Navratri , Three Festivals at One Time
What is Navratri
The word Navratri means
‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit – ‘nava’ meaning nine and ‘ratri’ meaning nights.
During this time, nine different forms of the female divinity known as ‘Shakti’
(female power), ‘Devi’ (Goddess) or ‘Durga’ (name of a Goddess) are worshipped.
During Navratri many people fast for the first and last day, the first eight
days, or all nine days. Some sing devotional songs and perform rituals every
morning and night in their home. Many families make a place for the goddess in
their home and call her to stay there for the nine days. For many people,
particularly women,Navratri is the most important time of worship throughout
the year.
The days of Navratri
are actually the time for three major festivals - Navratri, Durga Puja, and
Dusshera, each of which are celebrated with different customs and importance
depending on the region.
The festival of
Navrātra commences on the first day (pratipadā) of the bright fortnight of the
Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. During this vowed religious observance, a clay pot
is installed (Ghatasthapana) in a sanctified section of one's home. A lamp
is placed in the pot and it is kept lit for nine days. The pot
symbolises the universe. The uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which
we worship the brilliant primordial energy, Ādi-shakti, i.e. Shrī Durgā Dēvī.
During Navratri, the principle of Shri Durga Devi is more active in the
atmosphere. When we understand the spiritual science behind the various rites
that come under the worship of Shri Durga Devi, we become worthy of absorbing
more of the Divine Energy principle, thereby acquiring more of Her grace.
Navratri is the
detoxification of body, mind and soul. Body detoxification involves Navratri
diet containing eating less devoid of cereals. In Navratri diet flour is
replaced with Kuttu or Singhara flour; pulses with amaranth or Rajgiri and Rice
with Samak rice. Mental and soul detoxification involves practicing Yoga Sadhna
as described in nine forms of Durga.
Various Parts of India Celebrate Navratri
In North India, this
time is marked by intense fasting during the nine days of Navratri.
In the Kulu valley of
Himachal Pradesh, the hill-folk celebrate Dasara with a grand mass ceremony. On
the day of Dusshera, village deities are taken out in elaborate processions.
Navratri is celebrated
in Punjab by fasting for seven days. On the eighth day or Ashtami, the fast is
broken by worshipping young girls who are believed to symbolize the Goddess
herself. This festival is predominantly linked with harvest. The young girls
are offered puris (sort of deep-fried Indian bread), halwa (a dessert primarily
made of flour and sugar), chanas (Bengal gram) and red chunnis (long scarves).
Western India celebrates with a special dances
called Garba. According to Hinduism, performing 'Garbā' means
singing devotional hymns praising the Goddess with rhythmic clapping.
Singing devotional hymns means of awakening Shri Durga Devi from Her
meditation through the medium of the manifest spiritual practice of rhythmic
clapping, and appealing to her to assume the destructive form for Her
activity in the Universe.
Reason for performing Garbā
with three claps:
The destroyer form of the Goddess is awakened by the
musical rhythm of three claps through the frequencies of desire (ichhā),
action (kriyā) and knowledge (dnyān), representing the
Bramhā, Vishṇu and Mahēsh principles.
Bramhā, Vishṇu and Mahēsh are the three main
manifest energies of God. During Navratri the destroyer principle of
Goddess Durga gets awakened slowly and gradually. The destroyer form of the
Goddess is channeled through these three energies. By clapping three times, the
energy of Her resolve (sankalpa) gets activated. Hence it is
more desirable and fruitful to praise the Goddess through the rhythmic movement
of three claps. The meaning of the three claps is as follows
·
The first clap is
related to the Brahma principle which is symbolised by the energy of
desire. As a result, the energy of desire of Brahma gets awakened in the
universe. This energy also gives approval to the wishes in the mind of the
embodied soul (jiva), according to his spiritual emotion.
·
Through the medium of
the second clap, the action related waves of the Vishnu principle give energy
to the embodied soul for performing actions.
·
Through the medium of
the third clap, the knowledge waves of the Shiva principle bring about the
actual act and from its result give the desired fruits to the embodied soul.
The act of clapping generates the fire element,
so it is possible to awaken the destructive form of the Goddess through the
striking of the claps. The act of clapping is symbolic of the worship of the
fire element. Invoking the Goddess by the singing of devotion
filled hymns and moving around in a circle while clapping helps in the
awakening of spiritual emotion towards the Goddess.
In Maharashtra,
celebrations are slightly different. Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga
while the Vijayadashami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.
Here, this day is considered auspicious to start education, buy new homes, and
start new ventures.
In South India and
Nepal, it is the day of Dusshera that is given the most importance.
In Tamil Nadu, the
first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth
and prosperity. During this time they perform puja every night and regular
cleaning is maintained all throughout because it is believed that Lakshmi would
not enter if the place is dirty. The next three days are devoted to Saraswati,
the Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).
Bommai
Kolu
In Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh, women arrange 'Bommai Kolu', a special placing of dolls in various
costumes decorated with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps. Nine
young 'kanyas' or virgins are offered new clothes and sweets as the goddesses
and married women share flowers, kumkum and snacks among themselves.
In Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka, families arrange dolls (Bommai Kolu) on artificially
constructed steps and prepare an elaborate spread of lamps and flowers. Women
traditionally exchange gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.
The Dusshera of Mysore
is also quite famous where decorated elephants lead a colourful procession
through the gaily-dressed streets of the city. During Navaratri Chamundi, the
royal deity of the Mysore royalty is worshipped with pomp and religious fervor.
Durga Puja
In the East, Durga Puja
is the largest and wildest celebration of the year. In West-Bengal, Navaratri
is celebrated in the form of Durga Puja. This festival is essentially religious
in nature. Celebrated with true devotion, huge idols of the Goddess Durga posed
as killing the demon Mahishasura are worshipped everywhere in West Bengal. Huge
'pandals' are set up every where and devotees in large numbers visit to worship
Goddess Durga. Men and women and children all dressed up in new clothes visit
different ‘pandals’ to offer prayers to the Mother Goddess.
All three festivals
overlap in many ways.
Navratri - Pratipada(First Day)
Pratipada
(First day) of Navratri
The first night of Navratri festival is dedicated to Shailputri. Shailputri is
believed to be the protector of forest.
Goddess Parvati is Maa Shailaputri. Her First Incarnation was
that of Maa Sati.
From the time Maa Sati was a Child, She had only one
focus and aim in life, Lord Shiva. As She grew up Her Love and devotion for The
Lord grew deeper. She began Her penance to please Lord Shiva and She pleased
The Lord, and The Lord manifested in front of Her to grant Her a boon. Maa Sati
asked The Lord for His eternal companionship as Man and Wife. It was granted.
But there was a catch. Maa Sati’s father Daksha
Prajapati for some odd reason wasn’t too kosher about this heavenly Union. When
he organized a major puja - havan (those days they called it a Yagna),
our man Daksha Prajapati, on purpose decided to call all the Gods and Their
progeny but did not invite Lord Shiva. Maa Sati was furious and told Lord Shiva
that this was an insult which She would not tolerate and expressed a desire to
confront the father and give him a piece of Her mind. Lord Shiva tried His
level best to talk Maa Sati out of this meeting but to no avail. He warned Her
that this meeting could lead to disaster but Maa Sati was furious and beyond
reason. Eventually Lord Shiva gave in.
When Maa Sati entered the place of the Yagna,
to her disbelief, She realised that Her father, along with a few of the
household staff and Her sisters too, were bad mouthing Lord Shiva.
Maa Sati, who loved and worshipped Lord Shiva all
Her life, could not take the humiliation and the harsh words directed to The
Lord. Already angry, this was the final straw, and She through Her Yog Shakti
engulfed Herself in Fire.
When Lord Shiva realised that His beloved Sati was
no more in the body He ordered His army to destroy the place and went into
silence for a long time.
Sati Maa’s love was so pure and innocent that She
was reborn as Maa Parvati and is also known as Sahilaputri. She is the daughter
of the Lord of the Mountains, Himalaya. Maa again won Lord Shiva through Her
love, devotion and penance, and the First Day and Night of Nav Ratras,
Maa Shailaputri is worshipped. She is the First Form of Nav Durga.
Maa holds The Trishul in the right hand and a Lotus
in the other. Her vehicle is The Bull, Nandi.
According to Yogis and other spiritual
practitioners, Maa Shailaputri represents the root Chakra or the
Muladhara Chakra and it is considered the first or initial platform
for all spiritual practices to commence.
The Prayer for Maa Shailaputri given by
Baba Sai of Shirdi is given below.
I worship Goddess Maa Shailaputri,
She who has a crescent moon on Her head, rides
on a bull, carrying a Trishul and is ever known,
Bless me with the same love and devotion Thou
had for Your Lord,
Let me always be filled with Thy fire of Oneness
You are the First One, Thy name is Sati,
I chant Your Name, worship You, praise You
forever more Maa Shailaputri
1. In mythology Mata Shailputri is a daughter of mountain king – Himalaya. She
is the first among nine avatars of Durga and worshiped on the First day of
Navratri.
2. In yogic language it represents the lowest chakra, Muladhara chakra. And the
bija sound to chant is LAM in the sacral root area. In allopathic language it
represents activation of sacral plexus.
3. The Mother Goddess has a half moon in her forehead & she is holding a
trident (trishul) in her right hand & lotus flower in her left hand. She
rides on mount Nandi a bull.
4. Bull in mythology represents ‘desires’. On the first day we must let go our
desires.
5.Trishul in mythology represents balancing Tamas, Rajas and Satwa
6.Lotus in mythology indicates practicing detached attachment.
7.Moon in mythology means thinking with a cool mind.
8. Shailputri represents the shakti or power of the root chakra, who, upon
awakening, begins Her journey upwards in search for the last crown chakra
(Shiva).
9. In Navratri pooja on the first day Yogi keep their mind concentrated on Muladhara
chakra as the starting point of spiritual discipline or Yoga Sadhna.
What
to do on first day
- Let go your desires
- Keep the mind cool
- Practice detached attachment
- Balance Tamas and Rajas guna
with Satwa. or to stay in balance.
- Concentrate on Muladhara
chakra (sacral root)
- Chant LAM reducing the
respiratory rate to 2-4 per minute.
- . In Ayurveda Muladhara chakra
represents the earth element.
Gist: On the first day we control (riding), our desires (bull) by
balancing (Trishul) the mind with cool thoughts (moon) and practicing
detachment (lotus). This can be assisted by chanting LAM focusing on
sacral chakra.
“Spiritual summary:
Purify the mind (white cloths) with continuous efforts (japa mala) by accepting
the things and situations as they are (kamalandu) and building humility in the
mind (egoless state)”. This can be
assisted by chanting VAM focusing on 2nd gonadal chakra.
Brahmacharini (Tapasyacharini)
In reality Maa Brahmacharini is once again Maa
Parvati. This Second Form of Nav Durga is the One related to the most severe
penances connected with Devi worship. This Form of Maa Durga is connected with
the penance done by Maa Sati and Maa Parvati to get the boon of eternal
companionship with Lord Shiva. But this Form is related more with Maa Parvati’s
penance for Lord Shiva which went on for thousands of years.
We are already aware of why Maa Sati set Herself
ablaze in the holy Fire. She takes birth again as Maa Parvati. One day Lord
Vishnu’s eternal disciple; the Sage Narada, visited the kingdom of King
Himalaya. The moment He saw Maa Parvati, who was then a very young Woman, the
revered Sage bowed down to Maa Parvati. Himalaya and his wife were astounded as
to why Sage Narada would bow down to their Daughter. It was then, that Narada
revealed to her parents the true origin of Maa Parvati and how Maa Parvati in the
former Form of Maa Sati had won over Lord Shiva, became The Lord’s Wife and how
She couldn’t bear the humiliation meted out to Her by Her extremely strange
father and thus immolated Herself, and now, here She was, as Maa Parvati.
I am sure the very Energy behind Her Past
Incarnation, which was spoken by Narada, must have evoked long lost memories
and Maa Parvati requested the Sage to reveal how She could win over Lord Shiva
again. The Sage revealed that now, for Lord Shiva to again accept anybody as
His wife and companion, Maa Parvati would really have to raise the bar of
asceticism and penances.
So, Maa left Her parents, the palace, the comforts
and began Her quest for pleasing Lord Shiva. Her penances are considered the
most severe. For the first thousand years Maa meditated and prayed to Lord
Shiva and lived on fruits and roots. Then, for the next three thousand years
She lived on only leaves and then only on water, disregarding Her physical
state or the elements of nature. It was but natural that She became skin and
bone, and Her only emancipation was being the Spouse of Lord Shiva.
Maa’s penance eventually forced all the Gods and
Sages to approach Lord Brahma who then blessed Maa Parvati that She would
become The Divine Spouse of Lord Shiva. He also blessed Her, through which Her
health and beauty were regained and thus titled Her ‘Brahmacharini’, which
means ‘The One who is a celibate Woman’.
Lord Shiva then married Maa Parvati.
All the severe penances and fasts / upvaas
that women do and keep are to please Maa Brahmcharini who is none other than
Maa Parvati who is none other than Maa Sati who are the Forms of Shakti or
Woman Energy. Thus, They are all One, and worshiped as the Second Form of Maa
Durga.
Maa as Brahmacharini, wears simple white and in some
places shown as wearing a pink saree. Maa carries a rudraksha mala or rosary in
Her right hand and in the other hand a Kamandalu (a pitcher carried by Sages).
She is, and appears very calm, serene and is always in the state of meditation. She stands for renunciation, patience
and penance; and endows Her devotees and disciples with dedication, Will Power,
focus, courage, strength as well as wellbeing and eternal peace.
Yogis and spiritual practitioners who pray to Maa
Brahmacharini focus on the Third Chakra, which is below the navel, the
Manipura Chakra. This Chakra is thus associated with Maa
Bhramacharini and according to Baba Sai of Shirdi, This is the Chakra
where all the powers and strengths reside.
The prayer channeled by Baba Sai for Maa
Brahmacharini is as follows. If you want the original Sanskrit version and
meaning; as I say often, we have God and then we have Google.
O Goddess Maa Brahmacharini,
Bless me with purity, dedication, courage and
perseverance.
Bless me with Your devotion to achieve merger
with Thou and my Lord and Master.
Never let me be afraid to make Thou happy and
proud of me,
Never let the world distract me from my highest
goals.
Bless me Maa Parvati to shake the very heaven
with my faith, dedication, love and need of merger with Thou.
Brahmacharini (Uma or
Tapacharini) is worshipped on 2nd day of Navratri as the
goddess who performed ‘Tapa’ (penance or continuous efforts) (Brahma – Tapa,
Charini – Performer).
SHE personifies love and
loyalty and provides knowledge and wisdom. Those who worship her, attain, Tap
(Religious Austerity), Tyagi (Sacrifice), and Vairagya (Asceticism).
She is shown to hold Japa
mala (rosary beads) in her right hand and Kamandal in left hand. This
form of Shakti as per Yoga Shastras is present in second gonad chakra (in
Allopathy gonad plexus) called Svadhisthana Chakra. The bija sound for
the chakras is VAM which removes attachments. In Ayurveda the 2nd Chakra
represents the water element.
In mythology ‘white’
represents purity of mind; beaded rosary or japa mala represents continuous
efforts (meditation and concentration) and Kamandal represents acceptance and
water in it represents pure thoughts.
Kamandalu also means
living an egoless state of mind. Kamandalu is a water pot made from a dry
pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva. The process
of making Kamandalu has deep spiritual significance.
A ripe pumpkin is plucked
from a plant, its fruit is removed and the shell is cleaned for containing the
nectar. In the same way, an individual must break away from attachment to the
physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to
experience the bliss of the Self, symbolized by the nectar in the Kamandalu.
Maa Chandraghanta
Worship : 3rd Navratri (Controlling your negative energies)
Maa Durga in Her Third Avatar for the first time
shows Herself as The Ferocious One. Maa Chandraghanta (because Maa has a
bell-shaped half moon on Her forehead, thus the word ghanta meaning bell). She
is worshipped on The Third Day and is ten armed and rides a Lion. She is
worshipped by those who want the help of the Goddess to ward off opponents,
foes and those who resort to corrupt and evil means.
In this Avatar, Maa is always ready for war against
all which is evil and the dark side of Creation. Those who pray to This Form of
Maa Durga, experience fearlessness merged with tranquility. It is said that all
mental and emotional fears are eradicated when one prays to Maa Chandraghanta
and the devotees are further blessed with a powerful aura and blessed speech.
The devotee is enveloped by Maa’s Aura, and thus,
develops confidence and exudes strength and power, as well as has a charismatic
pull over all he or she interacts with. Though Maa’s appearance might look
ferocious, She is ever loving, always merciful and most tender to those who
pray to Her.
Many believe that one can look into the future with
the grace of Maa Chandraghanta and get Divine Fragrance or hear sounds, which
herald Maa’s Presence in your life. Maa’s very shout can make Her enemies,
demons and those who indulge in evil tremble, and go back to where they have
come from.
Maa Chandraghanta’s prayer as Baba Sai of Shirdi has
given is:
O Goddess Maa Chandraghanta, riding a Tiger,
Protect me from my enemies, those visible and
those unseen, make me as noble and brave as Thou,
The One who holds many weapons in Her ten hands,
keep me and my loved ones always Protected and Bless me with Your favour.
1. Chadraghanta is
worshipped on the third day of Navratri
2. SHE is shown with
golden skin and riding a tiger. She is depicted with ten hands and 3 eyes with
a crescent moon on the head.
3. Eight of HER hands
display weapons. The rest two are in the mudras or gestures of boon giving and
stopping harm (Varada and abhay mudra) indicating protection.
4. Out of eight hands
five contains Bow and arrow (to bend, focus, one point determination, The
bow and arrows also represent energy. Holding both the bow and arrows in one
hand indicates control over both potential and kinetic energies); Trishul
(balance), sword (sharp intelligence) and mace (power to destroy the evil).
Rest three hands contains rosary (tapas); lotus (detached attachment) and
Kamandalu (acceptance).
5. In Ayurveda SHE
represents the control over the fire element.
6. In Yogashstra SHE
represents the solar or Manipura Chakra with the Bija sound RAM.
7. Sound of her bell
terrifies demons as well as all enemies.
8. SHE represents
protector and bravery.
Spiritual message
on the 3rd Navratri: One
should continuously (beaded rosary) control the fire (solar plexus) within by
using our sharp intelligence (sword) and balancing the mind (Trishul) by
focusing on one point (arrow and bow), practicing detached attachment (lotus),
accepting things as they are (Kamandalu) and killing the negative energies by
using gada (power) when needed.

Maa Durga’s Fourth Swaroop or Divine Form is that of
Kushmanda. Maa is considered as the Mother of all Creation, all planets, stars,
galaxies, and the universe. The Sun is Her home and dwelling. Kushmanda means
‘The One who created the Universe as a tiny celestial egg’. She has created the
Universe, and thus is also known as the Primordial One, or as ‘Adi Shakti’.
Many consider This Roop of Maa Durga as The Creator. She has breathed life into
all things and beings; and by praying to This Form of Maa, the devotee is
bestowed by Maa Kushmanda with resplendent glory, fame and wellbeing. As She
resides in the Sun; and only She can reside in the Sun, as She has created it
all, Her Form is luminous and resplendent like the Sun. In fact the very Sun
gets Its warmth and radiance because Maa dwells in it. She has eight hands and
thus is also called Ashtabhuja.
Maa Kamandalu has in seven hands a vase of Nectar, a
discus, a bow, an arrow, a Lotus (the Lotus is so important to The Goddess) and
a Mace. But it is what She holds in Her eighth hand which is most important for
Yogis and spiritual aspirants; She holds a rosary that can grant the eight all
important Siddhis (knowledge / wisdom of all one needs to know) and
Nine Niddhis, (powers and wealth of all types.) Maa is seated on a
Lion. Having created the Sun along with all of Creation, those who have a
malefic Sun in their astrological chart must worship Maa Kushmanda.
Maa Kushmanda is seated in the Heart Chakra;
Anahata. For a long life, success, fame and prosperity, Maa Kushmanda
is appeased with purity, love and dedication. (I guess all Mothers are appeased
with purity, love and dedication.)
The prayer one can chant to appease Maa Kushmanda,
according to Baba Sai is:
Maa Kushmanda,
Shine through me like the Sun.
Let Thy radiance permeate within me and through
me to all of creation,
Let my name, fame and glory be attached with
Thou and with eight siddhis and nine niddhis, bless me Maa
So that I can serve and spread Thy Radiance
1.
Kushmanda is worshipped
on the fourth day of Navratri.
2.
SHE shines brightly with
a laughing face.
3.
Out of eight hands
(Ashtabhuja) in her four arms, she carries weapons like bow, arrow, discus and
mace. In other three hands, she holds a lotus, a beaded rosary and a Kamandalu.
In remaining hand, she carries a jar of nectar.
4.
SHE rides on Lion.
5.
Rosary represents her power
to bless her devotees with Ashtasiddhi (eight types of studies or wisdom
sources) and Navanidhi (nine types of wealth).
6.
In Ayurveda SHE
represents the control over the air element.
7.
In Yoga Shastra SHE
represents the heart or Anhata Chakra with the Bija sound YAM.
Spiritual message
on the 4th Navratri: One should
continuously (beaded rosary) control the air (anahata plexus) within us by
using our sharp intelligence (sword) and balancing the mind (Trishul) by
focusing on one point (arrow and bow), practicing detached attachment (lotus),
accepting things as they are (Kamandalu), keep smiling in both acceptable and
difficult situations (smiling face) and killing the negative energies by using
discus (power) when needed.
Maa Skanda: 5th Navratri
Skanda Maa is The Fifth Manifestation of Maa Durga.
She is also called Skanda Mata, derived from Her son; Kartikeya, who amidst
other Names is also called Skanda. Thus, She is called Skanda Mata;
The Mother of Skanda, would be the literal translation. Lord Skanda is also
known as Subramanya and Murugan.
Lord Skanda / Kartikeya / Subramaniya / Murugan was
appointed as the Chief Commander of The Gods and Their Army to fight against
the demons.
Kartikeya is the brother of Lord Ganesha; thus
logically, Skanda
Mata, who is the Fifth Manifestation of Maa Durga is Maa Parvati
who is Maa Sati who is Maa Shakti.
Maa Skanda is seated on a Lotus; thus, She is also
called The Goddess with a lotus - seat. Her mode of transport is the faithful
Lion. She is seen carrying two Lotus flowers, a Kamandalu again, and a bell.
With one hand She blesses one and all and with the other hand She holds Her son
Kartikeya or Skanda.
When Skanda Mata is worshipped, Her Son, Kartikeya, is
automatically paid homage and obeisance to. The importance of worshiping Skanda Mata is
that She desires pure, dedicated, selfless love and devotion, and thus happily
grants the devotee / disciple with prosperity and wellbeing. I think in This
Roop, Maa seeks disciples rather than devotees. A disciple is one who has surrendered
to his or her Lord, Goddess and Master. A devotee worships The One but still
hangs on to his or her own ego. It is said that with the grace and blessings of
Skanda Mata
and Lord Kartikeya, the disciple gains salvation.
Prayer for Skanda Mata, once again none of them
are traditional prayers, but what comes forth from Baba Sai of Shirdi.
Skanda Mata, Mother of Lord Kartikeya, seated on
the Lotus, in the world, but still detached from it;
The One on the Lion, make my heart and mind,
child like, completely immersed and surrendered to You,
With Thy son Kartikeya Subramaniya’s grace make
me face my lower energies and the world like a warrior
Like Your child, take care of me and my lot,
Oh Mother Skanda, May Thou and Thy Son, Lord
Subramanya, The Skanda, be always pleased with me and my loved ones.
Skanda Mata represents Visuddha Chakra, which
is the Throat Chakra.
Skanda, as a child in the lap of Skanda Mata basically signifies the purity of a child or in
this case purity of the mind.
1. Skanda Mata is worshipped on the fifth Day
of Navratri.
2. SHE is holding her son ‘Skandaa or
Kartikaya’ on her lap.
3. SHE has three eyes and four
hands
4. 2 hands hold lotuses while the other 2
hands respectively display defending and granting gestures.
5. She is the ocean of knowledge.
6. She rides on a lion.
7. In Yoga Shastra she represents
the Vishuddha chakra and HAM bija mantra.
8. She also dignifies motherhood,
fertility and mother child relationship.
9. Skandaa means the one with six
heads corresponding to the five senses and the mind. Or the one who has a
control over the six demonic vices: kaama (sex), krodha (anger), lobha (greed),
moha (passion), mada (ego) and matsarya (jealousy).
10. Kartikeya carries on one hand a spear and
his other hand is always blessing devotees. His vehicle is a peacock, a pious
bird that grips with its feet a serpent, which symbolizes the ego and desires
of people. The peacock represents the destroyer of harmful habits and the
conqueror of sensual desires.
Spiritual message on the 5th
Navratri: One should learn detached
attachment as the main principle of spirituality.
Maa Katyayani:6th Navratri
This is The Sixth Form of Maa Durga, which is most
commonly and widely known; The destroyer of Mahishasura. Maa Katyayani’s Name
is derived from a Sage called Kaatyaayana. Sage Kaatyaayana was a devotee and
disciple of Maa Durga. He worshipped Her with love, dedication and sincerity.
Maa Durga pleased with Him, appeared before Him, and told Him to ask for a
boon. The Sage asked Maa to be born as His Daughter. Maa blessed Him.
When Mahishasura began to play havoc with Gods and
all of Creation, Maa Durga took birth as Sage Kaatyaayana’s Daughter, and thus,
was called Maa Katyayani, The Daughter of Kaatyaayana.
Legend says that Maa Katyayani was worshipped by
Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and all other Gods for three days, in order to give
Her all the Power to destroy Mahishasura.
Sage Kaatyaayana was overjoyed, but Maa showed Him
Her True Form. She became huge and resplendent. Maa let Herself be worshipped
by Sage Kaatyaayana for three days, and then, She went and gave Mahishasur the
pink slip by relieving His spirit from His body.
Maa carries a sword, a shield and a Lotus. She
blesses with one hand and her vehicle is the Lion. Maa Katyayani can be easily
pleased with love and devotion, who then destroys the sins of Her devotees and
grants them material wellbeing, luxuries, pleasures and liberation.
The prayer given by Baba Sai of Shirdi to appease
Maa Katyayani is as follows:
Maa Katyayani, the destroyer of demons,
Free me from my lower energies,
Destroy all that which Thou doesn’t approve of
within me and around me,
But do so tenderly Maa
Bless me with protection, prosperity, success
and courage.
1. Mata Katyayani is worshipped on the
sixth day of Navratri.
2. SHE has three eyes and four hands and
rides on a Lion.
3. The top right hand is positioned in a
gesture of providing courage and the other hand is positioned in a gesture of
rendering a boon. The top left hand is holding a sword and the other holding a
lotus.
4. In Yoga Shastra she represents the
Ajna Chakra and AUM bija mantra.
5. AUM chanting helps attaining success
in religion, wealth, passion and salvation and removing fear and sorrows.
Spiritual message on the 6th
Navratri: AUM chanting is one of the
most powerful chakra and should be done concentrating on the Ajna chakra.
Maa Kalaratri….Maa Shubhankari:7th
Navratri
This Seventh Form of Maa Durga is very close to Maa
Kali. Maa is dark skinned, violent and to those who don’t go beyond Her
physical aspect, Maa can seem very daunting. This aspect of Maa is ferocious,
and God help the so called enemy of Her's or Her devotee's and disciple's. She
is atop a Donkey, and She has a sword, a Trident and a noose. She is very clear
about Her intentions. No hide and seek here. Some scholars profess that this is
the dark side of Maa Durga, that life has its violent, cruel and dark side. Maa
Kalaratri has three eyes on Her forehead. The strange part is, though Maa is
depicted as dark skinned, black would be the right word; luminous rays of Light
emit from Her body.
The more terrifying Maa Kalaratri’s appearance, She
in reality is that much and more tender and merciful. Thus, She is called Maa
Shubhankari, meaning, ‘The One who does Good and Auspicious things for Her
children’. If one goes beyond the body, one sees Her tenderness, and She is
ready to give and help and heal and absolve the sins of Her children. Like
Mother Kali, Maa Shubhankari Kalaratri is The Most Tender of all Mothers. She
wants you to go beyond the gross, beyond the physical, beyond the darkness and
glitter, and focus on Her love and Her mercy.
Maa Kalaratri is prayed to destroy black magic,
demons, ghosts, voodoo, evil eye, nazar and all the dark alleys of the spirit
world. Her very blessing makes Her child fearless. Who the hell in Creation is
going to oppose or get into a battle with Maa Kali and Maa Kalaratri? Maa
Kalaratri wants Her children happy and moving towards liberation by going
beyond the gross body and material objects and externals. Maa wants us all to
go beyond fears and obstacles created by the world, the planets, the unknown,
the dark side of one’s own mind and in all of Creation.
Maa Kalaratri is associated with the Crown Chakra
or the Sahasrara Chakra, giving the invoker the Siddhis and Nidhis
(knowledge, wisdom and power) of the universe.
Baba Sai’s prayer for Kalaratri Devi:
Kalaratri….O Maa Kali
You cannot scare me as You are my Mother,
A child is never scared of the Mother
But the one who harms Your child is destroyed.
Be always tender with this child of Yours,
Protect me from black magic, the evil eye, the
manipulator and the one who You do not favour.
Surround me and my loved ones with Your
presence,
Bestow love, grace and wellbeing
And let the world know I belong to You.
Jai Maa Kali. Jai Kalratri. Nav Durga Namho
Namha.
1.
Kalaratri is worshipped on the Seventh Day of Navratri.
2. She
is dark and black like night.
3. Her
hairs are unlocked
4. SHE
has three eyes and four hands.
5. She
holds a sharp Sword in her right hand and blesses her devotees with her lower
hand.
6.
HER vahana is a donkey, destroyer of darkness and ignorance (or shava).
7.
She spills out fire from her nostrils.
8.
She has put on necklaces shining like lightening.
9.
In Yoga Shastra she represents the Sasahara Chakra
Spiritual message
on the 7th Navratri: By the
time chanting of Bija mantras LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM, HAM and AUM is over the inner
darkness goes over.
Mahagauri … Maha Gowri … Maha Gauri …
Kanya … Kumari … Chaturbhuji:8th Navratri
The Eighth Manifestation of Nav Durga, for many
people, is the most important Manifestation of Maa Durga. She is represented as
a young eight year old Girl.
Due to thousands of years of penance that was
undertaken by Maa Parvati to appease Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati’s complexion
became dark, virtually black in colour. When Lord Shiva was convinced of Maa
Parvati’s devotion and love, He bathed Maa with the water of The Ganga that
flowed through His matted Locks. Maa regained Her former complexion and
radiance, and thus, Her Name became Maha or Maa Gauri, The One who is extremely
fair or radiant.
Maha Gauri is always worshipped in the form of an
eight year old Girl. Whoever worships Her, is granted happiness, prosperity and
wellbeing. Yogis and Sages worship Her to be blessed with dedication, devotion,
courage, to continue to pursue their spiritual aspirations. Those who meditate
on Her, worship Her and seek to be blessed with Her patience and Her single
minded focus of merging with The Lord and Master, they are freed from the cycle
of life and death and attachments with the external world.
Maha Gauri is always dressed in white with
jewellery. She sits on a Bull and has four hands, thus the name, Chaturbhuji.
She grants Her devotees and disciples wealth and wellbeing, and also salvation
to Yogis. She is tender at heart, and thus easily forgives.
The prayer to Maha Gauri given by Baba Sai of Shirdi
is:
Maa Maha Gauri,
Bless me with Your devotion and child like love,
The way you appeased Thy Lord, bless me that I
may appease mine too,
Grant me, when in the body, health and
prosperity of body, mind and heart
And when in spirit back with You, liberation
from the cycles of birth and death,
Make me innocent as a child and as wise as a
Sage,
So be it as I pray.
1. Maha Gauri is worshipped on the Eight Day
of Navratri.
2. SHE looks as white as moon and jasmine. White
means purity of mind.
3. She has three Eyes and four hands. SHE is dressed
in a white sari.
4. SHE holds a drum and a trident and is often
depicted riding a bull (control over the desires)
5. Her above left hand is in fearless pose and she
holds ‘Trishul’ in her lower left hand.
6. Her above right hand has tambourine and lower
right hand is in blessing Mudra.
Spiritual
message on the 8th Navratri: By the 8th day
of spiritual; detoxification once gets purity of mind.
Maa Siddhidayini … Siddhidatri: 9th
Navratri
As the Name suggests, Maa in the ninth manifestation
is the Giver of all sidhhas and siddhis. This is the final
Manifestation of Maa Durga; but in reality, creation as we know of it, evolved
from Maa Siddhidayini which is Maa’s Ninth Form or Roop of Nav Durga.
When The Universal Mother, The Creator of all
Creators, created Lord Shiva, legend says, that Lord Shiva prayed to Maa
Supreme to bestow on Him all boons that would lead to perfection. Maa Durga or
Maa Shakti or Maa Parvati, which ever Name one would like to call The
Primordial Goddess, from Herself created Maa Siddhidayani.
Maa Siddhidayani blessed Lord Shiva with ashtasidhis,
eight Siddhis while some claim eighteen Sidhis (powers and/or
states of perfection). From here Lord Shiva, created Lord Vishnu, who created
Lord Brahma.
Then there came a halt. For creation of the world,
one needs male and female energy. So Maa Siddhidayini made Lord Shiva into Male
and Female Energy, half God - half Goddess, called as Ardhanaarishwara. It is
through this, that Creation followed.
Thus, all that which is perfect comes from Maa
Siddhidayini.
Maa Siddhidayini is prayed and worshipped by all
those who seek Siddhis and Niddhis (powers, perfection,
wisdom of all kinds). She is prayed by the Gods and the demons. She grants all
boons connected with the occult and the paranormal. Those who pray to Her are
granted boons for material and spiritual wellbeing, and the state of
perfection. She sits on a Lotus, holding a mace, a discus, a Lotus and a Book
(the Akashik Records or the history and destination of all and everything).
Baba Sai of Shirdi’s prayer to
Maa Siddhidayini:
Maa Siddhidayini make me perfect,
Make me realizse Your perfection in myself,
Bless me with the gifts You wish to bestow
As I am ignorant of my wants and needs,
Let the God and Goddess Energy within me be in
harmony
First Your Love and Blessings, then Siddhis and
Niddhis
First Your Protection and Grace, then occult and
all else
Be with me for now and for eternity.
1. Siddhidatri is worshipped on the Ninth
Day of Navratri.
2. She gives all the eight siddhis
– Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva and Vashitva.
3. She rides on a lion or on
a lotus
4. She has four hands and looks
pleased.
Spiritual message on the 9th
Navratri: By the 9th day of
spiritual detoxification one gets all spiritual powers.
Rituals
Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi during Navratri
Ghatasthapana Time
Ghatasthapana is one of the significant rituals during Navratri. It marks
the beginning of nine days festivity. Our scriptures have well defined rules
and guidelines to perform Ghatasthapana during a certain period of time at the
beginning of Navratri. Ghatasthapana is invocation of Goddess Shakti and
doing it wrong time, as our scriptures forewarn, might bring wrath of the
Goddess Shakti. Ghatasthapana is prohibited during Amavasya and night time.
The most auspicious or Shubh time to do Ghatasthapana is first one third of the
day while Pratipada is prevailing. If due to some reasons this time is not
available then Ghatasthapana can be done during Abhijit Muhurta. It is advised to avoid Nakshatra
Chitra and Vaidhriti Yoga during Ghatasthapana but those are not
prohibited. The most important factor to consider is that Ghatasthapana is done
before Hindu midday while Pratipada is prevailing.
Hence please note down the city based Ghatasthapana Time after setting the location
for your city.
Ghatasthapana Items
- Wide and
open Clay Pot to sow Sapta Dhanya
- Clean Soil to sow Sapta Dhanya
- Sapta Dhanya or seeds of seven different
grains
- Small clay
or brass Pitcher
- Sacred
water to fill the Kalash or Ganga Jal
- Sacred
thread / Moli / Kalaya
- Scent
(perfume)
- Supari(betel
nuts)
- Coins to
put into the Kalash
- 5 leaves of
Ashoka or Mango tree
- A Lid to
cover the Kalash
- Raw Rice or
unbroken rice known as Akshat to put in the lid
- Unpeeled
Coconut
- Red Cloth
to warp coconut
- Flowers and
Garland preferably marigold
- Durva grass
Kalash Preparation
Kalash Preparation for Ghatasthapana
Kalash is prepared before invoking the Goddess and
other Gods into it.
Step 1 - First take the wide clay pot (the one which would be used to
keep the Kalash) to sow the grains. Spread the first layer of the soil into the
pot and then spread the grain seeds. Now add the second layer of the soil and
grains. In second layer grains should be spread near the periphery of the pot.
Now spread the third and final layer of the soil into the pot. If needed add little
water to the pot to set the soil. .
The process to grow ‘khetri‘ or barley
seeds is collect, clean mud from
an auspicious or clean place. This mud is put in a earthen pot. Clean and
wash the barley to remove any insects or impurities and soak them in water for
15-30 minutes and then put these barley or ‘jau’ on the top of mud. Make a thin
layer of mud on top of barley, so as to cover it. don’t put too much mud
otherwise barley will not grow and put just enough water to soak the barley.
One
Step 2 - Now tie the red color sacred thread (mauli) of mata rani is
tied to khetri pot on the neck of the Kalash and
fill it up with the holy water up to the neck. Drop Supari, scent, Durva grass,
Akshat and coins into the water. Keep 5 leaves of Ashoka at the edge of the
Kalash before covering it with a lid.
Step 3 – Now take the un-peeled coconut and wrap it inside the red
cloth. Fasten the coconut and red cloth with the sacred thread.
Now keep the coconut on top of the Kalash prepared in step 2. At last put the
Kalash in the center on the grain pot prepared in step 1. Now we have Kalash
ready to invoke Goddess Durga into it.
Invoke Goddess Durga
Now invoke Goddess Durga and request Her
to accept your prayers and to oblige you by residing into the Kalash for nine
days.
Panchopachara Puja
As name suggests,
Panchopachara Puja is done with five Puja items. First show the lamp to the
Kalash and all deities invoked in it. After lamp offering, light Dhoop sticks
and offer it to the Kalash, followed by flowers and scent. Finally offer
Naivedhya i.e. fruits and sweets to the Kalash to conclude Panchopachara Puja.
Akhand deep -Continuous burning of a lamp
Akhand means continuous and deep is an oil lamp; Akhand deep is
a continuously burning lamp. An oil lamp symbolises absolute Fire principle.
During Navratri the atmosphere is charged with a glow that is laden with
absolute Fire principle. The frequencies emanating from this glow get attracted
towards the flame of the Akhand deep
resulting in their constant movement in the house. Hence it is important to
light an Akhand deep during Navratri.One of the
observances during Navratri is that a lamp is kept lit
continuously for nine days.
The following are the benefits of this ritual:
·
The distress of negative
energies reduces and hence the pressure in the atmosphere is reduced.
·
Due to the radiant
vibrations emanating from the lamp, the embodied soul (jīva) benefits
at the level of his spiritual emotion.
·
The Divine Energy (Shakti)
principle present in the universe gets attracted to the lamp light,
thereby benefiting everyone around it.
·
The spiritual purity (sāttviktā)
and Divine consciousness (Chaitanya) in the atmosphere increases.
The embodied soul gets
the experience of bliss and peace.
Navratri vrat vidhi or
procedure:
Certain items are required to perform the Navratri
pooja - A picture of Goddess Durga, Durga Sapthashati book, water in Kalash,
fresh and washed mango leaves, one coconut, roli, moli (red sacred
thread), rice, paan (betel leaves), supari (beetle nuts),
cloves, cardamom and kumkum (vermilion).
The flowers used for Navratri puja may include
rose, lotus and red hibiscus. Stalks of Bilwa (bael) leaves are also
used for the puja. You may offer fresh pomegranate and sweets for prasad. You
will require a Panchpatra containing spoon, water and bael leaves.
In order to perform the puja, take bath in the
morning and wear fresh clothes. Sprinkle 'Gangajal' all over the Puja
room. Now, offer sandalwood powder and some fresh grass to the Goddess. Then,
offer the sari or dupatta to the Goddess. Fill the kalash
with water and place mango leaves on top. Place a coconut on top of the kalash.
Now, tie moli on the kalash. Place the idol or picture of
Durga in your puja room and then worship the deity with roli, rice, flowers,
balepatra, kumkum and gulal.
1. To start with if possible, clean the house as you
are inviting the goddess mother in your house.
2. Normally no onion and garlic are used in any recipe, no matter other people are
keeping fast or not. so try to use all the onions and garlic before the fast is
starting.
3. Many devotees keep fast on all nine days. some
people keep fast on 1st and last day. my mil has kept fast on all nine days
through out her life. but now because of old age and falling health, she keep
fast on one day. if somehow, its not possible for you to keep fast on all nine
days then you can try that on each day one person of your family is keeping
fast in the house.
4. Many people grow ‘khetri‘ or barley
seeds during this period. for this they collect, clean mud from
an auspicious or clean place. this mud is put in a earthen pot. clean and
wash the barley to remove any insects or impurities and soak them in water for
15-30 minutes and then put these barley or ‘jau’ on the top of mud. make a thin
layer of mud on top of barley, so as to cover it. don’t put too much mud
otherwise barley will not grow and put just enough water to soak the barley.
one red color string (mauli) of mata rani is tied to khetri pot.
5. The progress of ‘khetri’ or barley is observed
very keenly by the devotee and it is believed that the longer they grow in
height… the better it is for your family’s fortune and well being. it is also
related to the blessings or happiness of the goddess on you. on the last day of
navratri, the khetri is immersed in moving water body like river or even a
pond. if there is no water body nearby to your house then you can put the
khetri under pipal tree in a temple.
6. One diya or lamp is burned through out the nine
days and care must be taken that there is enough ghee or oil in the diya all
the time. it is akhand jyoti (burning all the time for nine days).
this akhand jyoti will destroy all the negativity in your house.
7. Along with this one red color chunri or cloth and
one mature coconut is kept in the house temple. the thin edge of coconut should
be towards the temple.
8. One kalash (earthen or copper pot) is filled with
water, 5 betel nuts or suparis, sugar, rice and a five rupees coin and is kept
with all these pooja items. in the kalash, red color string of mata rani is
tied and this kalash water is sprinkled in your house after the kanjak pooja on
8th or 9th day. You can also drink this water. this water is considered as
charanamrit and is holy.
9. After taking bath in the morning , aarti is done
for devi maa and bhog is given to maa in the form of dry fruits (5 types),
milk, bananas, mishri or other fruits. you can also offer fresh flowers. after
doing the aarti or pooja only, my mil takes the food. the same aarti is done in
evening time (sandhya kaal) too. burning incense, dhoop etc is part of morning
and evening pooja.
10. Try to keep your body and mind clean. keep your
thoughts focused on maa or goddess while doing your household work. you can do
some special pooja or havan in your house or chant ‘jai mata di’ or chant durga
Saptashati or sri lalita sahasranama. you can also visit devi temples during
these days or can play devotional songs or mata ke bhajan in the house to help
your mind to stay connected with maa.
11. Reading Devi Mahatmyam . Devi Mahatmyam(Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path) is a powerful text dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The reading
procedure of Devi Saptashati is given here in detail version. Many devotees are confused on how to
recite this powerful text – on which day, which adhyaya (chapter) needs to be
chanted..
There are two methods to start reading Devi Mahatmyam– Trayangam and Navangam.
Trayangam is a method in which we need to chant
three prayers – Devi Kavacham, Argala Stotram and Devi Keelakam followed by
Navakshari Mantram.
Namani, Argala Stotram, Keelaka Stotram, Devi Hrudaya,
Dhala, Devi Dhyana and Devi Kavacha.
As per the prescribed methods in ancient scriptures,
Devi Mahatmyamshould be read in one sitting. After finishing the recital of
Devi Mahatmya, one should chant the Devi Suktam (slokas 7 to 36 of Chapter 8).
Devi Saptashati Parayana in 3 days & 7
days
Apart from one sitting recital, devotees read Devi
mahatmya for three consecutive days: Prathama Charitra or 1st
Chapter on first day, Madhyama Charitra (2, 3, 4 chapters)
on 2nd day, and Uttama Charitra (5-13 chapters) on third day.
Some devotees also read Devi Mahatmya in 7 days.
They chant 1st Chapter on first day, 2-3 chapters on 2nd
day, 4th chapter on 3rd day, 5-8 chapters on 4th
day, 9-10 chapters on 5th day, 11th chapter on 6th
day and 12-13 chapters on 7th day.
Each chapter should be read in single sitting. Due
to any reason, Parayana is stopped in between a chapter; the whole chapter
should be read again.
The order of reciting Durga Saptashati Parayana
daily is: Trayanga Mantra, Devi Mahatmya text followed by
Devi Suktam.
Many devotees read Durga Saptashati during Navratri
Durga Puja 9/10 days.. Here is the procedure to read Devi Mahatmyam during
Navratri
How to read Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) during Navratri festival
1st day: Chapter 1
(Madhu kaitabha samhaaram)
2nd day: Chapter 2, 3 and 4 (Mahishhasura
samhaara)
3rd day: Chapter 5 and 6 (Dhuumralochana
vadha)
4th day: Chapter 7 (Chanda Munda vadha)
5th day: Chapter 8 (Rakta biija samhaara)
6th day: Chapter 9 and 10 (Shumbha
Nishumbha vadha)
7th day: Chapter 11 (Praise of Narayani)
8th day: Chapter 12 (Phalastuti –
reciting merits or benefits)
9th day: Chapter 13
(Blessings to Suratha and the Merchant)
10th day: Chapter 14 (Aparadha
Kshamaprarthana) on 10th day
You can also complete the recital on 9th day by
chanting Devi Aparadha Kshama Prarthana Stotram on 9th day itself.
You should read Siddha Kunjika Stotram after
completing the recital of every chapter
Offering Naivedya (consecrated
food) to the Goddess all the nine days
During Navratri prepare sattvik dishes for
the Goddess, as is customary. Apart from the regular food items include
puran (a sweet made of gram and jaggery) and varan (an item made of toor-dal)
in the meal. The Naivedya which includes puran and varan,
radiates activated raja component and the energy laden absolute Fire element
frequencies from the Universe get attracted to it in less time. When one
consumes the Naivedya as prasad, he benefits from the energy frequencies
which are absolute Fire element oriented and thereby purification of his gross
and subtle bodies takes place. - (Pujya) Mrs. Anjali Gadgil
Navratri
recipes, navratri fasting food, rules & procedure.
Out of 5 major navratri, only two navratri are celebrated. first ‘chaitra navratri‘
celebration is when summer is starting (march-april) and second ‘sharad
navratri’ when winter is starting (oct-nov).
In north and western india, many people keep fast
during navratri. as its a very good time to make progress in your spiritual
practice or to invoke the energy of mother goddess or to purify your body-mind.
navratri fasting rules varies little from community to community. the same fasting
rules applies for fasts during the ekadashi, janmashtami and mahashivratri
fasts. i hope this post will be helpful to you all.
you can also check this post which shares 71 navratri
recipes which covers north indian navratri fasting recipes
as well as south indian navratri festival recipes.
Flours & grains allowed for navratri fasting
1. singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour) – you can
make singhare ki poori, paratha, pakoras,
halwa .
2. kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) – you can make paratha, pakoras, poori, halwa.
3. rajgira ka atta (amaranth flour) and rajgira (amaranth) – you can make pooris, vrat ka halwa, paratha, and thalipeeth.
roasted rajgira can be had mixed with fruits, porridge and even ladoos.
4. sama ke chawal ka atta (barnyard millet flour) – can be used to make vrat ke uttapam, idli, dosa, pooris.
5. vrat ke chawal (barnyard millet) – you can make pulao, kheer, dalia, idli, dosa, upma or
just plain steamed 6. arrowroot flour or paniphal flour – used as a thickener and binding agent
Spices & herbs allowed for navratri fasting
1. cumin or cumin powder ( jeera or jeera powder )-
you can add them to your curry or veggie dishes or make jeera aloo.
2. black pepper powder and rock salt (sendha namak)
4. green cardamom (chhoti illaichi), cloves (laung), black peppercorns (saboot
kali mirch), cinnamon (dalchini) and nutmeg (jaiphal)
5. dry pomegranate seeds (anardana) – you can make chutney or raita or use it
as a souring agent.
6. ginger – both fresh as well as dry, including dry ginger powder
7. green chilli or hari mirch and lemons.
9. *coriander (dhania) and mint leaves (pudina) and curry leaves (kadi patta) –
some folks include and some don’t
10. *dry mango powder (amchur powder), chaat masala, red chili
powder - some folks include and some don’t
11. *black salt (kala namak) – some folks include and some don’t
Vegetables allowed for navratri fast or upvas
- potatoes
– make vrat ke aloo, dahi aloo, jeera aloo. halwa or
add them to raita.
2. petha or pumpkin – you can make kaddu ki sabzi, halwa, khatta meetha kaddu sabzi
or pakoras.
3. shakarkandi or sweet potato – you can make shakarkandi halwa, tikki or chaat.
4. arbi or kachalu or colocasia – you can make many dishes from arbi
like sukhi arbi, dahi arbi, arbi tikki, arbi cutlet.
5. suran or jimkand or yam (regular yam as well as purple yam) – you can
make suran chips. suran ki sabzi.
6. raw banana – you can make sabzi, banana fries and banana chips.
7. raw or semi ripe papaya – you can make papaya halwa and salad from raw
papaya.
8. *tomatoes – tomatoes are added to curries or sabzis. tomato sauce and
chutney is also made.
Other food or ingredients allowed for navratri
vrat:
1. sabudana or tapioca pearls – sabudana is favorite
during fasting. you can make sabudana khichdi, vada, thalipeeth, pakoras, ladoos and kheer.
2. makhana or phool makhana – you can make makhana kheer, roasted makhana, rotis or a simple makhana
sabzi.
3. all dry fruits – you can make dry fruits milkshake or add them to halwas
or other dishes.
4. all fruits – make fruit chaat, fruit salads, fruit raita or fruit juices like musk melon juice
or have them raw.
5. all milk products like paneer, curd, white butter, cream, ghee, khoya,
malai, condensed milk. but some people make paneer at home (use lemon juice or
curd for curdling the milk) and don’t use the paneer brought from market.
6. sugar, honey, gur or jaggery
7. tamarind (imli), kokum, lemon juice, yogurt – these can be used as souring
agents.
8. coconut and coconut milk – you can use coconut in your dishes, make coconut ladoo or use coconut milk in milkshakes.
9. melon seeds (magaz), peanuts, groundnut oil
Foods to be avoided for navratri fast or vrat:
1. onion and garlic are strictly avoided. if you
find any recipe in a food blog which has onion and garlic then skip adding them.
so most vrat recipes make use of curd and ginger.
2. no lentils and legumes.
3. common salt is not used and instead rock salt or sendha namak also called as
upvaas ka namak is used.
4. turmeric (haldi), asafoetida (hing), mustard (sarson or rai), fenugreek
seeds (methi dana), garam masala and dhania powder (coriander powder) are not
allowed.
5. alcohol and non-vegetarian food is strictly NO during this holy period.
Flours and grains not allowed for navratri
fasting:
1. rice and rice flour
2. wheat flour or atta
3. maida (all purpose flour)
4. sooji (rava or semolina)
5. besan (chickpea flour or gram flour)
Fasting food - there is no fix rule and it varies from community to
community. Some people eat only one flour based diet in a day and rest of the
day they take milk, tea, fruits etc. Those who can not go for such strict diet
take 2 flour based meals. in my place, we also buy ‘seel ki patti or laddu’ –
made from popped amaranth seeds, from the grocery stores and have it during the
fasting. Normally, there is always relaxation for old or sick people, even for
nursing mothers or for those who can not follow rigorous fasting rules.
note: if
you want to make roti, poori or paratha for fasting then use above
mention singhare ka atta, kuttu ka atta and rajgira ka atta. for
making rice based dishes, kindly use sama ke chawal.
Important aspects of
some of the common rituals associated with Goddess Worship (Dēvī-pujan)*
There is a specific way to worship every Deity and
every action in the ritual has its own spiritual significance. The table below
gives important information about some common actions of the ritualistic
worship of all the forms of the Goddess.
|
Action
of ritualistic worship
|
Important
details about the actions
|
1. |
Applying wet vermillion (kumkum) on
oneself before starting the actual worship |
Using one's middle finger apply wet vermillion in
a straight vertical line over the mid-brow region (Ādnyā-chakra) |
2. |
Applying wet vermillion to the Goddess |
One should use the ring (anamika)
finger of the right hand |
3. |
Offering Flowers |
|
|
Which Flowers?
|
Jasmine (Chameli),
Shevanti,
Gladiolus (Nishigandh),
Lotus (Kamal)
and Jui
|
|
How many?
|
One or multiples of nine
|
|
How to offer?
|
The base of the flower should face the
idol or picture of the Goddess
|
|
How should the flowers be arranged?
|
Flowers should be arranged forming a
circle ensuring that nothing is placed within this circle
|
4. |
Using incense sticks |
|
|
For the worship of saviour form.
|
Sandalwood, Rose, Jasmine, Kewda, Champa, Jaee,
Vaala, Night blooming Jasmine (Raat-Rani), Amber
|
|
For the worship of destroyer form
|
Hina, Darbar
|
|
How many?
|
Two
|
|
How to wave the incense sticks around
the Goddess?
|
The incense sticks should be held
between the thumb and the index finger of the right hand and rotated
in a clockwise direction three times
|
5. |
Which perfume oil should be offered to the
Goddess? |
Jasmine (Chameli) |
6. |
How many times should one circumambulate around
the idol of the Goddess ? |
Once or in multiples of nine |
4.
Spiritual science behind offering specific flowers to specific deities*
One of the important aims of worshipping Deities is
that the Divine consciousness in the Deity's idol (murti) helps in enhancing our
spiritual progress. To attract specific subtlest Divine particles of each
Deity, some flowers are better suited than others. If such flowers are
offered to the Deity, it helps in activating the idol and we too benefit from
the Divine consciousness in the idol. Hence it is important to offer specific
flowers to specific Deities.
In the table below we have given some names
of Deities and the flowers to be offered to them.
Goddess
|
Flowers
to be offered
|
1.Shri Durga Devi |
Jasmine |
2.Shri Lakshmi Devi |
Rose |
3.Shri Saptashrungi |
Magnolia |
4.Shri Sharda |
Nightqueen |
5.Shri Yogeshwari |
Michelia |
6.Shri Renuka |
Bakuli |
7.Shri Vaishnodevi |
Tube-rose |
8.Shri Vindhyavasini |
Lotus |
9.Shri Bhavani |
Ground-Lotus |
10.Shri Amba |
Coral |
In reality it is the fragrance from that
specific flower which attracts the Deity's principle towards the
idol. So the same benefit can be obtained by using incense sticks of the
corresponding fragrances.
Rangolī's that attract the Energy (Shakti) principle*
Rangolī is
one of the most popular art forms in India especially drawn during various
rituals and festivals. It is a form of sand-painting that uses finely ground
coloured powders.
From a spiritual point of view, each Deity
represents a specific Divine principle. Therefore there are specific shapes
that have the capacity to attract the Energy principle, just like specific
flowers are used to attract specific the Goddess Energy principle. Below are
some shapes and also the Divine Energy principle
vibrations that they attract.
|
Goddess
principle
|
Shape associated
with the principle
|
Proportion
of colour (%)
|
1. |
Shri Durga Devi |
|
Red |
2. |
Shri Mahalakshmi |
|
Red + Saffron (60+40) |
3. |
Shri Lakshmi |
|
Red +
Yellow (40+60) |
4. |
Shri Saraswati |
|
White |
5. |
Shri Mahasaraswati |
|
White + Red (60+40) |
6. |
Shri Kali |
|
Violet |
7. |
Shri MahaKali |
|
Violet + Red
(80+20) |
The Divine Energy principle gets attracted
towards the rangoli based on the colours used
When the rangoli is drawn and the
colours associated with respective Divine principles are used, then about 7 %
Divine Energy principle can reside within the rangoli, which is
the maximum that can be attracted.
The rangoli diagram given
below attracts the Divine Energy principle.
Colour and its represented
diety
- Sky Blue represents Goddess Bhuvaneshvari
- Grey represents Maha Kali or Bhairavi
- Pink represents Goddess Chinnamasta
- Green represents Goddess Jagadamba
- Deep Blue represents Goddess Narayani
- Parrot Green represents Goddess Amba
- Orange represents Goddess Tara or Chamunda
- Royal Blue represents Goddess Renuka Devi also known as
Matungi
- Red represents Goddess Durga
The devotees fast on those
nine days and worship the Goddess with devotion to receive her blessings. One
who receives the blessings of the Mother would overcome all obstacles in his
life and succeed in any task in life. The devotees wear different coloured
dresses themselves and also decorate the Goddess in different colours throughout
the festival. The colour red is of main importance since it represents Goddess
Durga herself . Also the colours have a lot of significance due to their
attributions to different energy chakras in the yogic form of meditation. The
most important of them all is the primal force of Muladhara Chakra and it is
represented in Red Colour.
This colour hence becomes
the most preferred of all to decorate the Goddess and is most used in all parts
of India. Also apart from dresses, the devotees also play with colour also
known as gulal on these days. In major parts of India gulal is used on many
festivals apart from Holi.
Worship of a virgin girl (kumārikā pujan)/ kanjak pooja
Many families also do kanya puja on 8th or 9th day.
in this kanya puja, nine girls who have not reached the puberty stage are
worshiped. for the devotee these nine girls represents nine forms of goddess
durga.
During this festival, a
virgin girl is worshipped for nine consecutive days and is offered meals. A
virgin girl is a symbol of unmanifest energy and by worshipping her, the
unmanifest energy in her gets activated. Due to this the radiant frequencies in
the universe get attracted and the devotee benefits by it. A kumarika
symbolises Shakti in unmanifest form. Worshipping a kumarika
activates the Shakti present in her and helps attract the absolute Fire
principle frequencies from the Universe. Later, this principle is transmitted
very easily to the atmosphere through the medium of the kumarika in the
form of frequencies carrying chaitanya (Divine consciousness) and
benefit the people. To accumulate the frequencies of the Goddess principle
active during Navartri, the kumarika is worshipped with utmost bhav
and efforts are made to appease her as she is considered as the manifest form
of the Goddess' principle. The degree of manifestation of impressions on
subconscious mind of the kumarika is less too and this helps in deriving
maximum benefit of the 'with attribute' form of the Goddess; hence the
importance of kumarika pujan during Navratri.
Ritual of Kumarika pujan performed
During each of the nine
days of Navratri, respectfully invite a kumarika (a young virgin) to
your house. If this is not possible, the custom is to invite nine kumarikas
on any one of the days in Navratri.
Offer them a mat made of
wool to sit on.
Perform their padyapuja (Ritualistic worshipping of
their feet) with a bhav (spiritual emotion) that the Goddess principle
in them is activated.
Offer them a meal of their
liking on a banana leaf. It is believed that the Goddess likes kheer (a
sweet made of milk and rice) , puris
(type of fried Indian bread) , dry black
chana and halwa
The coconut which is kept in the house temple is
also broken during this occasion and is part of prasad. some families also
worship one small boy in the form of bhairav but some families only worship the
nine girls.
There is a custom of
offering all kumarikas new
clothes along with the prasadam, gifts and money is given to the girls. With
the tilak on head and so much attention, love, and devotion, consider them to be representative of Shakti and pay obeisance with utmost bhav. - Ms. Kavita Patil
The day kanjak pooja is done, on that day in our
house we do the immersion of khetri along with red cloth (chunri) in moving
water or it can be kept under pippal tree in a temple.
On the day, kanjak pooja is done, the navratri fast
is broken in the house. Some people do kanjak pooja on 8th day (ashtami) and
some do it on 9th day (navami).
Disclaimer:I would humbly like to thank all
the websites mentioned below. These websites have given the valuable content
which has has been put up to you and the only job done here by me is compiling
it together to make it easier for the reader.Kindly note that the rituals
followed may vary from family to family.Incase the sentiments of the readers
are hurt , kindly forgive me . Any kind of prayer, devotion done with a clean
heart is always accepted by the universal mother, MAA .
Navratri Puja Visarjan Vidhi
1. On 10th day of Navratri, go to your place of worship. Take some flower and raw rice in your hand, and pray all Gods present in Ghat as follows :
“O Dear Gods! Thank you for coming. We surrender our devotional practice to you, which we done for you for nine days of Navratri. I request you to go back to your homes and come again when we pray.”
Offer flower and rice to them. Pick the Ghat and keep aside.
2. Similarly pray to Mother Goddess :
“O Mother Goddess! Thank you for coming. We surrender our devotional practice to you, which we done for you for nine days of Navratri. I request you to go back to your home and come again when we pray.”
Pick photo/idol of Goddess and put it at it’s permanent place.
3. Now collect the offerings on Chowki. Take them as Prasad. Remove cloth from the chowki. Turn aside the chowki and leave. Take the coconut on Ghat as Prasad, just eat it. Give raw rice on lid to birds to eat.
Sprinkle the sacred water of Ghat in your entire house and pray it will remove all negative energies and bring prosperity. You can also drink it and can take a bath of this sacred water.
Take out coins and keep safe along with your money, they will bring prosperity.
4. Observe the growth of barley. If they are fresh and sparkling green and in abundance, then it is sure sign of your prosperity.
Search for white Barley sprout. If you find one, it is very rare and very much fortunate. Dig it carefully with root. Surrender it to Goddess Durga with some green sprouts and keep it at place of puja forever. If you don’t have any white sprout, then pluck some green sprouts and surrender to Goddess Durga.
Search Peepal Tree near your house and put rest of whole sprouts with pot there. Don’t put Ghat there. Keep Ghat at your house. You can use it for any purpose.
http://experiencehinduism.com/festivals/navratri-second-day-second-form-of-durga-brahmacharini
http://www.ekunji.com/learn/navratri-puja-vidhi
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JAI MAA