2023 Shardiya Navratri | Ashwina Navratri
Navratri is a nine days festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. Navratri is a Sanskrit word which literally means nine nights. During these nine nights and ten days, Goddess Durga is worshipped in 9 different forms, known as Navdurga. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed into the water body.
Navratri is celebrated in most Indian states. However Navratri is very popular festival in the western states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and the southern state of Karnataka. On the very first day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is invoked into a Kalash with full Vedic rituals along with chanting of Mantras. The invocation and dwelling of Goddess Durga into the Kalash is known as Ghatasthapana or Kalashsthapana and is done at an appropriate time of the day.
In West Bengal Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja. In West Bengal, Goddess Durga is worshipped on the last three days of Navratri and these three days are famously known as Durga Saptami, Durga Ashtami and Durga Navami. It would be correct to say that Durga Puja in West Bengal is a smaller version of 9 days Navratri. Kalparambha and Bilva Nimantran during Durga Puja, which is done on the sixth day of Navratri, is symbolically same as Ghatasthapana or Kalashsthapana in other states.
Navratri is celebrated for nine consecutive nights and begins on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. In 2023, Navratri will commence on October 15th and conclude on October 24th. The festival culminates on the tenth day, known as Dussehra or Vijayadashami.
Hindu religious books suggest 7 days Navratri, 5 days Navratri, 3 days Navratri, 2 days Navratri or even 1 day Navratri as an alternative to 9 days Navratri.
Jyoti Kalash, Kumari Puja, Sandhi Puja, Navami Homa, Lalitha Vrat and Chandi Path are other famous rituals and events which are observed during the 9 days of Navratri.
Navtari 2023, Tithi and Muhurat :
The specific tithis and muhurats are crucial aspects of Navratri celebration. Here is a list of the importent tithis and muhurats for Navratri 2023:
Pratipada (First Day) : October 15, 2023 (Sunday)
Ghatasthapana, Maa Shailputri Puja.
Dwitiya (Second Day) : October 16, 2023 (Monday)
Maa Brahmacharini Puja.
Tritiya (Third Day) : October 17, 2023 (Tuesday)
Maa Chandraghanta Puja
Chaturthi (Forth Day) : October 18, 2023 (Wednesday)
Maa Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Panchami (Fifth Day) : October 19, 2023 (Thursday)
Maa Skandamata Puja.
Sasthi (Sixth Day) : October 20, 2023 (Friday)
Maa Katyayani Puja.
Saptami (Seventh Day) : October 21, 2023 (Saturday)
Maa Kalaratri Puja.
Asthami (Eighth Day) : October 22, 2023 (Sunday)
Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Kanya Puja.
Navami (Ninth Day) : October 23, 2023 (Monday)
Maha Navami, Maa Siddhidatri puja, Havan.
Vijay Dashami (Tenth Day) : October 24, 2023 (Tuesday)
Vijayadashami, Dussehra, Navratri Paran, Durga Visarjan.
Shardiya Navratri 2023: Shubh Muhurat
The shubh muhurat for Shardiya Navratri i.e. Pratipada Tithi begins at 11:24 PM on October 14 and the Pratipada Tithi ends at 12:32 AM on October 16.
Shardiya Navratri 2023: Celebration
The festival is celebrated by vibrant and elaborate garba and dandiya raas dances, where people gather in colorful traditional attire to celebrate and dance in honour of the goddess. These dances symbolise the circle of life, unity, and devotion. Pandals (elaborately decorated temporary shrines) are set up, and adorned with statues or images of Goddess Durga. Devotees visit these pandals to offer prayers and seek blessings.
BENGALEN wishing you and your family a very happy Navratri.
