The concept of Navaratri
Navaratri festival is celebrated fives time in a year according to the
Hindu calendar.
1. Vasanta Navaratri: Vasanta Navaratri, dedicated to the nine forms of
Shakti (Mother Goddess) is celebrated in the spring season (March–April).
Hence, it is known as Vasanta Navaratri. Alternatively it is known as
Basanta Navaratri. It comes in the month of Chaitra, the first month of
Hindu calendar, hence this Navaratri is also known as Chaitra Navaratri. It
is also known as Chandika Navaratri due to the importance of her worship
during this period. The ninth day of the festival is celebrated as
Ramanavami, the birthday of Rama. Hence, the festival is known as Rama
Navratri.
2. Gupta Navaratri: Gupta Navaratri is also dedicated to the nine forms
of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadhathat is the months of
June or July according to Gregorian calendar. Hence, this Navaratri is
known as Ashadha Navaratri. This festival is also famous as Gayatri or
Shakambhari Navaratri. Gayatri and Shakambari, Goddess of vegetables are
the majors female divinities worshipped during the festival.
3. Sharada Navaratri: This is the most important among all Navaratris.
Hence it is simply called as Maha Navaratri (the Great Navratri). It is
celebrated in the month of Ashvina. Sharad Navaratri, is celebrated during
Sharada season (beginning of winter, September–October) which gives a
suitable reason for its title.
4. Paush Navaratri: Paush Navaratri is celebrated in the month of Paush
(December–January according to Gregorian calendar).
5. Magha Navaratri: Magha Navaratri in celebrated the month of Magha
(January–February).
Importance of Sharad Navaratri
Among all the Navaratris, Sharada Navaratri is very significant and
popular. It is celebrated with great zeal and zest all over India. It is
popularly known as the Navaratri festival. This popularity and importance
of Sharad Navaratri is mentioned in the Dharmasindhu as,
Dharma-sindu
Navaratrashabdah Ashvinashuklapratipadamarabhya mahanavamiparyantam
kriyamanakarmanamadheyam
(Navaratri word denotes the spiritual acts performed in the period from
first day to ninth day of the first half of Ashwin month.)
Hence only Sharad Navaratri is commonly known as Navaratri. Festival of
Navaratri is celebrated for nine nights and ten days. The last tenth day is
known as Vijayadashami, the tenth day of the victory. Goddess Durga and her
form are worshipped during this Navaratri hence it is also known as Durga
Navaratri.
The famous story of Sati is commonly given as the reason for the
celebration of the Navaratri.
Sati was the daughter of Daksha. Lord Shiva was pleased with Sati’s worship
and married her. Daksha was against their marriage but could not stop it.
Then after some time Daksha arranged a sacrifice to which everyone except
Lord Shiva was invited. Sati visited the sacrifice place, got insulted due
to the behaviour of her mother and father. Hence she sacrificed herself in
the fire. Lord Shiva was sorrowful when he discovered this. He lifted
Sati’s body on his shoulder and started dancing madly.
Then Lord Narayana cut Sati’s body into pieces with his Chakra. The pieces
fell from the shoulder of the dancing Shiva and scattered throughout the
Indian subcontinent. Shiva was pacified when the last piece fell from his
shoulder. Since those places are known as ‘Shakti Piths’ or energy pits.
In the next birth, Shakti born as Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya became
the wife of Shiva. Parvati took the form of Durga for killing demons in
this birth. Hence her worship started in the form of Durga Navatratri.
The festival of Navaratri is celebrated for the nine days in the Sharad
(winter) season.
(Navaratri begins on the first day of the first half of the Ashwin month.)
The Navarathri festival has to be celebrated in the first or bright half of
the month of Asvina (September – October). It starts on the pratipada,
first day of the month and continues till the ninth day navami. Then on the
tenth day, on the day of Vijayadashmi or Dasara it ends.
Rituals of Navaratri
Though Navaratri is a nine day festivals, Nibandha literature suggests that
one should practice it according to one's own family tradition which is
known as Kulachara. These Kulachara can be for last seven, five, three, two
or one day by worshipping family goddess. Normally following verse is
recited during the worship of family goddess,
mama sahkuTuMbasyaamaukdovatap`IitWara savaa-pcCaMitpUva-k
dIGaa-yauQa-napu~aidvaRiwSa~ujayakIit-laaBap`mauK … È
Mama sahakutumbasyamukadevatapritidwara sarvapchchantipurvaka
dirghayurdhanaputradivruddhishatrujayakirtilabhapramukha…
People observe fast and worship goddess Durga. They also avoid meat and
alcoholic drinks during Navaratri.
Mainly people worship various forms of Shakti. There are also various forms
of her worship such as Ghatasthapana, Durgapuja, Saraswatipuja. Mainly
first three days are celebrated for Goddess Durga, next three for Lakshmi
and last three for Saraswati. Worshipping these three Goddesses symbolizes
the worship of strength, wealth and wisdom accordingly.
Ghatasthapana –
Ghatasthapana is normally practiced on the first day of Navaratri and
continues till the ninth day. Shakti is worshipped in the form of Ghat
(pot). Normally flower decorations are changed daily which is known as Mala
(flower garland) worship. People light lamp in front of goddess for day and
night. It is known as Akhanda Dipa. During the worship mainly women or
girls are honored with worship and gifts.
his description of rituals to be practiced during Ghatasthapana is given in
Dharmasindhu as,
Atra navaratre ghatasthapanam pratarmadhyahne pradoshakale cheti trikalam
dwikalam va swaswakuladevatapujanam saptashatyadijapokhanda dipah
acharapraptamalabandhanam upawasanaktaika bhaktadi niyama…
(During Navaratri Kalasha, auspicious pot should be installed, then in the
morning, afternoon or evening or in all the three times people should
worship their family goddess, lamp should be lighted continuously, and
people should follow custom of reciting Durgapatha, tying flower garlands,
fasting, etc.)
Some people keep that Ghata on the heap of soil and sow nine or
five types of grains in that. Then on the last they immerse those sprouted
grains along with the goddess. This type of worship correlates with the
mother earth worship.
Durga Puja –
Mainly Durga worship starts on the fifth day of the navaratri. Idol
of goddess Durga with ten hands, sitting on lion in the form of
Mahishasurmardini is installed for the worship. Then there are also idols
of Ganesh, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati in worship.
On the first day goddess is welcomed by using the branch of Bilva
tree as it is her favorite tree. This ritual is known as Bodhana. On the
second day ritual of Adhivasa is performed in which priest touches the
goddess with auspicious objects and invokes the goddess for purity.
On the seventh day Kalabahu or Kadali vadhu is installed near
Ganesh as his wife. This Kalabahu made by decorating a bunch of nine herbs.
Next two days Mahasnana, great bath of goddess takes place. During the
ritual, a mirror is kept in front of the goddess and all the rituals are
performed to the reflection of the goddess. Then Bali (victim) is offered
to goddess Durga. Offering sacrifice to Goddess Durga is very significant
in Durgapuja which is mentioned in Vratakoumudi as,
na tqaa bailadanaona puYpQaUpivalaopnaO:
È
yaqaa santuYyato maoYaOma-ihYaO-ivanQyavaaisanaI
ÈÈ
Na tatha balidanena
pushpadhupavilepanaih
yatha santushyate meshairmahishairvindhyavasini
(Goddess Vindhyavasini obtains pleasure by the sacrifice of ram and buffalo
than the offering of Rice, flowers, Dhupa, lamp, vilepana.)
Kalika Purana gives the list of animals to scarified as victim in
front of Goddess as,
Pakshinah kachchapah grahya matsya navavidha
mrugah
mahisho gavayo gavashchchago babhrushcha
shukarah
khangashcha krushnasarashcha godhika sharabho harih
shardulashcha narashchaiva svagatrarudhiram
tatha
chandikabhairavadinam balayah parikirtita
Saraswatipujana –
Saraswati the goddess of learning is also worshipped during this
period. People install an idol of Saraswati and worship her along with the
instruments of learning such as book, notebook and pen.
Which part of India it is celebrated the most
Navratri is a very important and major festival allover India. It is
celebrated in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka by performing
Garaba dance. This festival is also celebrated with great zeal in Bihar,
West Bengal, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh.
North India – In North India, all three Navaratris are celebrated with much
fervor by fasting on all nine days and worshiping the Mother Goddess in her
different forms. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the Sharad Navaratri.
Dramatic performance of Ramalila is special program of the Navaratri in the
North and central India. Every day of the Navaratri story of Rama is
performed in part by part and Ravanadahana is celebrated on the last day of
Dasara.
Gujarat & Rajasthan – In Gujarat and Rajasthan Goddess is worshipped in the
form of clay pot and lamp. Garaba and Dandiya ras, folk dance is performed
in front of the goddess for all nine days. This unique and mind blowing
dance form is famous all over the world.
Maharashtra – Ghatasthapana is prominently celebrated in Maharashtra. Then
as in Gujarat, the folk dance of Garaba is also celebrated in Maharashtra.
In Maharashtra, Hadaga or Bhondala is specially performed during
Navaratri. It is mainly celebrated by women or young girls by dancing
around the picture of an elephant.
Goa - The Saraswat Brahmins in Goa worship their family goddess during the
festival. These are the famous ten goddesses, Shantadurga, Aryadurga,
Mahalasa, Katyayani, Mahamaya, Kamakshi, Vijayadurga, Bhumika, Mahalakshmi
and Navadurga.
South India – In Kerala, Ashtami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami, that is
eighth, ninth and tenth day of Sharad Navarathri are celebrated as
Sarasvati Puja in which books are worshiped. The books are placed for Puja
on the Ashtami day in homes, traditional schools, temples, etc. & Tamil
Nadu. Worshipping of goddess Chamundeshwari, a form of Durga starts from
Navaratri onwards. This celebration is famous for Golu that is display of
dolls in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Bengal & Orissa – The last four days of Sharad Navaratri is celebrated as
Durga puja in East India, Bengal, Orissa and Assam. Elegantly crafted and
decorated life-size clay idols of Durga in the form of Mahishasurmardini
are installed privately and publically. These idols are worshiped for five
days and immersed in the river on the fifth day of Dasara. In Bihar,
Bengal, Assam and Orissa, the goddess Kali, an appellation of Durga, is
also worshipped as a symbol of Shakti (Power).
Ecological significance
Vasant and Sharad Navaratri are marked as the beginning of spring and
autumn seasons. These are considered to be important conjunction of
climatic and solar influence. Hence these two periods are celebrated as
sacred days for the worship of Shakti.
The celebration of Sharada Navaratri represents the harvest festival
because during this period only second season of harvest starts. Hence
grains are sprouted during the festival as part of ritual which symbolizes
harvesting. Hence eating grains is prohibited at some places as part of
ritual.
KR IRS 20 `10 23
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jambunathan Iyer <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2023 at 10:24
Subject: This year Katyayani Maa worship date during Navratri is on 20th
October 2023 the 6th Day of Navaratri.
To: Rajaram Krishnamurthi <[email protected]>, ARR <
[email protected]>, YM - markandeya101091 <
[email protected]>, venkat giri <[email protected]>,
Yeddanapudi Markandeyulu <[email protected]>, SRIRAMAJAYAM <
[email protected]>, Srinivasan Sridharan <[email protected]>,
gopala krishnan <[email protected]>, Chittanandam V R <
[email protected]>, N. Sekar <[email protected]>
Navratri 2023: The 9 Avatars of Maa Durga Worshipped .
Navratri 2023: The 9 Avatars of Maa Durga Worshipped.
This year Katyayani Maa worship date during Navratri is on 20th October
2023 the 6th Day of Navaratri.
According to puranas Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and other demi gods has
presented Goddess Katyayani with various weapons to destroy demon
Mahishasura.
On the sixth day, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped. She took the form of
Katyayani to destroy the demon, Mahisa Sura. She rides on the lion and has
ten hands. She is called Katyayani as she is the daughter of Sage
Katyaayan. According to mythology, Sage Katyaayan worshiped Goddess Durga
and pleased with the devotion of the sage Maa Durga agreed to take birth as
his daughter. Maa Katyayani blesses her devotees to get rid of all their
sins and attain material wellbeing.
Goddess Katyayani is one of the main Hindu goddesses worshiped on the sixth
day of Navratri Festival. Katyayani Devi is one of the Navadurga forms and
took birth as the daughter of Sage Katyayan born in the Katya lineage.
Details about Katyayani Mata can be seen in Devi-Bhagavata Purana,
Markandeya Purana, Varaha Purana, Skanda Purana and Vamana Purana. Goddess
Katyayani is regarded as a Warrior goddess who took birth to destroy demon
Mahishasura.
Maa Katayani has three eyes and her vahana is the majestic lion. Goddess
Katyayani is depicted as having four, eight, ten or 18 arms. These weapons
are displayed when the goddess is depicted with more arms. The most common
representation is with four arms – one hand holds the shining Chandrahasa
(longsword) and the other carrys a lotus flower. The other two hands are in
Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra.
Goddess Kanya Kumari Devi of Kanyakumari Temple is said to be an avatar of
Katyayani Maa. Katyayani Peeth Temple in Vrindaban; Katyayani Baneshwar
Temple in Karnataka; and Katyayani Temple in Kolhapur Maharashtra are
important temples dedicated to the goddess.
6) Kathyayani Stuti
Sukhananda Kareem Shanthaam, Sarva Devair Namaskrutham,
Sarva Bhoothmikam Devi Shambhavim, Pranamyaham
*Prayer to Kathyayani*
I salute the consort of Shiva who blesses with joy and pleasure,
Who is saluted by all Devas and who is in all beings.
Katyayani Temple, Karnataka
On the 6th day of Navratri people pray to goddess Katyayani. Although there
are many temples which are dedicated to this idol but the most famous is
Katyayani Temple at Aversa in Karnataka.
Katyayani is the sixth form of Maa Durga and she is considered as a Warrior
Goddess. People visit this temple to seek blessings for fighting against
all the hurdles in life and have a strong mental power. Goddess Katyayani
was formed from the powers of god Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to kill the
devil Mahishasura.
Sage Katyayana was the first person to worship her so she was named as
Katyayani. According to the custom first the pooja of goddess Katyayani is
done, then Sri Baneshwar and Sri Ganesh. The idol of goddess Katyayani has
3 eyes and four hands. She sits on a lion and is seen holding a lotus in
one hand and sword in the other. It is believed that people who pray from
her with full devotion achieve a power to get the intuition about the
upcoming problems before and remove them from life.
This great religious place is situated at Aversa in the district of Ankola,
Karnataka. If you are traveling by bus get down at Aversa bus stand. In
case the last stop of your bus is Ankhola Bus stand then take a private
taxi from there. If you have a personal car then after reaching Aversa park
your vehicle and go by walking
N Jambunathan Rengarajapuram-Kodambakkam-Chennai-Mob:9176159004
*" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you
become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to
a goal, not to people or things "*
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