Sharad Navratri 2017

The word Navaratri means nine nights, and it symbolizes the nine day period of venerating Goddess Shakti and her incarnations. Sharad Navratri or Durga Puja Festival is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated with great zeal and gusto. As the name suggests, Sharada Navratri is celebrated during the Sharada (the post monsoon autumn that prevails before the beginning of winters). As per the Hindu calendar, it falls during the brighter fortnight of the month of Ashvin. The festival generally falls during the month of September or October according to the Gregorian Calendar. This year, Sharada Navaratri will commence on 21st September 2017 and continue till 29th September 2017. All these days, people try their best to appease Goddess Shakti and all her incarnations to get bestowed with their choicest blessings. The festival is also known as Durga Puja and hence, all the nine days of the Navratri festival are dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, and every day holds its importance and has different rituals associated with them.

Every day of Navratri has its own significance and value. Each day is dedicated to one of the nine manifestations of the Goddess Durga, and associated rituals are performed by the devotees with unswerving devotion. The Navratri festival begins with the Ghatasthapana and continues in full swing for the nine days respectively, after which it comes to its conclusion with Dashmi or Dussehra.

Prathama: Goddess Shailputri and Ghatasthapana

Also known as Vrisharudha, Goddess Shailputri is venerated on the first day of the Navratri. Also, this day is considered to be of paramount importance because Navratri Ghatasthapana is also done on the Prathama day. Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana is one of the most important facet of the festival. It involves the setting of the Kalash to appease the Goddess and to start the Navratri according to the rituals. It should be noted that Ghatasthapana should always be done in accordance to the Muhurta. Born as a daughter of the Himalaya, Goddess Shailputri governs the planet Moon and reduces its malefic effects in one’s horoscope. She endows upon her devotees her choicest blessings if they worship her with all their heart and soul.

Dwitiya: Goddess Brahmacharini

The Navratri festival has its second day dedicated to the symbol of purity, Goddess Brahmacharini who is also considered to be the unmarried incarnation of Goddess Sati. It is believed that it was by her efforts and Tapa that Mahadeva agreed to take her as his consort. Venerating Goddess Brahmacharini helps in minimizing the malefic effects of the planet Mars.

Tritiya: Goddess Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandraghanta is the one to be worshipped on the third day, which is also known as Tritiya. Adorning her forehead with a bell shaped crescent moon, Goddess Chandraghanta negates any kind of negative energy that might come around her devotees. The bell is known to ward the evil forces away from anyone who worships her.

Chaturthi: Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is the deity to be worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. Also known as Ashtabhuja, she possesses eight arms out of which seven arms hold weapons to fight the evil and the eighth hand is there to bless her devotees. Those who venerate her will all their heart are blessed with a long and healthy life.

Panchami: Goddess Skandmata

The mother of Lord Kartikeya ( Skanda Kumar) is known as Goddess Skandmata . The fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to her. She represents motherhood as she has her six headed son sitting in her lap. Also, she is known for giving the gift of endurance to her devotees. She governs the planet Mercury and worshipping her amplifies the benefic effects of the planet, while simultaneously reducing its malefic effects.

Shashti: Goddess Katyayani

On the sixth day of the Sharada Navaratri, Goddess Katyayani is revered. Anyone who worships her will unfaltering devotion gets a good life partner. Also, she is known for bestowing marital harmony in the life of married people who venerate her. She is known to govern the planet Jupiter and thus administer the effects that the planet has in one’s life due to its position in the birth chart.

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Saptami: Goddess Kalratri

The Saptami is glorified with the veneration of the fierce form of Maa Durga- Goddess Kalratri, who is also known by the name Shubhankari. She rides on a donkey with her menacing demeanour which is enough to defeat the evil away. She bestows upon her devotees a sense of fearlessness. Governing the planet Saturn, she is known to nullify the ill effects of a malefic Saturn in one’s horoscope.

Ashtami: Goddess MahaGauri

The Ashtami is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Mahagauri, who represents peace, serenity, and tranquility. She is known to confer the same upon anyone who worships her.

Navami: Goddess Siddhidatri and Parana

The last day of the festival holds an immense importance as they fasts are concluded on the last day and Kanya Puja is also held to glorify the female deity. Also, the possessor of all the Siddhis- Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped by her devotees with zeal. She is the ruler of the planet Ketu and helps an individual in attaining Moksha.

Vijaydashmi (Day 9): Dussehra

The nine day period comes to an end when the 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi commemorating the triumph of good over the evil. It was on this day that Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura.

At MyKundali, we wish you a very happy Sharada Navaratri and hope that Goddess Durga vouchsafes her divine blessings upon you