The word Navratri is formed using two words ‘Nava’ and ‘Ratri’. Nava means nine and Ratri means nights hence Navratri literally means nine nights. During the festival of Navratri, Durga Devi is adored and revered in its various forms for ten days and nine nights. Navratri Festival will be celebrated from September 25th to October 3rd for the year 2014. Navratri is celebrated with great taste in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin is around September-October according to the Gregorian calendar. Though Navratri is celebrated in several times a year, but the Navratri celebrated in the beginning of winter in the month of Ashwin is the largest Considered one and auspicious to perform Navratri Puja.
Navratri is also known as Maha Navratri and Sharad Navratri. The beginning of winter and the nine nights of Navratri are considered the most auspicious time to perform sadhana of devotion, worship Goddess Durga Puja and Navratri perform. The nine manifestations of Goddess Durga are Loved every day of Navratri in original incarnations are Shailputri Goddess, Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Love the new goddess is the main ritual of Navratri Puja all.
Rituals of Navratri Festival 2014
1) First 3 days (1st – 3rd day of Navratri): The first three days of the nine days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power, on the first day barley seeds are sown in a mud pot and the pot is kept on the Puja Altar.
2) Second 3 days (4th – 6th day of Navratri): The second three days of the nine days are dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
3) Third 3 days (7th – 9th day of Navratri): The next three days of the nine days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and learning.
Mahanavami : Navratri culminates with Mahanavami. Kanya Puja is performed on Mahanavami in which nine young girls (pre-puberty) representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped and fed.