on 8 months ago
Sharad Navratri 2023: Date, Time Puja Vidhi & Significance
Sharad Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga. It spans nine nights and ten days and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across India. Here's some information about Sharad Navratri 2023:
Dates: Sharad Navratri 2023 is expected to begin on Friday, September 22, and conclude on Sunday, October 1.
Significance: This festival celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to one of the nine forms or manifestations of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga.
Puja Vidhi (Worship Ritual):
Devotees typically wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
They perform a Kalash Sthapana, which involves installing a pot filled with water and sacred items.
The goddess is invoked with mantras, and prayers are offered.
Fasting is common during Navratri, and many people choose to consume only specific foods or eat one meal a day.
The evenings are marked by traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, where devotees gather to celebrate.
Colors of Navratri: Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific color, and devotees wear clothes of that color to pay homage to the goddess. The colors for each day are:
Day 1: Grey
Day 2: Orange
Day 3: White
Day 4: Red
Day 5: Royal Blue
Day 6: Yellow
Day 7: Green
Day 8: Peacock Green
Day 9: Purple
Navratri Prasadam: Special dishes and sweets are prepared as offerings to the goddess and then distributed among devotees as Prasadam. Some common Navratri dishes include Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu Ki Puri, Singhara Halwa, and fruit salads.
Sharad Navratri is not just a religious festival but also a cultural celebration, bringing people together to dance, sing, and express their devotion to the goddess Durga. It's a time of great joy, fasting, prayers, and celebrations that continue for nine consecutive nights, culminating in Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which marks the triumph of good over evil.