Navratra (Celebrations from 17th October 2020 to 25th October 2020) - Sharad Navratri / Shardiya Navratri

Navratra (Sharad Navaratri/Shardiya Navratras) will begin on 17th October 2020, Saturday and will last till 25th October 2020, Sunday ending with Shri Mahanavami. (Mahanavami and Vijaya Dashmi falling on same day in 2020)

Navratras are celebrated five times every year but most important and auspecious of these are Sharad Navratras or Shardiya Navratri which marks the beginning of winter season as well as Diwali (Deepawali) season and the other prominent one is Chaitra or Chetra Navratras which are generally celebrated during March-April. Chaitra Navratra are also called Vasantha Navratras. Other Navratri are Gupta Navratri, Paush Navratri and Maagh Navratri.

Gupta Navratri: It's also known as Gayatri, Aashadh Ratri or Shakambhari Navratri.  It's celebrated in the shukla paksha of hindu calendar month of Aashadh (June-July)

Paush Navratri: It's celebrated in the shukla paksha of hindu calendar month of Paush (December - January).

Maagh Navratri: Maagh Navratri is celebrated in the first day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of 'Maagh' (January - February)

Sharad Navratri/Shardiya Navratras: Being the most prominent Sharad Navratras also called Maha Navaratras (the Great Navratri) and is celebrated in the 'pratipada' (first day) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of 'Ashvina'.

Vasanth Navratri/Chaitra Navratri: This Navratri is celebrated in the first day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of 'Chaitra'  It's also important as it also mark the beginning of new Vikrami Samvat in hindu calendar.  Story or legend of this Navratri is associated with King Sudarshan and Queen Shashikala, who were ancestors of Lord Rama.  They were blessed by Sage Bhardwaj, who instructed them to worship Maa Shakti (Durga), which in turn gave them all sort of prosperity.  Lord Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana also worshipped Maa Durga during Chatra / Vasantha Navratri before beginning their search for Maa Sita and it's only with the grace of Maa Durga, they were able to bring her back and win over Lanka Naresh Ravana.

Navaratri is commended in diverse ways all through India. In North India, all the Navaratris are commended with much intensity by fasting on every one of the nine days and worshiping the Mother Goddess in her distinctive shapes. The Chaitra Navratri reaches a state of perfection in Ram Navami and the Sharad Navaratri comes full circle in Durga Puja and Dussehra.

Dates and time for Nine days of Navratri Pujan for Sharad Navratri / Shardiya Navratras

17th October 2020: Sharad / Shardiya Navratri begins. Ghat-sthapana. Maa Shailputri Upasana

18th October 2020: Second day of Maa Durga Pujan, Dvitiya.

19th October 2020: Third day of Maa Durga Pujan, Tritiya.

20th October 2020: Fourth day of Maa Durga Pujan, Chaturthi.

21st October 2020: Fifth day of Maa Durga Pujan, Panchami.

22nd October 2020: Sixth day of Maa Durga Pujan, Shasthi,

23rd October 2020: Seventh day of Maa Durga Pujan, Maha Saptami Vrata.

24th October 2020: Eigth day of Maa Durga Pujan. Shri Durga Mahaashtami.

24th-25th October 2020: Ninth day of Maa Durga Pujan.  Last day of Navratri Pujan which is also known as Maha Navmi in Sharad Navratri / Shardiya Navratras.

25th October 2020: Vijayadashmi or Dushhera

Nine forms or Avararas of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratras

During nine days of celebrations every day a different avatar or form of Goddess Durga is worshipped.  All these nine forms has their distinguished characteristics and considered to protect different parts of human body from all sorts of ailments, problems etc. These nine forms of Goddess durga are explained below:

1. Shailputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Skanda Mata
6. Katyayani
7. Kaal Ratri
8. Maha Gauri
9. Siddhidatri

First three days of celebration and worship

In the first three days of celebration and worship, The goddess is divided an otherworldly constrain called Durga also called Kali so as to crush & destroy all our underhanded and enemies and granting boons.

Second three days or 4th to 6th day of celebration and worship

The Mother is venerated as a supplier of profound fortune, Lakshmi, who is recognized to have the force of giving on her devotees endless riches, as she is the goddess of fortune.

Final/Last three days i.e. 7th to 9th day of worship

The last set of three days is used in worshiping the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. So as to have surrounding triumph in life, adherents look for the gifts of each of the three parts of the awesome gentility, henceforth the nine nights of love and worship.

To know about/or to buy Shri Durga Upasana [Hindi Poetic Translation of Shree Durga Saptashati by Dr.M.L.Sharma, please write to us/or Call @ 91-9999442728.]

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