Gupt Navratri 2024 : Everything you need to know

Goddess Shakti is worshipped as Maa Durga in gupt Navratri in Hinduism.

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Introduction

Navratri is the time to celebrate divine feminine energy of the universe – Goddess Durga with utmost devotion and faith. Do you know why do we celebrate Navratri?

Let me answer. Navratri are the time of the year to welcome the change of season, with devotion, renewal and joy.

Apart from prakat Navratri (Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri), Hindus rever Maa Durga during two more Navratris known as Gupt Navratri. These Gupt Navratri are known as Gayatri Ashada Navratri (falls in ashadha mas) and Magha Navratri (falls in magha mas).

Why is it called Gupt Navratri?

Uday Navratri or Prakat Navratri are widely celebrated from north to south, from east to west with great enthusiasm and zeal. They represents communal celebrations with a message of devotion and triumph of good over evil.

Likewise, Gupt Navratri are lesser known Navratri with estoric and mystical practices of worshipping Maa Durga. They are believe to be performed in secrets by Tantric, Aghoris and others.

Significance of Gupt Navratri

According to Devi Bhagwat Purana, we have Uday Navratri twice a year and gupt navratri also twice a year in Magh (January-February) and Ashada (July- August) mas of Hindu Panchang. Navratri comes four times a year.

Apparently, nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped during Chaitra, Shardiya Navratri and gupt Navratri.

Gupt Navratri holds profound significance for people associated with Tantric rituals, Shakti Sadhanas etc. During this period, devotees of Goddess Bhagwati observe fasts and do Sadhana with very strict rules.

Devotees pay homage to Goddess Shakti in different Roop like

• Goddess Tara,
• Goddess Kali,
• Goddess Lalita,
• Goddess Bhuwneshwari,
• Goddess Tripur Bhairvi,
• Goddess Chinnmastika,
• Goddess Dhumawati,
• Goddess Baglamukhi,
• Goddess Matangi and
• Goddess Kamla.

However, the customs and rituals may differ from Prakat Navratri but the token of love and devotion is true and loyal to Maa Shakti. Here, virtues of ten mahvdhyas of Mata Durga is revered deeply. Certainly, these Mahavidyas are worshipped as part of Tantric Sadhana, which helps in understanding the deep mysteries of the universe.

Date and tithi

Moreover, this Gupt Navratri festival celebrated in the month of Ashadh of Hindu Panchang brings the blessings of maa Shakti. This year Ashadh Gupt Navratri is starting from 6th July 2024 and will end up on July 15, 2024. Likewise, this year we are going to have ten days for worshipping Maa Durga on Gupt Navratri. July 9 and July 10 will be Chaturthi for consecutive two days.

As it is the time for Siddhi attainment for Tantriks amd Aghori, but for general public, it is time to rever Maa Durga.

Apparently, the shubh muhurat for Ghatsthapana will start at 5:11 AM and will end at 7:26 AM on July 6, 2024. Also, Abhijeet Muhurat will be there from 11 AM to 12 PM on same day for Ghatsthapana.

Rituals of Gupt Navratri

1. Firstly, during all the Navratri, wake up in Brahma Muhurta and take a bath.
2. Seconldy, wear clean clothes. Clean the puja room. Install the idol of the Goddess on a clean red colour cloth and light a diya in front of Maa Durga.
3. Then after, do Kalash or Ghatsthapana on above said muhurat. Now, do Abhishekam of maa Durga. Offer a red chunari and Solah Shringar (16 items of makeup). Apply a tilak of vermilion.
4. Always light a diya of cow ghee as akhand jot.
5. Read Durga Saptashati daily for 10 days.
6. Offer a garland of hibiscus flowers. Lastly, cook puris and offer bhog of puri, batasha, chana, halwa, fruit, sweets etc to mata Durga.
7. Conclude the puja with aarti.
8. Try to read following mantra everyday or if possible everytime for fruitful results.

सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।शरण्ये त्र्यंबके गौरी नारायणि नमोस्तुते॥

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्ति-रूपेण संस्थिता।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Conclusion

Henceforth, we now understand why Gupt Navratri is celebrated on a smaller scale without much hype. Infact, Gupt Navratri festival celebrated in the month of Ashadha brings blessings of good fortune and fulfillment of wishes. It reminds us that true devotion doesn’t always require grandeur; instead, it flourishes in the quiet moments of reflection and sincere prayer. This festival encourages us to connect deeply with our inner selves, fostering spiritual growth and inner peace.This sacred period reminds us that the essence of devotion lies in the purity of our hearts and the sincerity of our prayers.

Hail Maa Shakti.

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