॥ श्री हरि ॥
श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती
याः श्री स्वय्म् सुकृतिनां भवनेश्व लक्ष्मीः ।
पापत्मनां कृताधियां ह्रुदयेषु बुद्धिः ।
श्रद्धा सतां कुलजनप्रभवस्य लज्जा तां
त्वां नताःस्म परिपालय देवि विश्वम् ||
What is Navratri ?
” Navratri ” or “Navaratri ” literally means “nine nights.” Navratri is celebrated twice a year, once at the beginning of the New Samvatsar (Hindu New year) in Summers and again at the onset of winter. Navratri or Navratra are therefore known as Chaitra Navratra and Shaardeya Navratra on the basis of their occurrence.
These nights are devoted to the reverence of Goddess Durga (Maa Durga) who exists in many forms and is the manifestation of the absolute energy that pervades the Universe. During these days and nights prayers are offered to Mother Goddess.
Hinduism is the only religion in the world which has emphasized to such an extent the motherhood of God. To celebrate a good harvest and to propitiate the nine planets, women also plant nine different kinds of food grain seeds in small containers during these nine days and then offer the young saplings to the goddess.
The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are sown, sprouting is watched, the planets are consecrated, and on the 8th and 9th days, Goddess Durga, Vijay-ashtami and Mahanavami are worshipped.
Significance of Navratri
The Shrimad-devi Bhagwat and Shri Durgasaptshati mentions the significance of puja done during the Navratri. Devi Mahaatmya and other texts invoking Goddess Durga are cited during the period of nine days.
According to Surya Puraan, if a person worships Goddess during this period then he is blessed with virtues of all kinds and all his sins are forgiven.
During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of universal mother Maa Durga, which literally means the remover of miseries of life. Maya is also known as Shakti as she is the source of all energies in the world. It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction.
In Shiv Puraan, Lord Shiva says that he is Shav without the powers of Shakti ( the ultimate source of energy). In other words, we can say that even God is motionless, absolutely changeless without the divine support of Maa Durga.Actually Shiva & shakti are one.
In Bhagwat puraan, Lord Vishnu says that he is incomplete without his better half. He blesses those who worship his wife Maa Mahalaxmi. It is for this reason the world says Radhey-Krishna and Sita-Raam and not Raam-Sita or Krishna – Radhey.
The Ancient worship of Mother Goddess can be easily dated back to Indus Valley Period wherein the statue of Mother Goddess clearly mentions the presence of her supremacy. This is a true example of importance given to females in Bhartiya (Indian) culture and religion.
Durga or the destructive aspect of the divine mother is worshipped during the first three nights. On the succeeding three knights, her protective aspect of Lakshmi and on the last three nights, her knowledge aspect or Saraswati are worshipped. The significance of this order is that first durga destroys all the evil propensities lurking in the minds of her devotees; then lakshmi implants divine qualities in the devotees’ minds and finally saraswati bestows true knowledge to her devotees. The tenth day known as Vijaya Dasami, commemorates the victory of knowledge over ignorance of goodness over evil.
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Navratri Pooja
The festival of Navratri begins.
1st – 3rd day of Navratri
On the first day of the Navaratras, ‘Kalash Shthaapna. is done in the puja room.These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.
1st – 3rd day of Navratri
On the first day of the Navaratras, ‘Kalash Shthaapna. is done in the puja room.These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.
Lalita Panchami
4th – 6th day of Navratri During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or ‘diya’ to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
4th – 6th day of Navratri During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or ‘diya’ to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
Durga Ashtami Puja
These final days belongs to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colorful festival, yajna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.
These final days belongs to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colorful festival, yajna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.
Mahanavami Puja. Navratri concludes.
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feets are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered sweets prasadam . Then after new clothes or gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feets are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered sweets prasadam . Then after new clothes or gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.
Vijaya Dashmi (Not in Chaitra Navratri)
After the three days of Puja, in Dashami , in the last day, a tearful farewell is offered to the Goddess. Most of the community pujas postpone the farewell as long as possible and arrange a grand send-off. The images are carried in processions around the locality and finally is immersed in a nearby river or lake. Vijaya Dashami is an event celebrated all over the country.This day also marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile
After the three days of Puja, in Dashami , in the last day, a tearful farewell is offered to the Goddess. Most of the community pujas postpone the farewell as long as possible and arrange a grand send-off. The images are carried in processions around the locality and finally is immersed in a nearby river or lake. Vijaya Dashami is an event celebrated all over the country.This day also marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile
Nava Durga Stuti
शैलपुत्री स्तुति
जगत्पजये जगद्वन्द्ये सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिणि। सर्वात्मिकेशि कौमारि जगन्मातर्नमोsस्तु ते॥
ब्रह्मचारिणी स्तुति
त्रिपुरां त्रिर्गुणाधारां मार्गज्ञानस्वरूपिणीम् । त्रैलोक्यवन्दितां देवीं त्रिमूर्ति प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
चन्द्रघण्डा स्तुति
कालिकां तु कलातीतां कल्याणहृदयां शिवाम् । कल्याणजननीं नित्यं कल्याणीं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
कूष्माण्डा स्तुति
अणिमाहिदगुणौदारां मकराकारचक्षुषम् । अनन्तशक्तिभेदां तां कामाक्षीं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
स्कन्दमाता स्तुति
चण्डवीरां चण्डमायां चण्डमुण्डप्रभञ्जनीम् । तां नमामि च देवेशीं चण्डिकां चण्डविक्रमाम् ॥
कात्यायनी स्तुति
सुखानन्दकरीं शान्तां सर्वदेवैर्नमस्कृताम् । सर्वभूतात्मिकां देवीं शाम्भवीं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
कालरात्रि स्तुति
चण्डवीरां चण्डमायां रक्तबीज-प्रभञ्जनीम् । तां नमामि च देवेशीं कालरात्रीं गुणशालिनीम् ॥
महागौरी स्तुति
सुन्दरीं स्वर्णसर्वाङ्गीं सुखसौभाग्यदायिनिम् । सन्तोषजननीं देवीं महागौरी प्रणमाम्यम् ॥
सिद्धिदात्री स्तुति
दुर्गमे दुस्तरे कार्ये भयदुर्गविनाशिनि । प्रणमामि सदा भक्तया दुर्गा दुर्गतिनाशिनीम् ॥
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