Chaitra Navratri , the beginning of the Hindu New Year, the holy festival of worship of Goddess Durga, begins on 8 May 2024. This nine-day festival offers an opportunity to worship nine forms of Goddess Durga and receive her blessings.
Significance of Chaitra Navratri this year:
- Special position of planets: This year, the position of planets during Chaitra Navratri is extremely auspicious. This position of planets will help the devotees in achieving wish fulfillment, success and prosperity.
- Special Yoga: Along with Kalash Sthapana on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Mahashtami will be celebrated on Ashtami Tithi and Ram Navami will be celebrated on Navami Tithi. This rare coincidence makes this Navratri even more special.
Preparations for Chaitra Navratri:
- Cleaning the house: The house should be cleaned thoroughly before Navratri. Mother Goddess loves clean places.
- Kalash Sthapana: Kalash Sthapana is done on the first day in the auspicious time. For this, collect the necessary materials like earthen urn, Gangajal, Ashtadhan, Kalawa, betelnut, coconut, red chunari, mauli etc.
- Install the idol or picture of Maa Durga: Install the idol or picture of Maa Durga in your house and worship her with devotion.
- Fasting: During Navratri, it is customary to keep fasts for nine days. According to your capacity, you can keep a complete fast, fasting or fasting only on satvik food.
Method of worship:
- Worship Goddess Durga every morning after taking bath.
- Offer lamp, offering, flowers and fruits to the mother.
- Chant the mantras of Maa Durga.
- Listen to the story of Maa Durga during Navratri.
- Do charity as much as possible.
Significance of the nine days of Navratri:
- First day: Worship of Mother Shailputri
- Second day: Worship of Mother Brahmacharini
- Third day: Worship of Mother Chandraghanta
- Fourth day: Worship of Mother Kushmanda
- Fifth day: Worship of Mother Skandamata
- Sixth day: Worship of Mother Katyayani
- Seventh day: Worship of Maa Kalaratri
- Eighth Day: Worship of Mother Mahagauri
- Ninth Day: Worship of Mother Siddhidatri
Conclusion of Chaitra Navratri:
- Navratri concludes with Ram Navami.
- On this day the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed.
- Kanya pujan is organised.
- Devotees distribute Prasad.
Let us worship Maa Durga with devotion this Chaitra Navratri and attain happiness, prosperity and success in life with her blessings.
Hail Mother Durga!