Sharad Navratri 2023: Nine Nights and Nine Incarnations of Maa Durga
Sharad Navratri begins on the first day of the lunar month Ashwin and ends on the tenth day of the lunar month Ashwin. This festival honours Maa Durga and is celebrated with great devotion. It is also known as Durga Puja and is celebrated mostly in Northern and Eastern India.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ram revered the holy goddess to fight and destroy the Demon King Lord Raavan. He was a symbol of good triumphing over bad.
The tenth day is known as ‘VIJAYADASHAMI’ or ‘DUSSEHRA’. Sharad Navratri is observed during the Ashwin month, which marks the start of the winter season.
People perform Navratri in their homes or temples dedicated to various embodiments of Goddess Durga during the festival of Navratri. For nine days, mantra chanting, bhajan recitals, and shloka recitals follow the Navratri rituals.
The Significance of Nine days of Sharad Navratri and Rituals
Here is the significance of nine days of the Shardiya Navratri 2023. Also, the rituals to be performed to appease NavDurga.
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Day 1: Maa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri is Maa Durga’s first incarnation, and she represents the planet, Moon.
Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini
Maa Durga’s second form, Maa Brahmacharini, is in charge of the planet Mars. If worshipped with complete dedication, it is possible to remove all adverse effects.
Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta
Maa Durga’s third form, Maa Chandraghanta, rules the planet Venus and bestows courage.
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Day 4: Maa Kushmanda
Maa Durga’s fourth incarnation, Maa Kushmanda, reflects the planet Sun and protects the future by removing negative energy.
Day 5: Maa Skandamata
Maa Durga’s fifth form, Maa Skandamata, rules the planet Mercury and has a warm heart for her devotees.
Day 6: Maa Katyayani
Maa Durga’s sixth form, Maa Katyayani, is in charge of Jupiter. Her devotees benefit from her courage and determination.
Day 7: Maa Kaalratri
Maa Durga’s seventh form, Maa Kaalratri, rules Saturn and represents courage.
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Day 8: Maa Mahagauri
The divine ruler of planet Rahu, Maa Mahagauri, is the eighth aspect of Maa Durga and pacifies harmful effects and negative energies.
Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri
Maa Durga’s ninth form, Maa Siddhidatri, rules the planet Ketu and bestows wisdom and knowledge.
Celebrations of Sharadiya Navaratri 2022
Worshipping nine goddesses during Navratri, stage decorations, recital of the legend, live dramas and enactment of the plot, and chanting Hindu scriptures are all part of the festivities. The nine days also serve as a significant crop harvesting season followed by cultural events, competitions for pandal design, and stage decoration. People love to visit these pandals, and they perform puja each day till Dashmi.
Apart from pandal hopping, people enjoy various activities, including classical songs and folk dances. The statues are submerged in a water body, like a river or ocean, on the final day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. The statue symbolising evil is burned with fireworks, and its symbolised death. The festival also kicks off the countdown to one of the most popular and commonly observed holidays, Diwali, or the festival of lights, which falls twenty days after Sharad Navratri.
Dates and Muhurat Timings of Sharad Navratri Puja Vidhi
Navratri is said to occur four times a year in Hindu scriptures such as the Shakta and Vaishnava Puranas. By the way, Navratri occurs in the light half of the Hindu lunisolar months in all cases. However, the Hindus’ imagination and tastes are left to the fore in their celebrations, which differ by area.
The most well-known of the four Navaratris is Sharadiya Navratri, named after Sharada, which means autumn. It falls in the lunar month of Ashvin (September–October, post-monsoon). The festival occurs after the autumn harvest in certain areas and during the harvest in others.
Sharada Navaratri is a post-monsoon autumn festival dedicated to the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festivity is celebrated in the country and the globe as well. The festival is held in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which corresponds to September and October in the Gregorian calendar.
1st Day of Navratri (Paratipada)
- Date: 15 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival: Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshan, Shailputri Puja
- Colour of the Day: White
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Shailputri Namah’
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2nd Day of Navratri (Dwitiya)
- Date:16 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival: Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja
- Colour of the Day: Red
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Brahmacharini Nama’
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3rd Day of Navratri (Tritiya)
- Date: 17 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej, Chandraghanta Puja
- Colour of the Day: Royal Blue
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Chandraghanta Namah’
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4th Day of Navratri (Chaturthi)
- Date:18 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Lakshmi Panchami
- Colour of the Day: Yellow
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah’
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5th day of Navratri (Panchami)
- Date:19 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Naag Puja, Skandamata Puja, Skanda Sashti
- Colour of the Day: Green
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Skandamata Namah’
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6th Day of Navratri (Shasthi)
- Date:20 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Yamuna Chhath, Katyayani Puja
- Colour of the Day: Grey
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Katyayani Namaha’
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7th Day of Navratri (Saptami)
- Date:21 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja
- Colour of the Day: Orange
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Kalratri Namah’
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8th Day of Navratri (Ashtami)
- Date:22 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Annapurna Ashtami, Sandhi Puja
- Colour of the Day: Peacock Green
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Mahagauri Namah’
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9th Day of Navratri (Maha Navami)
- Date: 23 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Navratri Parana, Siddhidatri Puja
- Colour of the Day: Pink
- Mantra: ‘Om Devi Siddhidatri Namah’
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Last Day of Navratri (Vijaya Dashami)
- Date: 24 October 2023
- Other Names of Festival:Dussehra, Durga Visarjan
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Final Thoughts
Sharadiya Navratri, the symbolic celebration of nine incarnations of Durga is worshipped all over India in a different style. May this Navratri, Goddess Durga bless you with good health, happiness, and prosperity.
Apart from the blessings of Maa Durga, you also have the support of astrology. Talk to astrologers for guidance. First consultation with 100% Cashback.