Oct 11,2024
Navratri, the vibrant festival to honour Goddess Durga, has begun, and like every year, devotees celebrate the nine auspicious days with a great deal of love and devotion. This year, Shardiya Navratri commenced on October 3 and will conclude on October 12. Observances of this festival include fasting, celebrations throughout the night and social events like garba.
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Navratri emphasises dedication and a sense of community, with devotees participating in numerous rituals and customs to worship the goddess in all of her forms. The festivities conclude on the tenth day with Dussehra (or Vijayadashami), an important event that symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
The ninth day of Navratri, Maha Navami, is devoted to Goddess Durga’s ninth form, Maa Siddhidatri. Goddess Durga, also called Mahisasuramardini, is believed to have killed demon Mahishasura on this day.
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Goddess Siddhidatri is represented as one of the most glorious of Navadurga, dressed in a red saree and riding a lion. Her four hands contain a Lotus, a Shankha, a chakra and a hammer.
Siddhidatri is a combination of the words Siddhi and Datri, which denote the supplier of supernatural power. It is said that worshipping Goddess Siddhidatri on Navami bestows several siddhis upon devotees.
Maa Siddhidatri is regarded as the source of mystical and meditation abilities. Purple is the colour linked with this day; it represents grandeur, majesty and wealth. Wearing purple while worshipping Navdurga is thought to give wealth, opulence and spiritual vigour to those who do so.
One of the most significant days of Durga Puja is Maha Navami. Kanya Pujan marks the end of the puja ceremonies, which start with the Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Pujas.
On this day, nine young girls are worshipped as Navdurga as part of the Kanya Puja. Devotees wash their feet, while their foreheads are decked with tilak. In addition, they receive money and gifts, and are offered puris, halwa and black chana as bhog.
The following day marks Maa Durga’s Visarjan, which is also observed with pomp and fervour, particularly in West Bengal as it is the last day of Durga Puja. Devotees carry adorned idols of Mother Goddess on their heads, bidding her farewell and inviting her again for the next year.
According to Drik Panchang, here are the auspicious timings for the day 9 of Navratri. This year, the ninth day falls on October 11.
Goddess Siddhidatri is the creator of all siddhis and owns all eight Ashtasiddhis – Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakyamya, Inshitva and Vashitva. Worshipping the goddess stimulates the Sahasrara Chakra, commonly known as the Crown Chakra of the body. According to Hindu inscriptions, she bestows fortune and salvation on her ardent devotees.
Yellow fruits like bananas and flowers, especially yellow roses, are considered Maa Siddhidatri’s favourites. She’s also particularly fond of sweets. On this day, devotees present Goddess Siddhidatri with coconuts, kheer and panchamrit.
This is the day when those who are fasting for Navratri break their fast by offering nine little girls traditional meals like Poori, Sooji Halwa and Sukha Kala Chana. This tradition is termed as Kanya Pujan or Kanjak.
The nine girls represent the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Brahmacharini, Andraghanta, Sailaputri, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Kusamanda, Skandamata, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
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