Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season.
The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess Durga, the divine mother, had destroyed the evil force (in the form of the demon Mahishasura) during this period.
The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country. People from various sections of the society irrespective of caste and creed celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas at the Mother’s feet.
In some places special puja samarohas are also held by setting the images of Mother Durga on beautifully decorated pandals. Temples dedicated to Shakti also make arrangement for pujas and vrats to mark these nine days as true symbols of devotion and adoration towards the divine mother.
The Nine Days of Navratri
Day 1: Navratri 2022 starts on September 26 (Monday). The first day is called Pratipada.
Day 2: The Dwitiya or the second day of Navratri 2022 is on September 27 (Tuesday).
Day 3: The Tritiya or the third day of Navratri 2022 is on September 28 (Wednesday).
Day 4: The fourth day of Navratri 2022, also known as Chaturthi is on the September 29 (Thursday).
Day 5: The fifth day of Navratri 2022, known as Panchami is on September 30 (Friday).
Day 6: Shashti, the sixth day of Navratri 2022 falls on October 01 (Saturday).
Day 7: The seventh day of Navratri 2022, also known as Saptami, falls on October 02 (Sunday)
Day 8: Ashtami or the eighth day of Navratri 2022 falls on October 03 (Monday)
Day 9: Navami or the ninth day of Navratri 2022, on October 04 (Tuesday) marks the end of Navratri.
How to do Navratri Puja 2022?
The nine days of worship and commemoration of Durga Maa during the Navratri requires tremendous preparations as there is a separate set of prayers and rituals on each of the days. The preparations for the large scale Navratri Puja organized in cities start at least a month in advance. There is a specific time, a process that has to be followed during the Navratri Puja.
Navratri Celebrations – Dandiya and Garba
Navratri is celebrated in the most heart warming way, with the Indian culture and traditions at their bests. Be it western India or eastern India, the celebration for Navratri brings joy everywhere . The days and nights are full of rituals in which Goddess Durga is worshiped in different ways in the various regions, cultural dances like Garba and Dandiya a major part of the festivities. West Bengal, Gujarat and Rajasthan celebrate Navratri with a very unique and splendid touch.
Navratri Recipes – What to eat during Navratri
India, a home to thousands of festivals has this unique connection to food. Every festival has special foods – dishes and sweets attached to it, likewise for Navratri. People fast during the Navratri for nine days and there are many delicious recipes specially made for the fasts. Some of the very delectable Navratri Specials are:
– Aval Kesari
– Subudana (Sago) Puri
– Gujarati Kadhi
– Vrat ke Chawal
– Singhade ka Halwa
