🌺 Navratri Pooja – Worship of Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati

📅 What is Navratri?

Navratri means “Nine Nights” – a sacred period of worshiping the Divine Feminine (Shakti) in her various forms. It is observed twice a year — Chaitra Navratri (March–April) and Sharad Navratri (September–October). The most widely celebrated is Sharad Navratri, culminating in Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

Each day is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga). The pooja also emphasizes three key divine aspects:

• Durga – for strength and protection
• Lakshmi – for prosperity and abundance
• Saraswati – for knowledge and wisdom

🛕 Spiritual Meaning of the Nine Nights:

Navratri is a journey from tamas (darkness), through rajas (activity), to sattva (purity). Each phase is represented by one goddess:

• Days 1–3 (Durga): Destruction of negativity, ego, and ignorance.
• Days 4–6 (Lakshmi): Cultivation of inner and outer wealth.
• Days 7–9 (Saraswati): Attainment of divine knowledge and inner peace.

🌼 Navratri Pooja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide):

🌸 Preparation:

• Clean the home and pooja room thoroughly.
• Decorate the altar with flowers, mango leaves, and colorful cloths.
• Place idols or images of Maa Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
• Set up a kalash (sacred pot) filled with water, mango leaves, and a coconut wrapped in red cloth and tied with kalava (sacred thread).

🙏 Day-Wise Pooja Procedure (9 Days)

🌺 Days 1–3: Durga Pooja (Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta)

• Offer red flowers, hibiscus, and sweets.
• Chant:
  “Om Dum Durgayei Namah”
• Recite Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach.
• Light a ghee lamp and offer naivedya (sweets, coconut, jaggery).
• Pray for removal of fear, protection from negativity, and inner strength.

💰 Days 4–6: Lakshmi Pooja (Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani)

• Offer white/yellow flowers, haldi-kumkum, and sweets like kesari, laddoos.
• Chant:
  “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah”
• Recite Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali or Kanakadhara Stotram.
• Light oil lamps in all directions of the house.
• Pray for prosperity, harmony, and divine grace in all actions.

📚 Days 7–9: Saraswati Pooja (Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri)

• Offer white lotus or jasmine flowers, fruits, and naivedya.
• Place books, pens, musical instruments near the goddess for blessings.
• Chant:
  “Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”
• Recite Saraswati Vandana, Saraswati Stotra, or Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala.
• Pray for knowledge, memory, creativity, and clarity of thought.

🎶 Navratri Bhajans and Aarti:

• Perform Aarti daily in morning and evening:
  • “Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali”
  • “Jai Ambe Gauri”
• Offer camphor, incense, and chant with deep bhakti.

🌱 Kanya Poojan (Day 8 or 9):

• Invite nine young girls (Kanyas) to represent the nine forms of the Goddess.
• Wash their feet, offer food (poori, halwa, chana), and give gifts.
• Seek their blessings as divine embodiments of Devi.

🪔 Vijayadashami (Day 10):

• Conclude the Navratri with a grand Aarti and offerings.
• Immerse the kalash or coconut in a river or clean water.
• Begin new learning, spiritual practices, or business ventures — it’s an extremely auspicious day for new beginnings.

🌟 Navratri Colors & Their Symbolism:

🌈 Blessings and Reflections:

“During Navratri, the Devi awakens our inner strength, blesses us with abundance, and illumines our minds with divine wisdom. Let us offer not only flowers and lamps, but also our ego, laziness, and ignorance at her lotus feet. In her grace, we rise victorious and free.” 🌸