Navaratri festival of Sharad Navaratri is on its way to bring happiness in our lives for nine days. Everyone is eager to seek the blessing of Goddess Shakti on these auspicious days. While Sharad Navaratri is a very important event for Hindus, not many know about its significance.
Importance of Sharad Navaratri
There are five different types of Navaratri celebrated at a different time of the year- Ashadha Navaratri, Sharad Navaratri, Paush Navaratri, Vasanta Navaratri, and Magha Navaratri. Out of all the five Navaratries, the most important Navaratri is Sharad Navaratri which falls between September and October.
Sharad Navaratri is celebrated for nine long days and is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine Avatars. Each one of the Avatars of Goddess Durga is worshipped each day.
Significance of Sharad Navaratri
In the festival of Sharad Navaratri, people all across India come together and celebrate by wear colorful clothes. Sharad Navaratri particularly starts on the first day of Lunar in the month of Ashwin also known as Pratipada. The dates of Navratri is based on the Hindu Lunar Calendar and can vary every year.
Sharad Navaratri is also known as Maha Navratri which translates to Grand Navratri as this Navratri is the most important one among all the other Navratri. This Navaratri is called Sharad Navaratri because it is celebrated during the Sharad Mass (Month from Hindu Calendar). The Navaratri is also referred to as Shardiya Navratri as it marks the end of Monsoon and starts with the Winter.
Celebration of Navaratri
Different states in India have a different celebration on the auspicious day of Navaratri. A huge number of Hindu families fast on Navaratri. During Navaratri’s fast only certain foods items are allowed to eat. Some Hindus families also take a step ahead towards devotion and eat only one meal in the entire day and don’t wear any footwear.
Fasting Guide in Navaratri:
If you are planning to fast on Navaratri 2019, you can consume fruits and fast snacks for the entire day. Usually, devotees don’t consume any most of the grains and spices while fasting. Only a few grains are allowed like buckwheat and chestnut flour. Also, certain tubers like potato and sweet potatoes are allowed. You can also consume food dishes made from Sabudana, sago, fox nuts or makhanas. While the use of sugar is allowed, the consumption of table salt is not allowed during fast. You can contact our expert Astrologers to know more about it.
Few common fast dishes include Sabudana Vada, Sabudana Khichdi, kuttu, buckwheat flour pooris, potato curry, sweet potato halwa.
Navaratri in Different Parts of India
Durga Pooja is similar to Navaratri for Eastern and northeastern states of India. These states have a different approach towards Navaratri. On these days Goddess Durga battled and defeated a buffalo demon and helped humanity to restore Dharma. The Northen States, celebrate Navaratri with an entirely different approach. The festival is synonymous with Ram Leela and Dussehra when Lord Ram defeated Evil Demon Ravana. In the southern part of India, Navaratri is a celebration of the history of various goddesses over evil.
Significance of Navaratri in the Eastern States if India
In eastern states of India, Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Puja. For Bengalis, it is the most significant festival and a major social gathering event. During this festival, there is a large event near major Durga Temples.
The festival is mostly celebrated in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Tripura, and nearby regions. Durga Puja is also celebrated with devotion in eastern Nepal.
Durga Puja signifies the victory of Warrior Goddess Durga over Shap-shifting Buffalo Demon, Mahishasura.
Significance of Navaratri in North India
In Northern parts of India, Navaratri is celebrated by hosting numerous Ramleela Dramas, in which story of Lord Ram and Demon Ravana is acted out in a play. This festival
Significance of Navaratri in Gujarath
Navaratri is one of the most significant festivals in Gujarath. Traditionally, it is celebrated with fasting for a day or even nine days. Devotions are expressed by dedicating prayers to a clay pot called garbo. Garbo signifies the womb of the family and it is lit from the inside, which represents the soul.
Navaratri is celebrated through performing a traditional dance called Garba throughout the nine days.
Significance of Navaratri in South India
In South India, Navaratri is celebrated like the rest of India and ends with Dasara. A notable tradition also involves women making flower decorations mostly using marigolds.
Navaratri Timeline
| Name of Festivals | Days | Date of Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Pratipada (Navratri Day 1) | Sunday | 29 September 2019 |
| Dwitiya (Navratri Day 2) | Monday | 20 September 2019 |
| Tritiya (Navratri Day 3) | Tuesday | 1 October 2019 |
| Chaturthi (Navratri Day 4) | Wednesday | 2 October 2019 |
| Panchami (Navratri Day 5) | Thursday | 3 October 2019 |
| Sasthi (Navratri Day 6) | Friday | 4 October 2019 |
| Saptami (Navratri Day 7) | Saturday | 5 October 2019 |
| Ashtami (Navratri Day 8) | Sunday | 6 October 2019 |
| Navami (Navratri Day 9) | Monday | 7 October 2019 |
Day 1: Pratipada is the first day of Navaratri. This day is dedicated to Shailaputri who was the daughter of the Mountains. The color code for this day is Red as it depicts strength and power.
Day 2: Dwitiya or the second day of Sharad Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini. She was the unmarried avatar of Goddess Parvati. Color code for this day is Royal Blue which signifies calmness of Goddess Brahmacharini.
Day 3: On the third day of Sharad Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta who was an avatar of Goddess Parvati. Goddess Chandraghanta adorned a half-moon on her forehead after she got married to Lord Shiva. The holy color of this day is Yellow.
Day 4: The fourth day of Sharad Navaratri is called Chaturthi. It is dedicated to Goddess Kushmunda. The color code of this day is Green which represents vegetation on Earth.
Day 5: On Panchami or the fifth day we worship Goddess Skandmata. The holy color for this day is Grey.
Day 6: This day is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. She was a warrior with four hands. The color code for this day is Orange.
Day 7: The Seventh-day is called Saptami and it is dedicated to Goddess Kalaratri. She was the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga.
Day 8: Ashtami is an auspicious day of Navaratri. On this day nine prepubescent girls are invited to the house and treated with a meal mostly lunch in the name of all the Goddesses. This day is for Goddess Mahagauri and the color code is Sky Blue.
Day 9: Navami or the 9th day of Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri, also known as Goddess Saraswati. The color code for this day is pink which highlights enlightenment.