Navratri is a festival dedicated to worship the Hindu Goddess Durga. In Sanskrit, the word ‘nava’ means nine and ‘ratri’ means nights i.e. ‘nine nights’. Each of these nine days of Navratri is dedicated to a particular Goddess who is worshiped on that day. The first form of Maa Durga is Shailputri, who was born to the King of Mountains. In Sanskrit, Shail means the mountain and ‘putri’ means daughter. Goddess Shailputri is an absolute form of Mother Nature and is also referred to as Goddess Parvati, the companion of Lord Shiva and mother of Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Origin and History
As per the Mythology, it is said that Shailputri in her earlier birth was the daughter born to, Daksh Prajapati. She was named as ‘Sati’ and was married to Lord Shiva. In a sacrificial ceremony planned by Daksh Prajapati, he offended Lord Shiva as he was not in favor of this marriage. In this unendurable situation, Sati sacrificed her body and jumped into a yogic fire.
In her next birth she incarnated as Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Parvatraj Himalaya. Like her previous birth in this life also, she got married to Lord Shiva. Among all the nine forms of Goddess Durga, she has been referred to as Shailputri or Himavati. Hence, on the first day of Navratra, she is worshiped with great devotion and zeal.
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Before the festival of Navratri, people clean their houses and even get them white-washed. This festival starts off with placing images of Goddess Durga at homes, temples and pandals. Devotees shower their prayers towards the Goddess in forms of bhajans and mantras. Also, they offer her fruits and flowers. Since all the nine days are dedicated to different incarnations of Maa Durga, the rituals vary each day.
The Ritual: The ritual starts with the Ghatasthapana where Goddess Shailputri is worshiped with flowers, rice, roli and sandalwood. Also, a Kalash is filled with 7 kinds of soil (Saptmritika), clay, nut and five kinds of coins. Below this Kalash, 7 kinds of grains and barley seeds are sown, that are harvested on the tenth day. These crops are then offered to all gods and goddesses.
The Mantra: While worshiping Goddess Shailputri, devotees chant “Om Devi Shailputryai Swaha” for 108 times.
Also, they recite
Vande Vanchhit Laabhaay, Chandrardhkritshekharaam |
Vrisharudham Shooldharaam Shailputriim Yashaswinim ||
Meaning: “I worship Goddess Shailputri to fulfill my wishes, who is adorned with half moon on her head, rides on a bull, carry a trident and is illustrious.”
Bhog (Offerings): On this day, fast is observed and pure Ghee is offered on the foot of Goddess Shailputri. It is believed that by offering this bhog, the devotees are blessed with a disease free life.
Attire: On this day, Goddess Shailputri is embellished in a ‘red’ saree, and the color which is regarded auspicious to wear for devotees is also ‘red’.
Ideal Outfits and Accessories For This Particular Day
Apart from following the rituals and customs, people are also eager to embellish themselves in exquisite outfits and stunning ornaments. As red is considered as an auspicious color for devotees on this day,
Interesting Facts
In the form of Shailputri, Goddess Durga is worshiped as a girl child i.e. the first phase of womanhood.
Among the Nine forms of Maa Durga, the importance and powers of Goddess Shailputri is considered to be unlimited.
Parvati and Himavati are other names of Goddess Shailputri.
Navaratri Day 2: Worship of Maa Brahmacharini and its significance
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The nine avatars played a very significant role in the worship of Goddess Durga during Navaratri. After the Kushmanda form of Goddess Parvati comes the birth of Daksha Prajapati. Then Goddess Prajapati comes into existence and the unmarried state of Mata Parvati is Goddess Brahmacharini.
She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and it is believed that Goddess Brahmacharini, who governs Lord Mangal, is known as the fortune provider. This version of Maa Durga carries two hands in which his righthand carries Jap Mala in the right hand and kamandal in the left hand. And she walks barefoot.
The colour dedicated to Maa Brahmachirini is white as she acquired the Brahmachari avatar and performed severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
NAVARATRI DAY 2: SIGNIFICANCE
The day is dedicated to worshipping Brahmacharini in the form of Maa Durga, which brings penance, renunciation, and good fortune. A person can enhance ethical conduct and a devotee can achieve their goals by praying to the Goddess. On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped with Lord Shiva.
NAVARATRI DAY 2: MANTRA
Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah||
NAVARATRI DAY 2: PUJA VIDHI
On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Brahmachairini.
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Offerings are made like Jasmine flowers, rice and sandalwood in a Kalash to the idols of the deity.
Milk, curd and honey are provided by Goddess Brahmachrini.
Finally, Aarti is done and prasad is distributed among needy people.
A special kind of sweet is offered.
NAVARATRI DAY 2: PRARTHARNA
Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu |
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama ||
NAVARATRI DAY 2: STUTI
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita |
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||
Navratri Day 3 | Worship Devi Chandraghanta
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The third day of Navratri is dedicated to worshiping Devi Chandraghanta. Being the third manifestation of Ma Durga, she wears a half moon (chandra) on her forehead. This moon resembles the shape of a bell (ghanta), hence, the name Chandraghanta. This ten-handed goddess has a radiating golden body and a third eye. While her nine hands hold different weapons that are said to destroy evil occurrences, her 10th hand showers blessings on the world. Ardent devotees of this Goddess worship her to seek forgiveness for their misdeeds. They also revere her in an attempt to obtain her blessings for long lasting endurance, as well as an obstacle free life.
Origin and History
According to legends, when Sati burned her body in the yagya agni, she took rebirth as Parvati to Parvatraj Himalaya. Parvati married Lord Shiva. On the day of their marriage, Lord Shiva arrived with all his Aghoris and Ghosts to take Devi Parvati along with him. On seeing this form of Shiva, her parents and all the guests were horrified.
Looking at all this, Parvati transformed herself into Goddess Chandraghanta and approached Lord Shiva. She requested him to reappear in the form of a charming prince. In the mean time, she revived her family from the shock and erased all their unpleasant memories. Since then, Devi Parvati is worshiped in her Chandraghanta avatar as the goddess of peace and forgiveness.
Customs And Rituals
Devi Chandraghanta is worshiped for her serenity and power to eradicate evil. There are certain rituals that are followed when worshiping her:
Pooja
The pooja should be initiated by worshiping all the gods, goddesses and planets in the kalash. This is followed by prayers being offered to Lord Ganesha and the entire family of Ma Durga. Towards the end of the pooja, Ma Chandraghanta should be worshiped. Finally, this ritual ends with the worship of Lord Shiva and Brahama.
The Mantra
The mantra that is recited, when the prayers are sent, goes something like this:
Ya devi Sarvabhooteshu, Maa Chandraghanta Rupen Sansthita |
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namo Namah||
Pindah Pravarudha Chandkopastrakayurta |
Prasand Tnute Mahayam, Chandraghanteti Vishruta ||
Meaning: “I join my hands in front of the powerful Goddess, one with the bell shaped moon on her forehead. I worship her to forgive all of my bad deeds.”
Goddess Chandraghanta is the goddess of peace and forgiveness. Therefore, she likes to be offered something white as her bhog. One can either prepare kheer for prasad or offer milk to please her.
Color for The Day
On this day, it’s good for devotees to wear something in yellow color while performing the rituals and pooja. Though the Goddess herself drapes a white saree, which symbolizes peace and forgiveness, it is said that her worshipers should wear yellow throughout the day.
Navratri Day 4 | Worship Goddess Kushmanda
Goddess Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga, is worshiped on the 4th day of Navratri (Navratri Chaturthi). It is believed that it was this form of Adishakti that created the universe with her smile. Several pujas, shlokas, and vedic rituals are performed to invoke this Ashtabhuja (eight arms) goddess. It is said that her complexion glows with a golden light that radiates from her persona. Worshiping this goddess is believed to bestow spiritual fulfillment and harmony in the life of all devotees. Navratri Chaturthi falls five days before Dusshera.
Origin and History
According to Durga Saptshati, Goddess Durga was very pleased with her avatar of Kushmanda. It is believed that the supreme goddess of power or Adi-Parashakti, appeared in the form of Siddhidatri from the left side of lord Shiva’s body. After taking the form of Siddhidariti, Goddess Parvati started to live inside the core of the sun and, hence, came to be known as Kushmanda Devi. This implies that Kushmanda Devi is the only goddess who resides in the core of the sun, from where she controls the entire solar system.
The name Kushmanda is a compound word that consists of three Sanskrit words ‘ku’ (meaning-little), ‘ushma’(meaning-warmth) and ‘anda’(meaning-egg); which combined together means a little warm cosmic-egg.
Kushmanda Devi is depicted with eight hands. She has kamandal, dhanush, bada and kamal in the right hands whereas, she is holding an amrit-kalash, jap-mala, gada and chakra in her left hands. Her beautiful female form is seen sitting on a lion that denotes dharma and justice.
Customs and Rituals
Kushmanda Devi is invoked with a Kushmadevi Puja Mantra. Kushmanda Puja begins with inviting other gods, goddesses and their families by worshiping a kalash. Several strotra path, kawach and aartis are performed during Kushmanda Devi’s Puja. Devotees keep flowers in their hands to offer to this goddess. This offering is called naivaidhya or naibidhya. Curd, milk and halwa are distributed as prasad among devotees. According to shastras and puranas, Lord Shiva and Brahma must be worshiped after the Kushmanda Puja. Kushmanda Puja performed with incense, dhoop and durya is considered to be highly auspicious.
Yogis, saadhaks and bhakts can pacify Kushmanda Devi, even with the slightest devotion and purity of mind, to enter Anahata Chakra for pure bliss. This deity takes away all sorrows and troubles from the life of her bhakts and blesses them with good health, mental peace and prosperity.
As it is said that this goddess’s favorite vegetable is pumpkin, it’s no surprise that it is offered to her in her honor. It is also believed that this is the only goddess who can bestow 8 siddhis (perfections) and 9 nidhis (jewels) to her saadhaks.
The Mantra
“Ya devi sarvabhuteshu ma kushmanda
rupen sansthita namastaseya namastaseya
namastaseya namoh namah”
Meaning: “Goddess Kushmanda, who holds two pitchers full of wine and blood in her lotus hands, is propitious to me.
What you can wear on this day
Navdurga Puja spans through nine days. Devotees are excited to wear the nine colors associated with each day. While Kushmanda Devi is seen wearing a Red color saree, devotees are to adorn the color ‘Green’ for the fourth day. Instead of everyday clothes, people prefer wearing traditional and festive attires during this festival.