Sharad Navratri

Introduction

Navratri is a most beloved Hindu festival that spans Nine Nights to worshipping the Nine Forms of Goddess Durga.

Navratri comes from the Sanskrit language, where “Nav” means “Nine” and “Ratri” means “Night”.

During the Navratri festival, devotees pray, keep fastings and seek blessings from the Goddess Durga.

 

When is Sharad Navratri in 2024?

According to the Gregorian Calendar, Sharad Navratri starts on 03rd October (Thursday) and Ends on 12th October (Saturday) in 2024.

According to the Hindu Calendar, Sharad Navratri starts on the first day and ends on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha of the Ashvina month.

 

What is Sharad Navratri?

Sharad Navratri is a major festival celebrated in the Hindu religion to worship Goddess Durga in India. In addition, Sharad Navratri falls mainly in the Autumn season (शरद ऋतु), that’s why it is called Sharad Navratri.

 

What is the Significance of Sharad Navratri?

Let’s understand Sharad Navratri’s deep religious and cultural significance importance in the following points:

• Religious Significance

Worship of Goddess Durga: Sharad Navratri is a time to honour power and the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Symbol of power and victory: Sharad Navratri symbolizes power, triumph and the victory of good over evil.

• Cultural Significance

Festive Pomp: Sharad Navratri is a time of joy, celebration and pomp. In Indian culture, Garba, Dandiya and various cultural programs are organized during Sharad Navratri.

Colourful Celebrations: At Sharad Navratri, people wear bright clothes, especially choosing colours that match the nine forms of the Goddess Durga. Moreover, Sharad Navratri is a celebration of cultural diversity and colours.

• Spiritual Significance

Spiritual Growth: Sharad Navratri is a time of soul growth, dedication and meditation. Moreover, devotees meditate and perform sadhana while performing their religious duties.

Positive Energy: Sharad Navratri is suitable for positive energy, mental peace and spiritual growth, which bring positive changes in life through the worship of Goddess Durga.

• Natural Importance

Harvest Time: Sharad Navratri is celebrated around harvest time when farmers receive the fruits of their hard work. Moreover, Sharad Navratri also symbolizes prosperity and the attainment of a good harvest.

Atmospheric Changes: Sharad Navratri mostly falls in October every year, when the Autumn Season begins with a change in weather.

• Social and Family Importance

Family Unity: Worship, Pandal Decoration and mass celebrations promote unity and cooperation in the family and society during Sharad Navratri.

Social Customs: In Sharad Navratri, traditions and customs like the Garba dance and Dandiya are followed to preserve society’s cultural heritage.

 

What are the Names of 9 Forms of Goddess Durga?

The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga are collectively called Navadurga. A unique form of Goddess Durga is worshipped daily during the nine days of Navratri. Navadurga symbolizes the Goddess’s strength, courage, devotion and wisdom. Here are Navadurga’s names and significance:

1. Goddess Shailputri: Goddess Shailputri is the 1st form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the 1st day of Navratri. Moreover, Goddess Shailputri is the daughter of Himalaya and the wife of Lord Shiva. In conclusion, Goddess Shailputri is a symbol of power.
2. Goddess Brahmacharini: Goddess Brahmacharini is the 2nd form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the 2nd day of Navratri. Moreover, Brahmacharini is called the Goddess of meditation and restraint. In conclusion, Goddess Brahmacharini is a symbol of penance and meditation.
3. Goddess Chandraghanta: Goddess Chandraghanta is the 3rd form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on the 3rd day of Navratri. Moreover, Goddess Chandraghanta destroys evil and always protects her devotees.
4. Goddess Kushmanda: Goddess Kushmanda is the 4th form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on the 4th day of Navratri. Moreover, Goddess Kushmanda originated the whole universe. In conclusion, Goddess Kushmanda is a symbol of creative power.
5. Goddess Skandamata: Goddess Skandamata is the 5th form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the 5th day of Navratri. Moreover, Skandamata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda). In conclusion, Skandamata is also called the Goddess of love and affection.
6. Goddess Katyayani: Goddess Katyayani is the 6th form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the 6th day of Navratri. Moreover, Goddess Katyayani is the fiercest and most potent, and that’s why Goddess Durga took Katyayani’s form to kill Mahishasura. In conclusion, Katyayani is also called the Goddess of courage and bravery.
7. Goddess Kaalratri: Goddess Kaalratri is the 7th form of Goddess Durga. Moreover, Goddess Kaalratri is worshipped on the 7th day of Navratri. In addition, Goddess Kaalratri is the fierce form of Goddess Durga. In conclusion, Goddess Kaalratri symbolizes the destruction of stupidity and darkness.
8. Goddess Mahagauri: Goddess Mahagauri is the 8th form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the 8th day of Navratri. Moreover, Goddess Mahagauri is a symbol of peace, beauty and purity. In addition, Goddess Durga is worshipped as the wife of Lord Shiva in the Goddess Mahagauri form.
9. Goddess Siddhidatri: Goddess Siddhidatri is the 9th and last form of Goddess Durga. In addition, Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the 9th day of the Navratri. In conclusion, Goddess Siddhidatri is the giver of all accomplishments and powers.

The nine forms of Navadurga symbolize power, devotion, courage and knowledge. Ultimately, devotees worship Navadurga and receive the blessings of Goddess Durga every day of Navratri.

 

What are the Right Directions for Placing a Mata ki Chowki in Sharad Navratri?

The correct directions for placing a Mata ki Chowki in Navratri are the following:

Ishaan Kon: According to Vastu Shastra rules, place the Mata ki Chowki in the Ishaan Kon, which means the North, North-North-East, North-East, East-North-East and East directions of the home in Navratri.

Puja Place: According to the Vastu Shastra principles, place the Mata ki Chowki if the Puja Room and Home Temple are in the Ishaan Kon of the house in Navratri.

Clean Environment: Positive energies keep flowing from the Ishaan Kon, so placing a Mata ki Chowki in the North-East direction creates a clean, calm and positive environment in the house.

 

What are the Right Facing for Mata ki Chowki in Sharad Navratri?

The correct facing directions after placing a Mata ki Chowki in Navratri are the following:

South-West Direction: According to Vastu Shastra principles, keep a face towards the South-West direction after placing the Mata ki Chowki in the Ishaan Kon (North, North-North-East, North-East, East-North-East and East directions) at Navratri.

Energy Flow: According to Vastu Shastra rules, positive energies come from the North-East direction, which flows to your whole premises and accumulates in the South-West direction. Moreover, keeping a Mata ki Chowki in North-East direction and facing towards South-West direction.

 

Where To Keep Face While Doing Puja in Sharad Navratri?

While doing puja at home during Navratri, keep your face towards Mata ki Chowki or the East direction.

As per the Vastu Shastra principles, the sun rises from the East direction, which is why doing puja towards the East brings positivity.

 

Which Colours to Use in Sharad Navratri?

Goddess Durga’s clothes, chunri and vermilion, are red or maroon during Navratri. Moreover, using red, maroon and white colours during Navratri is very auspicious. In addition, Red symbolizes power, energy and love, and white represents peace, purity and dedication.

A question arises: If Mata ki Chowki is placed in the Ishaan Kon during Navratri, is it right to use red and maroon because these colours represent the Fire Element and Ishaan Kon is the Water Element from the North to the East directions?

In Vastu Shastra, the Water and Fire Elements are enemies, not friends. Moreover, Navratri only lasts nine days, and if you think that using red and maroon colours during Navratri in the Ishaan Kon of the home brings Vastu Defects or Faults, don’t worry.

 

What is the Right Material for the Aasan of Goddess Durga in Sharad Navratri?

The suitable materials for the Aasan of Goddess Durga in Navratri are the following:

Sandalwood Material Aasan

• Using a Sandalwood Aasan for Goddess Durga in Navratri keeps purity, sanctity and positivity.
• Using a Sandalwood Aasan for Goddess Durga helps in meditation during Navratri.
• Using a Sandalwood Aasan for Goddess Durga provides calmness in the surroundings during Navratri.

Wooden Material Aasan

If the Sandalwood Aasan is unavailable, you can use a Wooden Aasan. In addition, Wooden Aasan purifies the worship of Goddess Durga and creates a positive atmosphere and energy in the house during Navratri.

Note: Never use any other material Aasan for the Goddess Durga in the Navratri.

 

Why Lit Akhand Jyot During Sharad Navratri?

Lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri helps maintain the purity and continuity of worship and sadhana. Following are some of the main reasons for the tradition of lighting the Akhand Jyot during the Navratri:

• Pure Energy: Lighting the Akhand Jyot during Navratri always maintains pure energy in the house.
• Sadhana and Devotion: Lighting the Akhand Jyot during Navratri shows the devotees’ immense faith and dedication to Goddess Durga through Sadhana and Devotion.
• Meditation and Dedication: Lighting the Akhand Jyot helps the devotees meditate, always maintaining mental peace and concentration.
• Worship of Goddess Durga: Lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri is a way of paying respect to Goddess Durga’s powerful and divine form.
• Ancient Tradition: Lighting Akhand Jyot in the Puja Room or Home Temple in your house during Navratri is part of ancient religious tradition and cultural heritage.
• Maintain Positivity: Lighting Akhand Jyot in front of Goddess Durga during Navratri brings peace, prosperity and positive energy to the home and family.

Lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri is an important and auspicious tradition that brings peace to the devotees’ minds and receives Goddess Durga’s blessings.

 

What are the Benefits of Lighting Akhand Jyot During Sharad Navratri?

Following are the many religious, mental and spiritual benefits of lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri:

Symbol of Purity: Akhand Jyot symbolizes purity and divinity in the home.

Blessings of Goddess Durga: By lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri, Goddess Durga’s blessings always remain with her devotees.

Spiritual Peace: Lighting Akhand Jyot creates an atmosphere of peace in the home, which provides mental relief to family members.

Positive Energy: Lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri prevents negative energy and remains positive energy in the house.

Family Prosperity: Lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri brings the family prosperity, happiness and peace.

 

What are the Precautions for Lighting Akhand Jyot During Sharad Navratri?

Keep the following some crucial precautions while lighting an Akhand Jyot during Navratri:

• Keep Akhand Jyot in a place with less airflow.
• Nothing can’t extinguish Akhnad Jyot.
• Use pure ghee or sesame oil to continue burning Akhand Jyot for longer.
• Keep maintaining the Akhand Jyot Wick so that the flame remains burning continuously and is not in danger of being extinguished quickly.
• Always keep the area around Akhand Jyot clean during Navratri.

Following precautions while lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri makes the puja successful and ensures safety.

 

Why Place Kalash During Sharad Navratri?

Placing the Kalash during Navratri is an important religious tradition meant to recognize worship and dedication and receive the Goddess Durga’s blessings. Some of the main reasons for placing a Kalash are as follows:

• Pure and Auspicious: Kalash symbolizes purity and auspiciousness, and placing it increases the effect of worship.
• Old Tradition: Placing a Kalash is a part of India’s ancient traditions and culture and is even used in every religious ritual.
• Cultural Symbol: Placing the Kalash during Navratri is a cultural symbol that represents dedication and devotion towards Goddess Durga.
• Positive Flow: Placing the Kalash during Navratri maintains a positive flow and atmosphere in the house.
• Helps in Meditation: Meditating and performing puja in front of the Kalash helps the devotees in mental and spiritual focus.

Keeping a Kalash during Navratri is an essential part of the puja, which plays a vital role in the devotees’ religious, spiritual and family lives.

 

What are the Benefits of Placing a Kalash During Sharad Navratri?

Placing a Kalash during Navratri has special religious and spiritual significance whose benefits are as follows:

• Placing a Kalash during Navratri brings happiness, peace and prosperity.
• Placing a Kalash in the house maintains positive energy.
• Keeping a Kalash destroys the obstacles and problems in life.
• Keeping a Kalash brings mental peace and progress in spiritual life.

Placing a Kalash makes the Navratri more effective and sacred and brings positivity and happiness.

 

What are the Precautions Related to Setting Up the Kalash During Sharad Navratri?

If you are placing a Kalash in your home or business premises during Navratri, then keep the following precautions in mind:

• Take a bath and wear clean clothes before worshipping the Kalash during Navratri.
• Before keeping the Kalash, clean the place of worship thoroughly with Ganga water.
• Placing the Kalash in the house’s Ishaan Kon (North, North-North-East, North-East, East-North-East and East directions) is very auspicious.
• Always keep the Kalash in a stable and safe place.
• After keeping a Kalash during Navratri, try not to move the Kalash from its place.
• Take care of the water filled in the Kalash and add fresh water if the water level gets low.

 

What is the Method of Setting Up a Kalash During Sharad Navratri?

The methods of setting up a Kalash during Navratri are the following:

• Copper or Earthen Material Kalash.
• Clean water or Gangajal (Gangajal is Best).
• Mango Leaves
• Betel Nut
• Coin
• Lump of Turmeric
• Coconut wrapped in red cloth.
• Rice
• Grass (Durva)
• Marigold Flowers
• Roli
• Sandalwood

 

How to Set Up the Kalash During Sharad Navratri?

Follow these simple steps to set up the Kalash during Navratri:

• Use copper or earthen material Kalash and fill it with clean water (Best is Gangajal).
• Add betel nut, turmeric lump, coin and rice to the Kalash.
• Place mango leaves, grass and coconut wrapped in red cloth on the Kalash head.
• Make a Swastika on the Kalash.

 

What To Do With the Kalash After Sharad Navratri?

After Sharad Navratri, the following actions are performed religiously with the Kalash:

• Immersion of Water from the Kalash: The water kept in the Kalash is pure, so it is best to immerse it in the Tulsi plant.
• Use of Coconut: Distribute the coconut kept on top of the Kalash among the family members as Prasad.
• Mango or Ashoka Leaves: Immerse the Mango or Ashoka tree leaves used for the Kalash in flowing water or a Tulsi plant.
• Coin: Keeping the coin in your home or business premises safe is very auspicious.
• Kalash: Planting a small plant in earthen material Kalash is very auspicious.

After Sharad Navratri, carefully remove the Kalash and the things used to set it up so that Goddess Durga’s blessings and positive energy always remain in the house.

 

What is the Method of Growing Khetri in Sharad Navratri?

The method of growing Khetri in Sharad Navratri is as follows:

Materials: Clean Soil, Barley, Earthen Vessel and Water.

Methods:

• Clean and purify the earthen vessel with Ganga water.
• Put clean soil in an earthen vessel.
• Place the barley on top of the clean soil and gently press the barley into the soil.
• Keep the earthen vessel near Mata ki Chowki and sprinkle water in the morning and evening.
• After worshipping Goddess Durga every day of Sharad Navratri, spread some water on Khetri.
• Khetri usually germinates within nine days.

 

Why Grow Khetri in Sharad Navratri?

The significant growth of Khetri in Sharad Navratri is related to the worship of Goddess Durga, nature and agriculture. The following are the reasons behind increasing Khetri:

• Growing Khetri is a symbol of prosperity, progress and positivity.
• Growing Khetri symbolizes expressing gratitude towards nature and wishing for a good yield of the upcoming crop.
• Growing Khetri maintains purity and the blessings of the Goddess Durga in the house.
• Growing Khetri in suitable quantity is a sign of bringing happiness, prosperity and peace to the house.
• Growing Khetri is considered auspicious and fruitful from a religious and spiritual point of view.

 

What is the Significance of Khetri in Sharad Navratri?

Khetri has religious and cultural significance in Sharad Navratri. Growing Khetri and including it in puja has spiritual benefits. The importance of Khetri is as follows:

• Symbol of New: Khetri’s sprouting symbolizes new life, resurrection, and positive energy. Khetri is a symbol of continuity and progress in our lives.
• Symbol of Purity and Chastity: Khetri symbolizes purity and chastity. Growing Khetri during Sharad Navratri purifies the house. Growing Khetri signifies purity, which helps bring positivity during the nine puja days.
• Symbol of Agriculture and Prosperity: In Indian tradition, the growth of Khetri is associated with agriculture. Sharad Navratri is the time of autumn, the time of sowing crops and the arrival of new crops. Growing Khetri will increase wealth, food and prosperity in the future.
• Symbol of Goddess Durga: Khetri is the symbol of Goddess Durga. The successful germination of Khetri during Navratri symbolizes the blessings of Goddess Durga.
• Sign of Good Fortune: The germination of Khetri indicates good fortune. If Khetri is healthy and green, it symbolizes happiness and prosperity in the future. If Khetri is weak or yellow, it symbolizes difficulties.
• Transmission of Positive Energy: Growing Khetri keeps the transmission of positive energy in the house. Regularly offering water and worshipping Khetri during Navratri brings peace, happiness and prosperity. Khetri is very helpful in maintaining the purity of the environment and soul.

 

What are the Benefits of Growing Khetri in Sharad Navratri?

The benefits of growing Khetri in Sharad Navratri are the following:

• Growing Khetri brings positive energy flows in the house.
• Khetri growing healthy is a symbol of prosperity.
• The cultivation of Khetri maintains purity.
• Khetri’s proper growth is a sign of good fortune and success in the future.
• Growing Khetri leads to spiritual progress.
• The germination of Khetri symbolizes the grace of Goddess Durga.
• Khetri also shows economic progress and prosperity.
• Growing Khetri maintains happiness and peace in the family.

Khetri symbolizes life, growth and nature, and its development has immense religious and cultural significance.

 

What To Do With Khetri After Sharad Navratri?

After Sharad Navratri, the following actions are performed religiously with the Khetri:

• After Sharad Navratri is over, immerse Khetri in any holy river, pond or reservoir.
• If it is impossible to immerse the Khetri in running water, then bury the Khetri in the soil in a clean place.
• Never keep Khetri near the Peepal tree after Navratri.

After Sharad Navratri, it is necessary to immerse Khetri properly.

 

What is the Difference Between Chaitra and Sharad Navratri?

Both Chaitra and Sharad Navratri are important festivals celebrated in the Hindu religion to worship Goddess Durga, and the difference between both Navratri is as follows:

Seasons and Months Difference

• Chaitra Navratri: Chaitra Navratri comes in the spring season and the Chaitra month (March-April) as per the Hindu Calendar.
• Sharad Navratri: Sharad Navratri comes in the winter season and the Ashvina month (October-November) as per the Hindu Calendar.

Reasons

• Chaitra Navratri: The first day of Chaitra Navratri is also celebrated as the Hindu New Year, and the last day is celebrated as the birth of Lord Ram (Rama Navami).
• Sharad Navratri: Sharad Navratri is the most essential festival in India. Moreover, Sharad Navratri is related to the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura.

Places Difference

• Chaitra Navratri: Chaitra Navratri of Goddess Durga is mainly celebrated in Northern India.
• Sharad Navratri: Sharad Navratri of Goddess Durga is celebrated throughout India, especially in West Bengal.

Cultural Significance

• Chaitra Navratri: Chaitra Navratri is also called Vasant Navratri, symbolizing the start of the Hindu New Year.
• Sharad Navratri: Sharad Navratri, also called Mahanavratri, is related to Lord Rama’s victory over Demon Ravana.

Weather Significance

• Chaitra Navratri: Chaitra Navratri is in the Spring Season, when a new crop begins, and greenery is everywhere.
• Sharad Navratri: Sharad Navratri occurs in the Autumn Season, when the weather starts to cool, and symbolizes the time after the harvest.

Navratris are celebrated to worship Goddess Durga, but their celebrations differ according to time, season and regional traditions.

 

Why Does Navratri Come Twice a Year?

The reasons why Navratri comes twice a year are the following:

• The main reason for Navratri coming twice a year is related to natural and religious aspects.
• In Hinduism, both the festivals of Navratri are celebrated to worship Goddess Durga.
• Navratris are associated with significant changes in nature and human life due to the change in seasons.
• From a religious point of view, Navratri, the time of self-purification and receiving the blessings of Goddess Durga, is an excellent opportunity for spiritual practice.

 

What Not To Do in Sharad Navratri?

Avoid doing the following activities during Sharad Navratri:

• Do not indulge in violence, hunting or killing of animals and consumption of non-vegetarian foods.
• Do not consume alcohol, tobacco, smoking and other intoxicants.
• Avoid consuming onion, garlic and tamasic food.
• Avoid anger, jealousy, backbiting, lies, deceit, insults and negative thoughts.
• Do not watch negative scenes, and avoid sexual intercourse.
• Do not shave or cut hair and nails.
• Avoid disputes, fights, quarrels and altercations.

If these rules are followed, worshipping Goddess Durga during Sharad Navratri will yield results and blessings.

 

What To Do in Sharad Navratri?

Do the following things during the Sharad Navratri:

• Donating in the Sharad Navratri is also auspicious.
• Always maintain cleanliness in your residential and business premises during Sharad Navratri.
• Consume pure and satvik foods in the Sharad Navratri.
• Starting any new work, business or construction is very auspicious in Sharad Navratri.
• Buying a new vehicle, house, jewellery or electronic items is good in Navratri.
• Doing a Griha Pravesh, Bhumi Pujan and Hawan is very auspicious in Sharad Navratri.
• Doing a Jaagran and Kirtan is very beneficial for Sharad Navratri.

Following all the rules during the Sharad Navratri brings wealth, happiness, peace and prosperity.

 

Why Not Eat Garlic and Onion During Sharad Navratri?

Following are the reasons for not consuming garlic and onion during Sharad Navratri:

• Garlic and onion are tamasic foods that stimulate emotions like laziness, anger and sensuality in the body.
• Consumption of garlic and onion causes mental and physical imbalance.
• Eating garlic and onion hinders meditation and peace of mind.
• According to Ayurveda, garlic and onion are fiery and tamasic, with medicinal properties. Consuming them increases heat and excitement in the body.
• Consuming tamasic food like garlic and onion causes disorders and mental instability.
• The pungent taste and smell of garlic and onion violates the sanctity of the place of worship.
• Consuming garlic and onion hinders the blessings of the Goddess Durga.

 

Consumption of garlic and onion is prohibited during Sharad Navratri because they have Tamasic and Rajasic properties that hinder spiritual and mental purification.