Sharadiya Navratri

 Sharadiya Navratri ​​is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the goddess Durga . Navratri literally means a group of nine nights and is celebrated for nine nights (and ten days); first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar) and again in the month of Sharadi. Navratri is celebrated for different reasons and in different ways in different parts of the Hindu cultural landscape.

Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navratri. However, in practice, the main festival after the monsoon season , called Sharadiya Navratri , is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashwin in the Hindu calendar , which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

Sharadiya Navratri is a festival and a fast associated with the goddess in Hinduism. In Vasantika Navratri, the goddess is worshipped from Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada to Chaitra Shuddha Navami , and in Sharadiya Navratri, the goddess is worshipped from Ashwin Shuddha Pratipada to Ashwin Shuddha Navami. Sharadiya Navratri is considered a Shakta sect. The reason for calling it Sharadiya is that it falls at the beginning of the autumn season. In India , worship is performed in more or less different forms during this Navratri, according to each person's cultural traditions. Some texts indicate that Durgotsav is celebrated in both the autumn and spring seasons of the year. The greatness of Goddess Durga is narrated in the Bhavishya Puranas. 

Ghatasthapana or Navratri festival is the festival of worshipping the Goddess with devotion for nine days by installing the Goddess in the Ghata in the month of Ashwin, lighting the Nanda Deep, and so 

Navratri festival and fasting- Navratri Puja Literature                                                                               This festival is to worship the primal goddess for nine days. The rainy season is mostly over, the crops in the fields are ready, some are ready. In such a natural environment, Ghatasthapana is performed on the first day of Navratri . In the temple, there is a continuous Nandadeep, a garland of marigold flowers every day, and the recitation of Saptashati in front of the goddess. In this way, the Sharadiya Navratri fast is observed. 

Any Navratri is usually nine days long, but it can be eight days long due to the waning of the tithi, or ten days long due to the waxing of the tithi. The Navratri of Champashashti is only six days long. 

The importance of every day -                                                                                                                         This festival is associated with the major battle between Durga and the demon Mahishasura. It celebrates the victory of good over evil. These nine days are dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine incarnations - the Navadurgas. Each day is associated with an incarnation of the goddess:

Day 1 - Shailputri-                                                                                                                                          Known as Pratipada (first day), this day is associated with the incarnation of Parvati, Shailputri. It is in this form that Durga is worshipped as the wife of Shiva. The goddess is depicted riding the bull, Nandi, holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left. Shailputri is considered to be a direct incarnation of Mahakali. The colour of this day is yellow, which symbolises action and enthusiasm. 

This goddess is considered to be the reincarnation of Sati (Shiva's first wife, who later reincarnated as Parvati) and is also known as Hemavati. 

Day 2 - Brahmacharini-                                                                                                                                  On the second day, Brahmacharini, another incarnation of Parvati, is worshipped. In this form, Parvati became a yogini. This is her unmarried incarnation. Brahmacharini is worshipped for liberation or moksha as well as peace and prosperity. Walking barefoot and holding a rosary and a kamandala in her hands , this goddess symbolises joy and peace. Green is the colour of the day. Orange, which symbolises peace, is sometimes used so that strong energy flows everywhere.

Day 3 - Chandraghanta-                                                                                                                                Tritiya (third day) commemorates the worship of Chandraghanta. After marrying Shiva, Parvati adorned her forehead with the Ardhachandra (half moon), hence the name. She is the embodiment of beauty and a symbol of valor. Grey is the color of the third day, which is a vibrant color.

Day 4 - Kushmanda-                                                                                                                                 On Chaturthi (the fourth day), Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped. Considered to be the creative force of the universe, Kushmanda is associated with the wealth of vegetation on earth and hence, the colour of the day is orange. She is depicted with eight arms and riding a tiger.

Day 5 - Skandamata-                                                                                                                              Skandamata is the goddess worshipped on Panchami (the fifth day), the mother of Skanda (or Kartikeya). The white colour symbolises the changing strength of the mother when her child faces danger. She is depicted riding a fierce lion, having four arms and holding her child.

Day 6 - Katyayani-                                                                                                                                        Born to sage Katyayan, she is an incarnation of Durga and symbolizes the courage symbolized by the color red. Known as the warrior goddess, Katyayani is considered one of the most violent forms of the goddess. In this incarnation, Katyayani rides a lion and has four arms. She is an incarnation of Parvati, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati. She is worshipped on Shasthami (sixth day). In eastern India, Maha Shashthi is celebrated on this day and the Shardiya Durga Puja begins.

Day 7 - Overnight-                                                                                                                                Considered to be the fiercest form of Goddess Durga, Kaalratri is worshipped on Saptami. It is believed that Parvati shed her pale skin to kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. The day color is royal blue. The goddess is seen dressed in red or in tiger skin and her fiery eyes show great anger and her skin turns black. The red color depicts prayer and assures the devotees that the goddess will protect them from harm. She is worshipped on Saptami (seventh day). In eastern India, Maha Saptami is celebrated on this day and the Bodhona of the Sharadiya Durga Puja also begins.

Day 8 - Mahagauri-                                                                                                                                        Mahagauri is a symbol of wisdom and peace. It is believed that when Kalaratri bathed in the Ganges River, her complexion became warmer. The colour associated with this day is pink which signifies optimism. She is worshipped on Ashtami (eighth day). In Eastern India, Mahaashtami is celebrated on this day and it begins with programmes like Pushpanjali, Kumari Puja etc. This is a very important date. This day is considered to be the birth day of the Mahishasura Mardini form of Chandi.

Day 9 - Siddhidatri-                                                                                                                                      On the last day of the festival known as Navami (ninth day), people pray to Siddhidhatri. This goddess, seated on a lotus, is believed to have all kinds of Siddhis. The goddess has four arms and is also known as Mahalakshmi. The purple color of this day celebrates the beauty of nature. Siddhidatri is the wife of Lord Shiva, Parvati. Siddhidatri is also seen as the Ardhanarishwar form of Shiva and Shakti. It is believed that one side of Lord Shiva's body is Goddess Siddhidatri. Hence, she is also known as Ardhanarishwar. According to Vedic scriptures, by worshipping this goddess, Lord Shiva attained all Siddhis.

In most parts of India, tools and weapons are worshipped in a ritual called Ayudha Puja. Many businesses also give their employees a day off on this day. 

8/10 days of Navratri-                                                                                                                                Sharadiya Navratri was 8 days in the years 1967, 2011, 2012, and will be 8 days in the year 2038; it was 10 days in the years 2000 and 2016. Vasantika Navratri was 8 days in the years 2000 (Ashtami Kshaya), 2015 (Triti Kshaya), 2016 (Triti Kshaya), 2017 (Pratipada Kshaya) and will be 8 days in the years 2018 (Navmi Kshaya), 2025 (Triti Kshaya), 2026 (Pratipada Kshaya). It will be 10 days in the year 2029 (Dvitiya Vriddhi).

Vrat- Navratri is a Kamya Vrat . In many families, this Vrat has the form of a family tradition. This Vrat begins on the pure Pratipada of Ashwin . For this, a sixteen-armed pavilion is erected in a sacred place in the house. An altar is made there. Then, with the help of Swasti, an eight-armed goddess is installed on that altar. If there is no idol, a Navarna Yantra is installed. A Ghat is installed next to the Yantra and it and the goddess are worshipped as per the rituals. The person observing the Vrat has to fast or eat naked food for nine days and remain in the Vrat. This Vrat continues until the pure Ninth of Ashwin. During this Vrat, Saptashati is recited for nine days and a continuous lamp is lit. A garland is tied on the Ghat daily, either in one or in ascending order. Rarely, Homa Havan and sacrifices are also performed. The Kumari is worshipped daily for nine days and food is offered to her. Finally, the established Ghat and the goddess are installed. In some families, the method of tying Kadakanas to the goddess is also prevalent.

Nine forms of Goddess-                                                                                                                                  The Shakti, which was present in all the gods, was deified and the Shakti-like idol was named Devi, and the Shakti sect worshipped her as the supreme deity, Adimaya, or Jagadamba. The goddess has two forms, fierce and gentle. Uma, Gauri, Parvati, Jagadamba, Bhavani are the names of the gentle forms of the goddess, while Durga , Kali , Chandi, Bhairavi , and Chamunda are the fierce forms of the goddess.

First Shailaputriti, second Brahmacharini. Third lunar hour, Kushmanditi Chaturthakam.                          Pancham Skandamateti sixth Katyayanithi. Seventh Kalratrish Mahagauritichashtamam.                    Navam Siddhidan Prokta Navadurga: Prakirtita: Uktanyetani Namani, Brahmanaiva Mahatmana.

1. Shailputri, 2. Brahmacharini 3. Chandraghanta 4. Kushmandi (or Kushmandi) 5. Skandamata 6. Katyayani 7. Kalratri 8. Mahagauri 9. Accomplished

These are the nine forms of the Goddess.

In the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana it is said - "If one listens to the Devi Mahatmya with devotion during the annual Mahapuja in the autumn season, one becomes free from all bondages and becomes full of wealth. (89.11.12)"

Navratri is the time of seasonal change. This creates new strength, new enthusiasm, and hope in us. According to the Brihat Samhita, the changes in the sun and other planets affect human health and affairs. Changes in creation are the play of power. Celibacy, restraint, worship, and sacrifice increase the body's immune system. Memory improves and intellectual development occurs. Therefore, Navratri is considered a time of physical and spiritual purity.

Jogwa- Woman seeking refuge-                                                                                                                    Asking for alms is a form of worshipping the Goddess. Asking for alms is also done as a family ritual of the Goddess. Asking for alms is done on Tuesdays, Fridays, on full moon days or during Navratri. Asking for alms is done by visiting at least five houses with the Goddess in a pardi and asking for a handful of rice or flour. These worshippers wear a garland of kavadis around their necks. It is believed that the intention behind this is to immerse the ego. Eknath Maharaj has composed a Bharud on this alms. It goes like this- The eternally

manifested Nirguna Pragatali Bhavani.                                                                                                    The fifth day of Navratri is called Lalita Panchami (Mahalaya), the eighth day is called Mahaashtami (Durgashtami), and the ninth day is called Mahanavami. 

Goddess' confusion-                                                                                                                                      The practice of making noise to the goddess for nine days during the Sharadiya Navratri period is prevalent in various communities. The worshippers of the goddess, who are called Gondhalis, present poems in praise of the goddess to the accompaniment of the Gondhali Sambal. This form of performance is called Gondhal. Lord Parashurama killed the demon Betasur and severed his head from his body. He made an instrument from the fibers of his head and played this instrument in front of his mother Renuka to pay homage to her. It is believed that the Gondhal tradition began from that time.

Lalita Panchami-                                                                                                                                            This fast is observed on the day of Ashwin Shuddha Panchami. This is a Kamya fast and can be performed by both men and women. Lalita Devi is the deity of this fast. In this fast, the lid of a cup is worshipped as a symbol of the goddess.

Durganavami:- This is the name of the pure Navami of Ashwin. This fast is observed to attain power and wealth. In the morning, they perform Dantdhavan with a stick of Aghada. They prepare Makhar for the Goddess with banana pillars and garlands. In this worship, after offering flowers, 48 ​​Durvas, such as Gandhakshatayukta and Sagra, are offered to Lalit. For the offering, they make laddus, gharges, vade etc. At the end of the worship, they perform the vayan of gharges. They keep vigil and listen to Katha all night. The next day, the Goddess is immersed.

Maha Ashtami-                                                                                                                                    Mahalakshmi Vrat is a Kama Vrat performed on the eighth day of Ashwin Shuddha. The person performing the vow should make an image of Lakshmi with sandalwood. A dorak made of sixteen ropes and tied with sixteen knots should be placed next to it. Then, Mahalakshmi should be worshipped in sixteen ways. Sixteen types of leaves and flowers should be offered to the goddess. An offering of sixteen ghargas should be made. Sixteen lamps made of flour should be lit and an aarti should be performed. Then, the dorak should be worshipped and tied on the left wrist. Then, holding sixteen Durvas and sixteen Akshatas in one's hand, one should listen to the story of Mahalakshmi.

Rice flour mask: - After this afternoon puja, the second puja of Pradoshkali Mahalakshmi is performed on the same day. On the eighth day of Navratri , a standing idol of the goddess with a rice flour mask is made and worshipped. For this, rice flour is boiled and a mask of Mahalakshmi is made. It is drawn with a kajal and a kunkwa. This work is done with a sharp-edged knife. Then the mask is placed firmly on the edge of a pot under a decorated pavilion. It is believed that the bride of the Chitpavan family worships stones and dorakas on Ashtami for five years after marriage and offers them to the goddess in the evening and fills her oti. They wear elaborate clothes on the altar. Then, they tie a specially made hand of cloth bags to the goddess. Like Mangalagauri, many Vasolas are invited for this worship. They all worship the goddess together. After the aarti, blowing the pitcher at night is a special event.

Blowing a pitcher:-On the eighth day of Navratri, a pitcher is blown in front of the goddess. The pitcher is filled with incense and the pitcher is blown five times. This is believed to purify the respiratory tract. Blowing a pitcher has special significance among women of the Konkan Brahmin community.