Navratri 2023: Auspicious Dates, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, and Rituals
Sharadiya Navratri: Celebrating the Divine Feminine Energy
Sharadiya Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. It falls in the bright half of the Ashwin month, usually in September or October, and spans nine days of worship dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Significance of Sharadiya Navratri:
Navratri, which means "nine nights" in Sanskrit, is a time to honour the divine feminine energy that represents cosmic power. During these nine nights and ten days, Hindus worship different forms of the goddess Durga, who is believed to have nine different manifestations, each with unique qualities and attributes.
The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, as it commemorates the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It's a time for devotees to seek the blessings of the goddess for strength, wisdom, and protection.
Rituals and Celebrations:
Ghatasthapana: The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, the ceremonial installation of a Kalash (sacred pot) symbolizing the presence of the goddess. Devotees clean and purify their homes and set up an area for the pooja, typically in the form of a small altar.
Worship and Fasting: During Navratri, devotees observe strict fasting and perform daily prayers and aarti (ritual of waving lamps) in the morning and evening. Many people also read or recite the Durga Saptashati, a sacred text dedicated to the goddess.
Dandiya and Garba: In various parts of India, people celebrate Navratri by participating in traditional dances like Dandiya and Garba. These lively dance forms are a way to rejoice in the festive spirit and express devotion to the goddess.
Auspicious Timings for Kalash Establishment:
The timing of Ghatasthapana is crucial as it marks the beginning of Navratri. In 2023, the auspicious timing for Kalash establishment will be from 11:44 AM to 12:30 PM during the day on the 15th of October.
Durga Ashtami:
Durga Ashtami falls on the 22nd of October in 2023. On this day, Maha Ashtami Pooja is performed, which involves the worship of Goddess Durga's eight-armed form. Young girls, symbolizing the goddess, are worshipped, and elaborate rituals take place.
Navratri Pooja Dates:
Here are the dates for Navratri and the corresponding forms of the goddess worshipped each day:
- 15th October - Ghatasthapana, Shailaputri Pooja
- 16th October - Brahmacharini Pooja
- 17th October - Chandraghanta Pooja
- 18th October - Kushmanda Pooja
- 19th October - Skandamata Pooja
- 20th October - Katyayani Pooja
- 21st October - Kalratri Pooja
- 22nd October - Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Pooja
- 23rd October - Maha Navami, Havan
- 24th October - Vijayadashami, Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan
Sharadiya Navratri is a time for inner reflection, devotion, and seeking the divine blessings of Goddess Durga. Devotees believe that worshiping with sincerity during these auspicious days brings prosperity, happiness, and spiritual growth.