Navratri: Facts and myths you should know!
By: Future Point | 25-Sep-2018
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The nine-day celebration of Mata Durga, is always waited every year during the month of Ashvin month of Hindu Calendar. Accordingly, in the present year of Navratri 2023 start date is from 15th October till 23th October 2023.
Thus, accordingly, the Navratri is celebrated of Goddess Durga in her nine different forms: Shailputri, Bhrahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhatri. These are the different forms of Goddess Durga during the nine days.
It is believed that Goddess Durga took these nine forms before slaying Mahishasura on the 10th day which is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
This, it is believed that during the nine days of Navratri, people worship one form of Durga each day and seek blessing for physical, psychological and mental strength.
Though the Goddess Durga is represented in the first forms as eight powerful expressions, it is in the ninth form that is popularly worshiped. In the ninth form all the eight expressions combine and strengthen the Goddess Durga.
The Facts and Myths on Navratri
The facts on Navratri is that the nine days of Navratri is equally divided into the three groups of worship. The first three days in the forms of Goddess Durga, a form of Adi-Shakti and consort of lord Shiva. The next three days in the form of Goddess Laxmi, the consort of lord Vishnu.
Finally, the last three days in the form of Goddess Saraswati, consort of Lord Brahma. It is on the 10th day, on Vijayadashami, the Goddess assimilates all the three forms of Shakti, Laxmi and Saraswati to consolidate her divine strength to Slay the Demon King Mahishasura.
Hence, In India many parts of country have divine deity in the form of Devi, who have the incarnation of all the three forms of divine existence. One of the incarnations is known as Goddess Mookambika, in the Southern-Karnataka.
It is believed that Lord Adi-Sankara meditated to the three forms of goddess as one and they formed as Goddess Mookambika, around the 6th and 7th AD.
Another incarnation is believed to be Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu in the Northern Part of India. Therefore many pay homage to the goddess to these two temples during the Nine days of Navratri.
In order to let the divine energy, reach them, devotees avoid taking fish, meat, egg, onion, alcohol, lentils and garlic. It is believed that these food items obstruct the divine energy in any form. Moreover, the negative karmic energies accumulate from the environment and other living being.
What is the Myth?
Therefore, the Myth as explained in India is that Navratri is celebrated to seek blessings of goddess Durga, incarnation of goddess Adi-shakti only. This is not the truth. As the importance is attached to all the three forms of Goddess. Therefore, the next time when you celebrate Navratri, please understand the importance of each and every day and then celebrate them with full dedication and devotion. Thus, the following are the dos and don’ts which the readers should keep in mind during Navratri.
Do's: Fasting Rules Navratri 2023:
- 1. Daily having a bath in the morning preferably at 9.00 AM.
- 2. Eat only Satvik Food (simple), only once.
- 3. Give some homemade bhog to Gods every day; if not possible then milk and fruits should be offered.
- 4. Go to the temple or do puja to Maa daily in the morning and evening by lighting lamp and offering flower and doing arti.
- 5. Try to give a gift to at least 2 small girl children, every day preferably in the evening.
- 6. After bath always wear fresh cloth do not use the discarded cloth.
- 7. Recite the mantras and slokas of Maa every available minute with you.
- 8. Earnestly pray to the Goddess Mother to cleanse your Past Karmaas and bring happiness and prosperity to your life.
Don'ts: Fasting Rules Navratri 2023:
- 1. Do not cut your nails for all these days till Ekadashi.
- 2. Do not have a haircut also during this period.
- 3. Do not stitch or knit during this period.
- 4. Do not gossip, tell lies or use harsh words/curse others.
- 5. Do not leave the Jyothi to burn it out. After puja you should, with some flowers put to rest the Agni which stood as the witness to your puja and offering.
- 6. Do not dust your home or at least in the Puja Room/Place and in Kitchen.
- 7. Do not wear slipper in the house if possible for all these 9 days or avoid getting into the puja room wearing one.
- 8. Do not study anything on the 9th day; instead, you should keep all your books and other modern gadgets near MAA and seek her blessing on this day.
Thus, to know more about Navratri Pooja and its significance, readers can write to us at mail@futurepointindia.com or visit our web site www.futurepointindia.com . We at Future Point are learnt and expert astrologer practising the subject for over three decades.