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- 3:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Significance or importance of Durga Navratri Puja is mentioned in several Puranas and other scriptures. As every other Hindu festival, Navratri also has some particular reason or factors to celebrate or observe. Hindu culture and way of living was started with Shakti worship. In other sense, every Hindu religious legend is associated with Shakti pooja. Puranas urge that Shakti Puja is the base for Hindu culture and Hinduism. During the time of Navratri, in some places farmers get their yield from farmyards. In those places, Durga Navaratri is celebrated jubilantly. This is the main reason behind grand celebrations of Navaratri in Karnataka and Bengal.
Sharad Navratri – Tridevi Vrata
During Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine different forms. During Navratri pooja, first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of courage, next three days to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and the final three days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Durga Navratri ends with Vijaya Dashami on the tenth day. Navratri festival signifies power, wealth, prosperity and knowledge.
Lakshmi Pooja Significance in Durga Navaratri
As per Hinduism, Goddess Lakshmi is the source of all types of wealth. Lakshmi puja in Navratri days, frees devotes from poverty and all other sorrows and keeps him prosper. Lakshmi is worshipped as Kamala and Maha Laxmi during Navaratri.
Durga Pooja Significance in Sharad Navaratri
The triumph of good over evil is Mahishasura mardhini. Navratri represents the demolition of Mahishasura and Shumbha Nishumbha. Mahishasura is the hidden evilness and Shumbha Nishumbha is the bad behavior of a person. Mother Goddess demolishes the both which means Durga Pooja makes one free from evil thoughts and routes him to the spiritual world. In Eastern states of India particularly Bengal, the last four days of Navratri are observed as Durga Pooja. Durga Pooja is the most celebrated festival in Bengal.
Saraswati Pooja Significance in Sharad Navratri
Saraswati Pooja is observed from seventh day to ninth day during Durga Navaratri. On Saraswati puja day, studies are initiated for children (Vidyaarambh or Vidyabhyasa arambh or Aksharabhyasa). Saraswati Pooja is also observed on Shri Panchami. Other than these three Mother Goddesses, devotees also worship Gayatri, Lalitha, Amba, Jagaddatri, Ashtamatrikas (Eight divine Mothers) and Dasa mahavidya (10 Maha Vidya Goddesses) during Durga Navarartri.
Navratri festival begins on the first day of the bright phase during Ashwin month and ends with Vijaya Dashami. Durga idols are worshipped for nine nights and immersed in water on Dasara.
Three important aspects of life – the power of courage, the power of wealth and the power of knowledge – are provided during Durga Navratri to all the devotees who worship Goddess Shakti. Hence, Durga Navaratri holds the credit of most celebrated festive season.
Gayathri Devi Navratri and Maa Shakambari Devi Navratra - Ashada Navrati or Gupt Navratra
Gayathri Devi Navratri and Maa Shakambari Navratra are observed in the month of Ashada in various parts of India. As this Navratri festival occurs in Ashad maas, this Navratri is also called as Ashada Navratri. Ashad Navratri and Magh Navratri are also called as Gupt Navratras. In 2009, Ashad Navratri festival starts on June 23, Tuesday and concludes on June 30, Tuesday.
Ashada Navratri – Dedicated to Goddess Varahi Devi
Ashada Navratri is very important festival for those who worship Goddess Varahi, one of the Saptha Matrukas (Seven Mothers) who helped Devi in slaying the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.
During Ashad Navratri, Goddess Gayathri Devi is worshipped as the main deity in her Navdurga forms (9 avatars). In some regions Maa Shakambari Devi is worshipped for nine festive nights with utmost devotion. In Viajayawada Kanaka Durga Temple, Badrakali Temple in Warangal (Andhra Pradesh) Shakambari Navratras are celebrated jubilantly. Ashada Navratri are celebrated as Guhya Navratri in Himachal Pradesh.
Four Devi Navratra Festivals
Durga Navratri (Maha Navratri or Sharad Navratri oe Devi Sharan Navratri) is the major festival for Hindus which is observed in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja (Ashwin). All four Navratras (Ashwin Navratri, Vasant Navratra, Ashad Navratri and Magh Navratra) are dedicated to the Mother Goddess Shakti. During every Navratri festival, one thing is similar that Goddess Durga (Navdurga) is worshipped for nine days in her nine forms or manifestations, each day an avatar.