdurga. Also known as the Maha Navratri, Shardiya Navratri is believed to be the most significant and well-known among all the Navratris. On this festival, all the devotees worship the Goddess for nine days, observe fast, and do the Navratri Kanya Pujan on the last day. 

During these nine days, the divine deity is believed to listen to all the prayers and grant boons to the devotees. This festival is a grand spectacle of devotion, culture, and tradition in India.

Shardiya Navratri 2024 Date And Time: A Must-Know Guide

Shardiya Navratri, also popularly known as Ashwin Navratri, will be celebrated from 03rd October 2024, Thursday  till 12th October 2024, Monday. 

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When Should You Perform Ghatasthapana? 

Kalash Sthapana, or establishing the Kalash, is one of the most important rituals during Shardiya Navratri. Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Navratri. This ritual is performed on Pratipada Tithi, i.e., the starting day of Navratri. It is best to avoid Chitra Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga for doing Ghatasthapana; however, those are not prohibited. 

Here are all the important Shardiya Navratri 2024 dates and timings. 

  • Shardiya Navratri Ghatasthapana- 3rd October 2024 (Thursday)

  • Ghatasthapana Timing - 06:15 AM to 7:22 AM (Duration time - 01 Hour 06 Mins)

  • Ghatasthapana Abhijit Timing - 11:45 AM to 12:32 PM (Duration time - 00 Hours 47 Mins)

  • Pratipada Tithi (Starts) - 12:18 AM, 3rd October, 2024

  • Pratipada Tithi (Ends) - 02:57 AM, 4th October, 2024

When Is Shardiya Navratri Usually Celebrated? 

Four types of Navratri observances occur during a year - Shardiya Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Magha Gupt Navratri, and Ashadha Gupt Navratri. Out of all four Navratri - Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri are particularly significant, while the other two are also known as Gupt Navratri.

Shardiya Navratri is celebrated during the Indian lunar month of Ashwin during the Sharad Ritu. No wonder the name 'Shardiya Navratri' has been derived from Sharad Ritu. It falls on the Shukla Paksha (the bright Lunar fortnight) of Ashwin month. As per the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in September or October.

What is The Significance of Shardiya Navratri?

As can be gauged from the name Shardiya Navratri, this grand festival is celebrated over nine 'Ratris' or nine nights. The nine-day festivities finally conclude on the tenth day of the lunar month, Ashwin. This day is known as Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra. Durga Puja is celebrated from the fifth day of Navratri, and the festival culminates with Vijayadashami on the tenth day. Goddess Durga, the embodiment of power, energy, and wisdom, is worshiped during this festival. 

Ashwin Navratri is observed to commemorate the killing of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga, who symbolizes divine feminine power, is manifested in her nine different forms, each symbolizing a facet of this feminine power. Lord Ram also defeated the demon King Raavan and killed him. This is why the festival is also the symbolic celebration of the battle of the good against evil and the final triumph of the good on the tenth day. This is why the tenth day of victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami. 

Many devotees observe fasts during Navratri, abstaining from certain food items. This period of Ashwin Navratri is characterized by multiple rituals and observances that deepen the devotees' connection with the divine. 

How Many Forms of Goddess Durga Are Worshiped During Shardiya Navratri?

Nine forms of the powerful and divine Goddess Durga are worshiped on the nine days of Shardiya Navratri.

  • Day 1 - Goddess Shailputri 

  • Day 2 - Goddess Brahmacharini

  • Day 3 - Goddess Chandraghanta

  • Day 4 - Goddess Kushmanda 

  • Day 5 - Goddess Skandamata 

  • Day 6 - Goddess Katyayani

  • Day 7 - Goddess Kalaratri 

  • Day 8 - Goddess Mahagauri

  • Day 9 - Goddess Siddhidatri 

What is The Difference Between Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri?

Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri are two major festivals that hold special religious significance in India. Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, falls in the Chaitra month, generally in March or April. The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the pleasant springtime. On the other hand, Shardiya Navratri occurs during the Sharad or autumn season, typically in September or October. The festival is celebrated when the nights start getting longer and crisper.

The Ritual And Regional Differences 

During Chaitra Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshiped for nine days. Then, Ram Navami is celebrated at the end of Chaitra Navratri. Shardiya Navratri concludes with Mahanavami (9th day) and Vijayadashami and Dussehra on the 10th day.

During Chaitra Navratri, there is more value put on keeping tough fasts and doing meditation; it's all about turning inwards, whereas during the Shardiya Navratri, the emphasis is on worship and celebration. Garba and Dandiya Raas are more prominent during the Shardiya Navratri

While celebrated nationwide, Chaitra Navratri holds special significance in Northern India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. On the other hand, Shardiya Navratri is fervently celebrated in West Bengal and Gujarat. Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal to worship Goddess Durga. 

Shardiya Navratri Puja Samagri You Must Know

In Shardiya Navratri, various Puja Samagri (materials) are used to worship Goddess Durga and Ghatasthapana. Kumkum, barley grains, soil, flowers, fruits, sweets, earthen pot, Kalash filled with water, cardamom, cloves, camphor, Roli, coins, whole Betel nut, Mauli, whole rice, five leaves of Ashoka or Mango, coconut, perfume, Batasha, Diya, Ghee/oil, incense sticks, red Chunari, Kalawa, vermillion, red clothes, makeup items, and idol or photo of the Goddess are required. Goddess Durga is believed to love the color red; hence, a red Chowki and red clothes should be chosen. 

Important Shardiya Navratri Rituals You Should Know

Devotees fervently offer prayers, observe fasts, and engage in various rituals during Navratri. Shardiya Navratri starts with Kalash Sthapana or Ghatasthapana. This ritual is done for the invocation of the Goddess Shakti. This particular ritual should always be performed at the right time; performing it at the wrong time can anger Goddess Shakti. 

Below is the Shardiya Navratri Ghatasthapana Vidhi that you should keep in mind. 

  • First, wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean clothes to begin the day. This should be done every morning on each day of the festival. 

  • Clean your house and the place of worship and sprinkle holy water to purify it. 

  • Also, put a Toran (a decorative door hanging) of mango leaves at your house's main entrance.

  • To place the Kalash, put some soil in an earthen pot and sow barley seeds. Now make a Swastika with Roli on a copper Kalash. 

  • The earthen pot in which the barley grains are planted is known as 'Khetri'. Clean soil or mud should be used, and the barley should be washed to remove dirt and soaked in water for some time before planting them. Don't put too much mud or water in the pot; otherwise, the barley won't grow. Mauli is then tied to the Khetri pot. The pot should be kept in the Puja room, and the devotees should observe the progress of the barley through the nine days. Some devotees believe that the longer the barley grows in height, the better it will be for your family's health and prosperity. Others believe that the color of the Khetri is more important. Yellow color Khetri is not considered good, whereas green color Khetri is believed to be good. On the last day of Navratri, Khetri is immersed in a water body like a pond or river. You can also keep the Khetri under a Peepal tree in a temple if there is no water body near you.

  • Fill the copper Kalash with water and add a few drops of the holy water from the Ganges. 

  • Tie Mauli in the upper part of the Kalash. Place Mango or Ashoka leaves on the Kalash, and place a coconut on top of the Kalash. Make sure the coconut is wrapped in a red cloth and tied with a Mauli. 

  • Put seven different types of grains and coins in the Kalash. After this, add Durva, Akshat, Betel nut, and Ittar (Perfume) in it. 

  • Then, install a chowki, place the idol of Goddess Durga, and light a Diya next to it. You can also put the images of the nine avatars of the Goddess on the Chowki along with the idol. 

  • After that, first, invoke Lord Ganesha and then light the Akhand Jyot or lamp by invoking Goddess Durga. Along with installing the Kalash, you must also take a resolution (Sankalp) to observe the Navratri fasts properly. Pray to Lord Ganesha for his blessings for completing the Vrat (Fast) and Puja without any hassle. 

  • Offer flowers, fruits, sweet delicacies, and Prasad to the Goddess. Light incense sticks and perform Aarti for the Goddess. And worship Goddess Durga in the right way. 

  • Recite Durga Saptashati. Once the Puja is done, distribute the Prasad to everyone. 

For the Shardiya Navratri Puja Vidhi to be done properly, you must worship the divine Goddess on the nine days with utmost reverence. 

  • The devotee makes a vow to observe Navratri fast on the first day of Navratri. 

  • Offer the different forms of the Goddess fruits, flowers, and sweets. Light incense sticks and perform the Aarti dedicated to each avatar of the Goddess. 

  • Recite Bhajans, chant Mantras, and sing devotional songs of the Goddess throughout the festival. 

  • Pray to the Goddess sincerely and seek her grace and blessings for nine consecutive days with dedication.

Navratri Kanya Pujan Rituals 

On the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of Navratri, Kanya Pujan is done, wherein young girls are worshiped as incarnations of Goddess Durga. In Navratri Kanya Pujan, young girls are invited home, treated as guests, and worshiped. They are given special meals and presented with gifts and Dakshina.

  • Girls between 2 to 10 years of age should be invited to the Kanya Pujan. There should be at least 9 girls and 1 boy. 

  • When the children come home, you must wash their feet with your hands and apply a Tilak of turmeric, Kumkum, and rice. After that, you should make them sit on a clean seat. 

  • You must serve them Kheer, Puri, and Halwa Chana. 

  • The children's feet should also be washed. After that, you should give them gifts. You can give them money, fruits, sweets, and many other things. After giving them gifts, touch their feet and take their blessings, after which you can see them off respectfully at the door. 

  • Only after feeding the young children the devotees conducting the Puja are supposed to break their fast.

It is believed that Goddess Durga will fulfill all your wishes when you do this ritual. 

Shardiya Navratri: Dos and Don'ts That You Must Know

Dos 

  • It's essential to do the Ghatasthapana on the first day of Navratri. This important Shardiya Navratri ritual should be done while Pratipada prevails. 

  • Staying neat and clean is an essential aspect of Navratri. You should take an early bath before starting your day and worshiping the deity. Puja rituals should only be done once you have taken a bath. You should also keep your house and surroundings clean to attract positivity and prosperity. 

  • Devotees who observe fast on Navratri should use rock salt or Sendha Namak to prepare the Satvik food.

  • You must read Durga Saptashati and perform Aarti daily during Navratri.

  • You should keep the Akhand Jyot ignited for nine days without letting it get extinguished.

Don’ts

  • Do not consume alcohol, intoxicants, or tobacco during this auspicious time.

  • Tamasic food like non-vegetarian items, garlic, onions, eggs, mushrooms, green onions, etc., should not be consumed. People who are not observing this festival should also avoid non-vegetarian food. Devotees observing the fasts should not consume Anaaj like legumes, rice, wheat, lentils, and semolina flour.

  • Cutting your nails or hair or shaving your hair during Shardiya Navratri celebrations is prohibited. 

  • Do not talk ill or bad about others. You shouldn't offend people by your words or actions. Control your anger, don't get into fights and arguments, and always keep calm. Your thoughts should be clean, especially when you are performing the Puja. 

  • Avoid using products made of leather, like belts, wallets, and shoes. 

What Color Clothes to Wear for The Nine Days of Navratri? 

Colors have special importance in Shardiya Navratri. Nine different colors are chosen for the nine days, as each Navratri day is associated with a particular color. Wearing these colors for nine days and worshiping Goddess Durga will fetch you luck and auspicious results. 

Here is the list of the nine colors for Ashwin Navratri

  • Day 1 - Orange 

  • Day 2 - White 

  • Day 3 - Red

  • Day 4 - Royal Blue

  • Day 5 - Yellow

  • Day 6 - Green

  • Day 7 - Grey

  • Day 8 - Purple 

  • Day 9 - Peacock Green 

During Shardiya Navratri, devotees perform the Puja with utmost devotion and sincerity. This festival is marked by devotion, prayer, and contemplation.

To know more about the festival and seek expert advice from astrologers, connect with certified astrologers only at Astroyogi!

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