Navratri Festival I Worship Method I Kanjak Poojan I The End of

Navratri is celebrated twice a year – once in the months of September or October, which is called Sharad Navratri, and again in the months of March or April, which is known as Chaitra Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the spring season and is also known as Vasant Navratri. People observe the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

The significance of Chaitra Navratri is similar to Sharad Navratri, where devotees worship the nine forms of the goddess Durga. However, there are some differences in the way it is celebrated. During Chaitra Navratri, devotees usually avoid non-vegetarian food, while during Sharad Navratri, many people observe a complete fast or eat only vegetarian food.

Chaitra Navratri is also associated with the beginning of the Hindu New Year, and the tenth day of the festival, which is known as Ram Navami, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.

During Chaitra Navratri, devotees worship the nine forms of the goddess Durga and also perform puja for Lord Rama. People celebrate the festival with fasting, prayers, and devotional songs, and they visit temples to seek the blessings of the goddess and Lord Rama. On the tenth day of Chaitra Navratri, people perform a special puja and eat prasad made of sabudana or fruits to break their fast.

CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI

Navratri is celebrated to worship the nine forms of the goddess Druga, who represents feminine energy and power. People believe that the goddess battles against the demon Mahishasura and emerges victorious on the tenth day, which they call Vijayadashami or Dussehra, during these nine days and nights.

The festival gains importance because people associate it with the change of seasons from winter to spring (Chaitra Navratri) or from monsoon to autumn (Sharad Navratri), and believe it to be an auspicious time for new beginnings such as starting a new venture, getting married, or buying a new Vehicle and property.

Navratri is the worship of nine forms of the goddess, namely Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

People associate Navratri with the worship of other deities such as Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva, depending on the region and the traditions followed, in addition to the worship of the goddess Durga. People celebrate the festival by fasting, offering prayers, singing devotional songs, and visiting temples to seek blessings from the deities.

During the nine-day festival of Navratri, people participate in the lively and energetic dance of dandiya. The dance involves twirling and stepping to the rhythm of traditional music while holding small wooden sticks. People of all ages come together to dance and enjoy the festive spirit, considering dandiya as an expression of joy and celebration. The colorful attire and upbeat music make dandiya a favorite among the youth and a memorable part of the Navratri festivities.

WORSHIP METHOD

The worship method or ritual for Navratri may vary depending on the region and tradition followed. However, here is a general outline of the worship method or ritual for Navratri

Purify yourself – Take a bath and wear clean clothes.
Set up the altar:-Create a small altar or mandap using a clean cloth, and place a picture or idol of the goddess Durga in the centre. You can also decorate the altar with flowers, leaves, and other decorative items.
Light a lamp-Light a lamp or diya near the altar to symbolize the presence of divine light.
Offer flowers-Offer flowers to the goddess and chant the mantra “Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Sarva-poojye Devi Mangala Chandike Aiym Kleem Hreem Shreem” or any other mantra that you prefer.
Offer prasad-Offer food items such as fruits, sweets, or any other favourite dishes of the goddess to the deity.
Chant prayers-Chant prayers dedicated to the goddess, such as the Durga Chalisa, Durga Saptashati, or any other devotional song or mantra that you prefer.
Conclude the pooja-Conclude the pooja by seeking the blessings of the goddess and performing aarti.

THE METHOD OF FASTING

Fasting during Navratri is a common practice among devotees. Here is a general method of fasting for Navratri:

Determine the duration of the fast– Decide on the duration of the fast, which could range from one day to all nine days of Navratri. Some people also opt for partial fasting by consuming only fruits, milk, or other light food items.
Plan the diet– Plan a healthy and nutritious diet during the fasting period. Common fasting foods during Navratri include sabudana (tapioca), singhara (water chestnut) flour, kuttu (buckwheat) flour, fruits, milk, and yogurt.
Avoid certain foods-Avoid consuming meat, alcohol, grains, onions, garlic, and other non-vegetarian or heavy foods during the fasting period.
Keep yourself hydrated-Drink plenty of fluids such as water, coconut water, or fresh fruit juices to keep yourself hydrated during the fasting period.
Seek medical advice– If you have any health conditions or concerns, it is advisable to seek medical advice before starting the fast.
Break the fast properly-To break the fast, consume light food items such as fruits, milk, or yogurt. It is important to avoid consuming heavy or fried foods immediately after the fast.

KANJAK POOJAN

On the last day of Navratri, it is a common tradition to perform the Kanya Poojan and Langoor Poojan, also known as Kanjak Poojan.

Kanya Poojan

Kanya Poojan is the worship of young girls, who are considered to be a manifestation of the goddess Durga. Devotees invite nine young girls (kanyas) to their homes and offer them food, clothing, and other gifts as a symbol of the goddess’s blessings. Devotees worship young girls, called kanyas, as representatives of the nine forms of the goddess during Navratri. They offer them food, clothing, and gifts to receive blessings from the goddess.

The Kanya Poojan ritual typically involves washing the feet of the kanyas, offering them food items such as puri, chana, and halwa, and giving them gifts such as clothes, bangles, or money. After the pooja, the devotees seek the blessings of the kanyas and offer them prasad.

Langoor Poojan

Langoor Poojan is a Hindu ritual that involves offering food items to the monkey deity associated with Lord Hanuman. This practice is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, reflecting the rich mythology and traditions of Hinduism.

The Langoor Poojan ritual is a Hindu practice that involves offering food and prayers to the monkey god, Lord Hanuman. Devotees believe that it brings good luck and prosperity to their lives. After the pooja, the devotees distribute the prasad among family members and friends.

THE END OF CHAND MUND

In Hinduism, people associate the story of Chand and Mund with the goddess Goddess Durga, who they worship during Navratri. Hindu mythology states that two powerful demons named Chand and Mund served the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Shumbha and Nishumbha were powerful demons who had defeated the gods and taken control of the heavens. They had become arrogant and believed that no one could defeat them. The gods then prayed to goddess Goddess Durga to help them defeat the demons and restore balance to the universe.

Goddess Durga appeared in front of the gods and agreed to help them. She then set out to defeat Shumbha and Nishumbha along with her army of divine warriors. Chand and Mund were two of the most powerful generals of the demon army and were tasked with stopping Goddess Durga.

When Chand and Mund saw Goddess Durga, they were both mesmerized by her beauty and approached her to propose marriage to her. However, Goddess Durga refused their proposal and warned them to stay out of her way. The demons became angry and attacked Goddess Durga.

A fierce battle ensued between Goddess Durga and the demon generals. However, with the help of her divine powers and her army, Goddess Durga emerged victorious. She killed Chand and Mund, and then proceeded to defeat Shumbha and Nishumbha, thus restoring balance to the universe.

The story of Chand and Mund symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the power of devotion and righteousness. Many people believe that the story also emphasizes the need to stay focused on one’s goals and avoid distractions and temptations.

THE STORY OF MAA VASHNO DEVI AND MAA SHERAWALI

Devotees in Hinduism revere and worship both Vaishno Devi and Maa Sherawali, who are two different goddesses. Here are their stories:

Vaishno Devi MAA

People worship Mata Vaishno Devi as a triad of three goddesses – Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati, and the legend of Vaishno Devi has deep roots in Hindu mythology and traditions.

Hindu mythology states that Vaishno Devi was born as a mortal girl named… Trikuta. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and sought his blessings. One day, she decided to go on a pilgrimage to visit Lord Vishnu’s abode. She embarked on a long journey through the mountains and forests, facing various challenges along the way.

On her journey, she met a sage named Guru Gorakhnath, who recognized her devotion and granted her the boon of immortality. He also instructed her to meditate and seek the blessings of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati.

Vaishno Devi followed the sage’s instructions and reached the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, where she meditated and worshipped the three goddesses. She then merged with the divine and became immortal.

The story of Vaishno Devi signifies the power of devotion and the importance of seeking blessings from the divine.

Maa Sherawali

Maa Sherawali, also known as Durga or Amba, is one of the most popular goddesses in Hinduism. Devotees believe that Maa Sherawali embodies shakti or divine power, and they worship her during Navratri.

According to Hindu legend, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva collaborated to create Maa Sherawali.. She defeated demon Mahishasura, who had received invincibility from Lord Brahma’s boon.

Maa Sherawali appeared in front of the gods and agreed to help them defeat the demon. She then set out to fight Mahishasura along with her army of divine warriors. A fierce battle ensued, and after nine days of fighting, Maa Sherawali emerged victorious.

The story of Maa Sherawali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the power of shakti or divine energy. People also believe that it signifies the importance of courage and determination in overcoming obstacles and challenges.

Navratri is a time of joy, faith, and renewal. The festival may be ending, but we can keep its lessons of courage, compassion, and devotion in our hearts. May we continue to draw strength from these values and spread positivity and happiness in the world. Happy Navratri!

Jai Mata Di!