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

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.

Details of exact time for your city may be found in the following link. The source of the dates ,time is this link and it is very accurate.You may refer this for your Panchang. Those who would like to know in South Indian languages may refer

https://www.drikpanchang.com/navratri/ashwin-shardiya-navratri-dates.html

Navratri Day 1

26^th

September 2022

Monday / सोमवार

1

Pratipada

Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja

Panchang for Ghatasthapana DayNavratri color of the day – White

Navratri Day 2

27^th

September 2022

Tuesday / मंगलवार

2

Dwitiya

Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja

Panchang for Chandra Darshana DayNavratri color of the day – Red

Navratri Day 3

28^th

September 2022

Wednesday / बुधवार

3

Tritiya

Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja

Panchang for Sindoor Tritiya DayNavratri color of the day – Royal Blue

Navratri Day 4

29^th

September 2022

Thursday / गुरूवार

Navratri Day 5

30^th

September 2022

Link. https://www.drikpanchang.com/navratri/navratri-calendars.html

Tuesday / मंगलI

i am providing some authentic links for Slokas below.वार

https://stotrarathna.blogspot.com/

https://sanskritdocuments.org/

https://greenmesg.org/