Chaitra Navratri is a nine days long celebration of Goddess Durga and her nine forms in Hindu Culture.
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Welcome to the world of engrossing readings at www.onindianpath.com. Today, we are going to shed light on the longest Hindu festival, which adorns Goddess Durga in her nine major forms.
Introduction
Maa Durga is a divine form of feminine energy of this cosmic world. We celebrate the essence and eternal being of this divine feminine power for nine days long festival called Navratri.
Moreover, Navratri is a Hindi word made up of two words- Nava (nine) and Ratri (nights). All of these nights are pure blissful and eventful nights in whole country and around the world.
Date and tithi of Chaitra Navratri 2024
As per Hindu Panchang, Chaitra Navratri falls on pratipada of shukla paksha of Chaitra mas. As per Gregorian calendar, it will start from April 9, 2024. And, the tithi will start at 11:50 pm on April 8 and will end at 8:30 pm on April 9, 2024.
Likewise, this nine day long celebration of Hindu Goddess Shakti will end on April 17, 2024.
Significance of Chaitra Navratri
Certainly, Navratri is an integral part of Hindu festivities. There are two Navratri in a year. Like wise, these Navratris are known as
Chaitra Navratri.
Chaitra Navratri holds profound significance in our life. As it suggests the renewal of energies, change of weather and welcoming of new harvest.
Reasons to celebrate
a) Firstly, Chaitra Navratri marks the birth of Lord Rama, seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya.
b) Secondly, for Hindus, its their New year celebrations. Thus, the new panchang starts from the pratipada or first day of Chaitra Navratri. Conversely, for Maharashtra, it is Gudi Padwa and Navgreh for Kashmir.
c) Similarly, devotees worship three main manifestations of Goddess Shakti namely Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi during Navratri and seek their divine blessings in this auspicious time in many parts of the country.
Spiritual Significance of Navratri
Additionally, Navratri is all about praying, meditating, fasting and enjoying for the nine days long festival. However, it gives us a chance to level up our conscious from worldly needs and attachments to the supreme creator and his complementing energies in form of Goddess Durga.
Subsequently, Meditation is a divine tool to enlighten and channelize our inner self and energies toward the divine form of Maa Durga. People do chant and worship different forms in different ways by Ghatasthapana (discussed in previous blog), fasting, meditating, performing Havans, puja and abhishekam at different geographical locations of India.
Qualities of Maa Durga to get inspired
All the nine forms of Durga viz- Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri are the honoured during Chaitra Navratri. For more details, you can read our previous blog on nine forms of Goddess Durga.
Although, Maa Durga is the goddess with huge strength, power, love, compassion, wisdom, success and positivity. Her adoration brings an abundance of positive vibes with eternal blessings to the devotees.
Let’s learn life lessons from Goddess Durga to make this journey called life, easy and comfortable for ourself and others.
1. Positive smile of Goddess Durga
The charming smile of Goddess Durga fascinates us and this smile symbolizes that no matter how hard or difficult the situation is, one should always keep himself calm and composed. Also it depicts the life vision of Maa Durga to be compassionate. Her maternal and compassionate nature offers love and protection to all who seek her blessings.
2. Open minded approach of Maa Durga
All these nine forms of Durga teaches us the lesson that we should be ready to adopt a new style, manner or stance as per the circumstances. Also, we should embody open minded approach and courage, fearlessly confronting our challenges and protecting ourselves and our families.
3. Embracing Independence from Maa Durga
Apparently, Goddess Durga is an independent goddess, self-sufficient and self-reliant to kill her enemies. Thus, Maa Durga encourages devotees to harness their inner strength and embrace their independence. She was amalgamation of energies of trinity of gods aka Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.
While, she teaches us that we should keep learning something new in life by keeping an open mind. By having such attitude we can overcome any difficulty in life.
4. Unleashing inner strength by Maa Durga
Furthermore, Devi Durga’s entire existence revolves around realizing power and overcoming fear. Hence, Goddess possesses irrefutable inner strength, she is a warrior who rides a lion. As she symbolizes protection and aid for her devotees, relying on her unwavering confidence in her powers. Similarly, like our mother, we have to believe in ourself and eliminate the idea of giving up, as success often comes in the long run.
5. Learning multi tasking from Maa Durga
Indeed, goddess Durga is called Ashtradhati means a goddess having 8 arms. Thus, it symbolises that Goddess Durga can complete more than one task at a time. If we want to live a good life, we should know how to multi-task at the same time. As a result, it will not only save a few hours or minutes but will also keep our brain active. If we learn this art, we will have no shortage of time and resources.
Why do we fast on Chaitra Navratri?
Genrally, devotees avoid consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol and tobacco. Instead, they fast and consume falhari (fruits and non cereal items) food that cooked without onion and garlic.
Infact, this fasting has a deeper meaning– Chaitra Navratri is celebrated around season change, when winters are over and summers begin. During this time, our immunity and the digestive system tends to be weak, and so it is advised to have light meals during that time.
Rituals to be performed
The celebration of Chaitra Navratri is the amalgam of numerous events, activities and sacred rituals. Traditionally , devotees used to decorate the house temple and do routine worship of Maa Durga by offering samagris to hawan, offering bhog, aarti and recitation of Devi Saptashati path daily.
1. During Navratris many families also organise a program of jagran, where people dance and sing bhajans (sacred songs) and enjoy the divine night with music.
2. However, Navmi pooja (last day of navratri) is of immense importance which involves offering of prayers to Maa Durga and kanjhak poojan. Similarly, kanjhak pujan means worshipping of young girls (below age 10 years) considered as child form of Maa Durga on this day. Thus, these young girls are invited by families for feasting and blessing the family. Consequently, people offer them bhog prasadam (poori, chana and halwa) made at home. Also, they offer numerous gift items and money to the girls and receive their blessings.
Conclusion
Lets welcome Chaitra Navratri 2024 with open arms to cherish arrival of summer, symbolizing new beginnings, growth and renewal. So, It is the best time to let go of the old and embrace the new, both spiritually and physically. To rejuvenate the energies of nature and the blessings of the divinity in form of Hindu goddess Durga, we should greet this sacred festival of teachings and blessings eagerly.
May the divine presence of Maa Durga continue to illuminate our lives, guiding us on the path of righteousness, peace and spiritual fulfillment. Keep growing with us.
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