📜 Significance:
Navratri, meaning “nine nights,” is a sacred festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine energy (Shakti) in her three main forms – Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati. In Maharashtra, it is celebrated with great devotion, marking spiritual renewal, protection from negativity, and invoking blessings for health, wealth, and wisdom.
Each day is devoted to one form or avatar of the Goddess, and rituals vary across the nine days. The festival usually ends with Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra), symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
🗓️ When It’s Performed:
- Sharad Navratri (main celebration) – Occurs during Ashwin month (Sept–Oct)
- Chaitra Navratri – Celebrated in March–April
- Performed daily for 9 days, preferably during Sandhya Kal (evening) or morning hours
🛐 Who Can Perform:
- Individuals, families, especially women devotees
- Performed at home or in temples with the help of a Panditji
- Can also be performed collectively in groups or communities (सार्वजनिक नवरात्र उत्सव)
📦 Puja Samagri (Items Required):
- Murti/photo of Maa Durga / Lakshmi / Saraswati
- Kalash (filled with water and mango leaves with coconut)
- Haldi, kumkum, sindoor, sandalwood paste
- Fresh flowers, garlands
- Diya (earthen lamp), agarbatti, camphor
- Fruits, sweets, dry fruits
- Panchamrit, betel leaves, supari, rice, paan
- Navratri bhog like poha, sabudana khichdi, puran poli (fast-friendly)
- For Kanya Puja (on Ashtami/Navami): Gifts, halwa-puri, bangles, red dupattas
🕯️ Main Rituals (Per Day):
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): Kalash sthapana, invoking the goddess
- Daily puja and aarti with chants/mantras of that day’s Devi form
- Offering flowers, food, prayers
- Fasting or eating only satvik food
- Kanya Puja on 8th or 9th day (worshipping young girls as forms of Devi)
- Saraswati Avahan (Days 7–9): Books, pens, and musical instruments are placed before Goddess Saraswati for blessings
- Visarjan / Udyapan on Vijayadashami
⏳ Duration of Daily Puja:
Approx. 30 to 60 minutes depending on ritual detail
🎁 Benefits of Navratri Pooja:
- Removes negative energy and purifies the mind and soul
- Brings peace, strength, and victory over difficulties
- Enhances wealth, wisdom, and spiritual power
- Ideal time to begin learning, art, music, or studies (Saraswati Puja)
- Encourages devotion, discipline, and self-control through fasting and prayers
