What Is Navaratri? How to Perform Pooja?

Navaratri is a Religious festival, observed and celebrated by Hindus as a Social Event as well.

‘Nava’ In Sanskrit means Nine,Ratri is Night.

Navaratri means nine nights.

The origin and the legend are detailed in Wikipedia.

The scope of this blog is limited to the period of observance, the poojas to be performed and the meaning of the Poojas.

Navaratri 2020

Sharad Navratri Dates

 

 

Navaratri-

‘The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar.

Navaratri represents celebration of Goddess Durga, the manifestation of Deity in form of Shakti [Energy or Power]. The Navaratri festival or ‘Nine Nights festival’ becomes ‘ten days festival’ with the addition of the last day, Vijayadashami which is its culmination. On all these ten days, the various forms of Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga) are worshipped with fervor and devotion.’

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri

Navaratri is calculated on the basis of the Lunar calendar of The Hindus,

For details of the lunar Calendar please refer my blog Mahalaya Paksha.

Pooja is normally conducted in the evening.

First Three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga.

The slokas recommended are.

Sri Durga Suktham.

Sri Lalitha Sahasra Nama.

Lalitha Trisathi

Syamala Dandakam.

Naivedyam.Payasa, preferably Milk.

Next Three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Slokas.

Sri Lakshmi Sahasra Nama.

Sri Lakshmi Astothram.

Naivedyam.

Sarkarai Pongal.

Last Three Days.

Goddess Saraswati.

Sloka.

Saraswati Dwadasa Nama.

Naivedyam.Sarkarai Pongal.

In some families the tradition ‘Kolu’ or arranging toys representing the Puranic incidents (and modern Living )are also displayed.

This practice is not really religious,but more of a social one.

Those who do not do it regularly avoid it  to start for sentimental reasons.

There is nothing wrong in starting anew.

Women are called to Homes and are offered Kum Kum and Thaamboolam and if possible, Blouse pieces( Black color is avoided).

Traditional dishes like sundal are offered to visitors.

On all these days , Coconut, fruits , betel leaf and nut  are to be offered as Naivedyam.

I will be blogging details of Sarawathi Pooja and Vijaya Dasami  one day earlier to the functions.

Valor ,Wealth and Knowledge are the three attributed one needs to succeed in Life.

These three aspects are reflected in the personification of these three Deities.

While Durga stands for Valor, Lakshmi is for wealth(not merely economic prosperity, but all round happiness and contentment), and Sarasvati for Knowledge and enlightenment.

In all these Poojas these deities are invoked and their Blessings are sought.

For Slokas, Link:

http://www.filestube.com/s/sanskrit+slokas+mp3+free+download

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tenth day is celebrated as Dasara or Vijaya Dashami.

Source.

You may visit the site for Pooja timings/Panchanga.

 

https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/navarathri-golu-essential-details/

https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/mahalaya-amavasyatharpana-explained/

Source for Panchang Dates for Navaratri.

https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/sharad-navratri?date=2020