SHARDIYE NAVRATRI

 SHĀRDIYE NAVRĀTRI

Navrātra is one of the major festival of peoples of Sanātan dharma (religion) all across the world. ‘Navrātra’ is a Sanskrit word, formed by combination of two words ‘Nav’ meaning nine and ‘Rātra’ meaning night. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durgā and her nine forms that are worshipped every day starting from Pratipadā to Navami. The nine form of Goddesses are:

1.      Shailputri

2.      Brahmachārini

3.      Chandraghantā

4.      Kushmandā

5.      Skandamatā

6.      Katyāyani

7.      Kālrātri

8.      Mahāgauri

9.      Siddhidātri 

It is considered as the best time to worship Ādi Shakti. There are 4 Navrātra in a Samvatsar (year). The 9 days from Pratipadā to Navami of Shukla-paksh (Waxing Moon period) of Sanātan month Chaitra, Āshād, Ashwin and Māgh are celebrated as Navrātra. Out of these 4 Navrātra, 2 are incognito and 2 are manifest. Rām-Navami comes at the end of Chaitra Navrātri and Durgā-Navami comes at the end of Shārdiye Navrātri.

The Shārdiye Navrātri is given special importance for the devotees. In Durgā Saptashati, the Goddess herself states:

शरत्काले महापूजा क्रियते या च वार्षिकी।

तस्यां ममैतन्माहात्म्त्यं श्रुत्वा भक्तिसमन्वित:।।

Meaning: On the occasion of my annual Mahapujā which is performed in the Navrātri of Autumn, whoever will listen to my greatness devotionally, that person will be freed from all the wagons with my offerings and will be blessed with a son.

सर्वबाधा विनिर्मुक्तो, धन धान्य सुतान्वितः।

मनुष्यों मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशयः॥

-- अध्याय १२, श्लोक १२-१३ (Chapter-12, St. 12-13)

Meaning: Every person who consumes my offerings will be freed from all obstacles and will be blessed with money, grain and son and there is no doubt in it.

Shārdiye Navrātri puja (worship) was popular in Vedic times as well. Rigved (4 S. 40, Su – 5) mentions about Shārdiye Navrātri. This event is celebrated annually during the 10 days of Durga Puja in the eastern regions of India. In western and northern India, the mother goddess is worshipped as Ambā or Ambikā. Ambikā, or Kusmāndini, is also an important yakshi in Jainism. 

This festival is celebrated in different manner in different parts of India. It is the biggest festival of Bengal. The main celebration starts from Mahāshasthi (6th day) puja and continues till Mahādashami (Visarjan day). Pujā is performed in the morning hours followed by Anjali. Anjali is a very special religious practise observed in all 3 days - Mahāsaptami, Mahāasthami and Mahānavami where the devotees assemble at the puja-mandap empty stomach and they recite Vedic mantras in praise of Goddess Durgā and her family, holding pushp (flower) and beel-patra (leaf of wood apple tree) in their hands clasped in prayer posture. When the mantra-recitation finishes, these flowers are offered at the feet of the vigrahas of Mother Durgā and her family. This is followed by prasad-vitaran (distribution of Mather’s offerings). In the afternoon hours, the devotees relish the divine bhog which consist of khichdi-mixed vegetable, tomato chatni and pāyesh (sweet). Cultural programmes follows in the evening. Vigrah immersion takes place on Mahādashami.

This festival is widely celebrated in Gujarāt. Navrātri celebrations in Gujarāt are known as Dāndiya and Garbā . It lasts all night. Dāndiya's experience is extraordinary. Garbā, as a devotional performance in honour of the goddess, is performed before the 'Ārti' and the Dāndiya ceremony is thereafter.

The celebration of this wonderful festival is celebrated by publishing the majestic quarter of South, Mysore, throughout the month. 

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