Happy Navratri or Navratri is an Indian festival celebrated twice a year. It is a religious and sacred festival celebrated as the festival for the victory of Good over evil.
It is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month and Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month.
The Chaitra month comes before the birth of Shri Ram and Hanuman. Shri Ram was born on the Ninth day of Navratri and Hanuman is on Purnima.
The Ashwin month comes before the Vijaya Dashmi or Dushara, the day when Shri Ram killed the Raavan.
Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated in India. It is also celebrated in many other parts of the world.
The word Navratri means “nine nights” or “nine days”. It is celebrated for nine evenings and ten days, with each day dedicated to a different form of Devi – Durga, Lakshmi, Parvati, etc. The tenth day is called Dussehra and it celebrates the victory of good over evil.
The festival begins with Durga Puja when people worship Durga as a formless deity with ten arms carrying weapons to kill Mahishasura and his followers.
On Navratri days people do not eat or make food with onions and fast on the nine days or as per their wish. Many people enlightened the Akand Jyoti during all of Navratri.
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Kanjak
Kanjak is an important part of the Navratri and it is celebrated on Aasthmi or Navmi. On this day Nine or Eight young girls who do not attain puberty are showered with Gifts and Bhog. Sometimes there can be seen a small boy along with Kanjak. These are all rituals that have been in process for a very long time.
- Wish You a very Happy Navratri and this year may be healthy and prosperous for you.
- May this Navratri the Goddess Lakshmi come to all our homes.
- May this Navratri Maa Ambe give us the Right mindset or Sadhbudhi.
- May Maa Ambe give you the strength to fight all of your problems.
- May this Navratri bring happiness, prosperity, Calmness, and success to your life.
- Happy Navratri to everyone.
- Happy Navratri – May this Navratri bring away all the stress, anxiety, mental illness, and all other problems.
- Maa Durga brings happiness and joy to my family and friends’ life.
- May Maa Ambe give you and your family happiness.
- May all Nine Goddesss take out all the problems and sorrows of you and your family.
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Shailputri
Shailputri is one of the nine forms of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The word “Shail” means mountain and “Putri” means daughter, so Shailputri is also known as the daughter of the mountain.
She is depicted as a beautiful woman with two hands, holding a trident (Trishul) in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand. She is usually mounted on a bull or ox, representing strength and stability.
According to Hindu mythology, Shailputri is believed to be the reincarnation of Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, who sacrificed herself by immolating herself in the sacrificial fire because her father insulted Lord Shiva. Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri, which marks the beginning of the nine-day festival dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Devotees believe that worshipping Shailputri can bring strength, courage, and good fortune into their lives. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being.
Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini is the second form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Brahmacharini is derived from two words, “Brahma” which means knowledge, and “Charini” which means one who practices or follows. Thus, Brahmacharini is the goddess who practices or follows the path of knowledge.
She is depicted as a beautiful woman with four arms, holding a rosary (Japa Mala) in her right hand and a water pot (Kamandal) in her left hand. Her other two hands are in the mudra (gesture) of blessing and fearlessness. She is usually dressed in white and is often shown walking barefoot.
According to Hindu mythology, Brahmacharini is believed to be the unmarried form of the goddess Parvati, who is also known as Uma. She is said to have observed intense penance and austerity to please Lord Shiva and obtain him as her husband.
Devotees believe that worshipping Brahmacharini can help them attain knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual growth. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being.
Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta is the third form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Chandraghanta is derived from two words, “Chandra” which means moon, and “Ghanta” which means bell. Thus, Chandraghanta is the goddess who wears a moon-shaped bell on her forehead.
She is depicted as a beautiful woman with ten arms, riding on a tiger or lion. She holds weapons like a sword, bow, arrow, and trident in her hands. She also holds a lotus, a bell, and a pot of holy water (Kalash) in her other hand. Her most distinctive feature is the half-moon-shaped bell on her forehead.
According to Hindu mythology, Chandraghanta is believed to have appeared when Goddess Parvati decided to marry Lord Shiva. She is said to have worn a bell shaped like a crescent moon on her forehead to protect Lord Shiva from demons who were trying to harm him.
Devotees believe that worshipping Chandraghanta can help them overcome their fears and difficulties. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can bring peace, prosperity, and happiness into one’s life.
Kushmanda
Kushmanda is the fourth form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Kushmanda is derived from three words, “Ku” which means little, “Ushma” which means warmth or energy, and “Anda” which means egg. Thus, Kushmanda is the goddess who created the universe by producing a cosmic egg with her divine smile and energy.
She is depicted as a radiant woman with eight or ten arms, holding weapons and a mala (rosary) in her hands. She rides a lion or tiger and is often shown wearing a crown or makuta on her head.
According to Hindu mythology, Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe by producing a cosmic egg with her divine smile and energy. It is said that she gives light and energy to the world and is the source of all creation.
Devotees believe that worshipping Kushmanda can bring strength, health, and prosperity into their lives. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can help one overcome obstacles and achieve success in life.
Skandmata
Skandamata is the fifth form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Skandamata is derived from two words, “Skanda” which means Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and “Mata” which means mother. Thus, Skandamata is the mother of Kartikeya, also known as Skanda.
She is depicted as a four-armed goddess, holding a lotus flower and a bell in two of her hands, while the other two hands are in the mudras (gestures) of blessing and protection. She is often depicted sitting on a lotus flower with her son Kartikeya on her lap.
According to Hindu mythology, Skandamata is believed to be the mother of Kartikeya, who is also known as Skanda, the god of war. It is said that Skandamata nursed and protected her son during his childhood and helped him become a powerful warrior who vanquished demons.
Devotees believe that worshipping Skandamata can bring courage, strength, and protection into their lives. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can help one overcome fear and achieve success in life.
Katyayani
Katyayani is the sixth form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Katyayani is derived from the name of the sage Katyayana, who is said to have performed intense penance to seek the blessings of the goddess.
She is depicted as a four-armed goddess, riding a lion or tiger, and holding a sword and lotus flower in her two hands. Her other two hands are in the mudras (gestures) of blessing and protection. She is often depicted wearing red clothes and adorned with various ornaments.
According to Hindu mythology, Katyayani is believed to have appeared to defeat the demon Mahishasura, who was terrorizing the world. It is said that she was born as the daughter of sage Katyayana and was gifted with immense powers by the gods to defeat the demon.
Devotees believe that worshipping Katyayani can bring courage, strength, and victory into their lives. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can help one overcome obstacles and achieve success in life.
Kaalratri
Kaalratri is the seventh form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Kaalratri is derived from two words, “Kaal” which means time, and “Ratri” which means night. Thus, Kaalratri is the goddess who is associated with the dark night of time and destruction.
She is depicted as a fierce and dark goddess, with wild hair, three eyes, and four arms. In her hands, she holds a sword, a trident, and a noose, while her fourth hand is in the mudra (gesture) of blessing. She rides a donkey or a buffalo and is often shown wearing a garland of human skulls around her neck.
According to Hindu mythology, Kaalratri is believed to have appeared to kill the demon Raktabija, who had the power to create clones of himself whenever a drop of his blood fell on the ground. It is said that Kaalratri drank all his blood before it could touch the ground and thus defeated him.
Devotees believe that worshipping Kaalratri can help them overcome their fears and obstacles. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can bring protection, strength, and courage to one’s life.
Maha Gowri
Maha Gowri, also known as Maha Gauri, is the eighth form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Maha Gowri means “extremely white” or “very fair,” and she is believed to be the embodiment of purity, peace, and serenity.
She is depicted as a beautiful and serene goddess, with a moon-like aura, dressed in a white or green saree, and holding a trident and a tambourine in her hands. Her complexion is said to be fair, and she is often shown riding a bull or being carried by a lion.
According to Hindu mythology, Maha Gowri is believed to have performed intense penance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain him as her husband. It is said that her penance was so severe that her body turned dark, and Lord Shiva had to clean her with the holy water of the Ganges River, after which she regained her fair complexion.
Devotees believe that worshipping Maha Gowri can help them attain purity, peace, and serenity in their lives. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can help one overcome their sins and attain spiritual enlightenment.
Siddhidayini
Siddhidayini is the ninth and final form of the Hindu goddess Durga, worshipped during the Navratri festival. The name Siddhidayini means “the giver of supernatural powers or Siddhis.” She is believed to be the ultimate form of the goddess, representing the culmination of all her powers and abilities.
She is depicted as a four-armed goddess, with a radiant aura, holding a trident, a sword, and a mace in her three hands, while her fourth hand is in the mudra (gesture) of blessing. She is often shown riding a lion or a tiger and is adorned with various ornaments.
According to Hindu mythology, Siddhidayini is believed to have the power to grant her devotees supernatural powers or siddhis. It is said that she bestows her blessings upon those who worship her with devotion and sincerity.
Devotees believe that worshipping Siddhidayini can help them attain spiritual and worldly success. People also offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek her blessings and pray for their well-being. It is believed that chanting her mantra can help one attain spiritual enlightenment and attain supernatural powers.
Ashtami
Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri and as you read above on this day we worship the Goddess Maha Gowri. Kanjak Poojan is the ritual that is followed after the Pooja. Many people In India do the Kanjak Poojan on the Navmi.
After the Kanjak Poojan, we Open the fast(Vrat) that we do during the Navratri. Chole and Poori are given to the Kanjank as a Bhog. We believe that the Kanjaks are the Goddesses that come to our home for Bhog.
There is no special rule of fasting or fruits etc. in this fast(Vrat). This story should be read after getting up early in the morning, taking a bath, going to the temple, or meditating on Durga during Navratras at home.
This fast is especially fruitful for girls. By the grace of Shri Jagadamba Mata, all obstacles are removed. At the end of the story chant ‘Durga Mata Teri Sada Hi Jai Ho’ again and again. You can read the full Katha by clicking here.
