In many parts of India, Navratri is celebrated in a variety of ways, including building up stages, praying, practising pooja, staging plays about gods, immersing idols, preparing food, fasting, and lighting bonfires. Even in Nepal, Navratri is observed as Dasain, a family occasion, and homecoming festival. Besides religion, the Navratri festival represents the eradication of evil from our life and the beginning of a road of dharma. Navratri is a festival of nine days, and after Navratri ends on the 10th day, the Dasara festival is celebrated.
Why is Navratri celebrated?
Navratri is a celebration of how good won over evil on Earth. When evil gets in the way of Dharma, people believe that God will show up in a new way to protect all of us from evil. The Dussehra festival is held on the tenth day of Navratri in the north and west of India. It is a celebration of Lord Ram’s victory over the ten-headed rakshasa Ravana, which he did by killing him, and of the end of evil on earth. In the eastern regions of India, Navratri is known as Durga Pooja or Vijayadashami festival, where Goddess Durga fights the buffalo-headed Demon Mahishasur and beats him.
Navratri 2022 dates
Navratri is an after-monsoon fall celebration known as Shraddha Navratri, which celebrates the Gods’ triumph over evil. Shardiya Navratri starts on September 26th and concludes on October 5th; the holiday season is quickly approaching. All around the nation, worshippers celebrate the Vijayadashami festival, Durga Puja, and Dussehra with tremendous zeal and passion. Shardiya Navratri begins on the Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin, as per the Hindu calendar. During this nine-day event, nine incarnations of the goddess Durga are venerated. The holiday of the Dussehra Festival is observed on Dashami.
Further, you must Book pandit Ji for Navratri puja earlier to save yourself from the last-minute hassle.
Importance of the Navratri Puja
The nine-day celebration known as Navratri Puja is conducted in honour of Goddess Durga, who is regarded as Maa AdhyaShakti, also known as The Universal Mother. During the nine days of Navratri, all of the nine incarnations of the goddess Shakti are honoured with a series of rituals that call upon her majesty and beseech her to shower us with her favour and benevolence. Shailputri is said to be the first manifestation of Shakti and is worshipped on the very first day.
After this, future days are spent calling upon Brahmacharini, Kushmanda, Chandreghata, Katyayani, Skandmata, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. This process continues until the ninth day. In the ancient manuscripts of the Rig Veda, one may discover references to the festival of Navratri as well as tributes to the devotional sadhanas of Shakti. These praises are known as Devi-sukta, Ratri-sukta, and Usha-sukta. During the beautiful fortnight of Chaitra, which coincides with the commencement of solar influence & a warmer environment, the Chaitra Navratri festival is held on the very first day of Ashwani.
Final Thought
You can’t do any kind of puja without a Pandit. But Pandit Ji’s or Priests have busy schedules and are in very high demand these days. So, if you don’t talk about it earlier, you might not have anyone to pray with on the day of puja. Hence, keeping that in mind, make sure to book Pandit Ji for Navratri puja.