Shardiya Navratri is a festival that is widely observed in Northern and Eastern India. Navratri is a Hindu festival that celebrates nine nights of good vs evil battles, with the good gaining power on the tenth day.
Maa Durga is honored as the deity of power, vitality, and knowledge during this time.
The event lasts nine days and begins the day after Mahalaya Amavasya (the New Moon night that marks the conclusion of the Pitru Paksha, a fortnight dedicated to the deceased ancestors). The event is also known as Sharadiya Navratri since it is held in Ashwin (a month that corresponds to Western September/October) when the autumn season begins. During these nine days, devotees pray to Goddess Durga in her nine forms.
MAA DURGA’S RIDE
Goddess Durga's vahanas for arrival and departure have a special significance. Her vahans, or forms of transportation, are regarded as omens or indicators of success. Elephant, Horse, Palanquin, Boat, or Buffalo is how Maa Durga arrives.
If Navratri begins on Monday or Sunday, Ma Durga will be riding an elephant, according to Devi Bhagwat Purana. The mother arrives on a horse on Saturdays and Tuesdays, and then on Thursdays and Fridays, she arrives on a pallanquin. This year, the Sharad Navratri event will begin on Thursday. This indicates Ma Durga will arrive on a 'doli,' or palanquin, this time.
RITUALS
During the nine nights of worship, Goddess Durga is worshipped as 'Shakti'—the deity of power for the first three days; Lakshmi—the deity of wealth for the next three days; and Saraswati—the deity of knowledge and wisdom for the final three days.Devotees fast during this time and normally eschew grains, onions, meat, and alcohol in their meals. In North India, special Navratri cuisine is prepared for fasting believers.
In Eastern India, Navratri is known as Durga Puja and is the most important festival of the year. During this time, large pandals are created, adorned with light, and other cultural activities are held.The Navratri dance is known as Garba and Dandiya in Gujarat and Maharashtra, where locals dance while wearing traditional clothing and holding dandiya sticks.During Navratri, in Goa special zatras start decorating Saraswat Brahmin temples. Sandalwood paste, kumkum, and new garments and decorations are used to worship the Dasha Maitrikas.On the ninth day, Ayudha Puja is performed in Kerala to bless all of the household tools.
NAVRATRI DATES
October 7- Pratipada Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja
October 8 -Dwitiya Brahmacharini Puja
October 9 -Tritiya and Chaturthi Chandraghanta Puja and Kushmanda Puja
October 10- Panchami Skandamata Puja
October 11-Sashti Katyayani Puja
October 12- Saptami Kalaratri Puja
October 13-Ashtami Maha Gauri Puja
October 14-Navami Siddhidhatri Puja
October 15-Dashami Navratri Parana/Durga Visarjan