Navratri is one of the most significant festivals in India, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms.
Of the four Navratris observed throughout the year, Shardiya Navratri is the most prominent and widely celebrated.
It marks the onset of autumn and usually occurs in September or October, depending on the lunar calendar. In 2024, Shardiya Navratri will be celebrated from October 3 to October 12 across India, with unique rituals and traditions varying by region.
What is Shardiya Navratri?
Navratri is a Sanskrit word that means "nine nights" (Nav means nine, and Ratri means nights).
Shardiya Navratri is the most celebrated of the four seasonal Navratris and takes place during the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin, which typically falls in late September to early October.
This period is dedicated to the divine feminine energy, personified as Goddess Durga, and celebrates her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
The festival honors nine forms of Goddess Durga, with each day dedicated to a different manifestation. These goddesses are collectively known as the Navadurga. The ten days of the festival (including Dussehra or Vijayadashami) are marked by fasting, feasting, prayers, dance, music, and devotion.
Dates and Calendar for Shardiya Navratri 2024
The 2024 Shardiya Navratri is set to begin on Thursday, October 3, and will conclude on Saturday, October 12, followed by Vijayadashami or Dussehra on Sunday, October 13.
Here is the detailed day-wise calendar for Shardiya Navratri 2024:
| Date | Day | Navratri Day | Goddess Worshipped |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2024 | Thursday | Day 1: Pratipada | Shailaputri ( Ghatasthapana) |
| October 4, 2024 | Friday | Day 2: Dwitiya | Brahmacharini (Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja) |
| October 5, 2024 | Saturday | Day 3: Tritiya | Chandraghanta (Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja) |
| October 6, 2024 | Sunday | Day 4: Chaturthi | Kushmanda (Vinayaka Chaturthi) |
| October 7, 2024 | Monday | Day 5: Panchami | Skandamata (Skandamata Puja) |
| October 8, 2024 | Tuesday | Day 6: Shashthi | Katyayani (Saraswati Avahan, Katyayani Puja) |
| October 9, 2024 | Wednesday | Day 7: Saptami | Kalaratri (Saraswati Puja, Kalaratri Puja) |
| October 10, 2024 | Thursday | Day 8: Ashtami | Mahagauri |
| October 11, 2024 | Friday | Day 9: Navami | Siddhidatri (Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja Sandhi Puja, Maha Navami) |
| October 12, 2024 | Saturday | Day 10: Dussehra | Victory of Durga, Ravana Dahan (Ayudha Puja, Navami Homa Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan Vijayadashami) |
Significance of Each Day
Each day of Shardiya Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga. Devotees worship each goddess with specific rituals and prayers.
Day 1: Shailaputri (Pratipada) – This day signifies the first manifestation of Goddess Durga. Shailaputri is known as the daughter of the Himalayas. Worshipping her brings stability and strength.
Day 2: Brahmacharini (Dwitiya) – Goddess Brahmacharini signifies the penance and devotion of the goddess. She symbolizes purity, spiritual enlightenment, and renunciation.
Day 3: Chandraghanta (Tritiya) – Chandraghanta embodies bravery and is depicted with a crescent moon on her forehead. She symbolizes courage, peace, and serenity.
Day 4: Kushmanda (Chaturthi) – The name Kushmanda means "creator of the universe." She is said to have created the world with her divine smile, symbolizing creativity and joy.
Day 5: Skandamata (Panchami) – As the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), Skandamata represents motherhood and maternal love. Worshipping her fosters a connection with the motherly aspects of life.
Day 6: Katyayani (Shashthi) – This form of the goddess is associated with courage and fearlessness. Katyayani is the warrior goddess who defeated the demon Mahishasura.
Day 7: Kalaratri (Saptami) – Known as the fiercest form of Durga, Kalaratri symbolizes the destruction of evil forces. She is believed to protect her devotees from harm and evil spirits.
Day 8: Mahagauri (Ashtami) – Mahagauri is the goddess of purity and cleanliness. Worshipping her is said to eliminate all past, present, and future sins, and she blesses her devotees with peace and prosperity.
Day 9: Siddhidatri (Navami) – On the final day of Navratri, Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped. She is the goddess of accomplishment and perfection and is believed to bestow all sorts of spiritual and supernatural powers.
Day 10: Vijayadashami (Dussehra) – The tenth day marks the victory of good over evil. Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura is celebrated, and it is also the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravana. Effigies of Ravana are burnt across India to symbolize the destruction of evil.
Popular Rituals and Practices During Navratri
During Shardiya Navratri, various rituals are performed with great devotion and sincerity. Some of the most common rituals include:
Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana): The festival begins with the installation of a Kalash (a sacred pot) on the first day of Navratri. The Kalash symbolizes prosperity and the goddess’s divine presence. It is filled with water, covered with a coconut, and placed in a sacred space.
Daily Durga Puja: Each day, devotees perform prayers and rituals dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The puja includes offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets.
Fasting: Many devotees observe fasts during Navratri, which involves abstaining from certain foods like grains, meat, and alcohol. Some fast on all nine days, while others observe a fast on the first and last days.
Kanya Pujan: On the eighth or ninth day (Ashtami or Navami), young girls (representing the nine forms of Durga) are invited to homes, worshipped, and fed as a part of the Kanya Puja ritual. This symbolizes the worship of the feminine energy in its purest form.
Dandiya and Garba: In Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra, people celebrate Navratri with traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, performed in colorful attire with lively music and rhythmic beats.
Ravana Dahan (Vijayadashami): On the tenth day, effigies of the demon king Ravana, along with his brothers Meghnad and Kumbhkaran, are burnt to celebrate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolizing the destruction of evil.
How to Observe Shardiya Navratri at Home
If you're planning to celebrate Shardiya Navratri at home, here are a few essential tips to make the most of the festival:
Set up a Puja Space: Dedicate a clean and sacred space in your home to perform daily prayers. You can install a Kalash, place pictures or idols of Goddess Durga, and decorate with flowers and lamps.
Perform Daily Aarti and Chant Mantras: Offer prayers and perform an Aarti (ritual with lighted lamps) twice a day. Chanting Durga Mantras like "Om Dum Durgaye Namah" or reading the Durga Saptashati enhances the spiritual experience.
Observe Fasting: If you're fasting, consume fruits, milk, and special Navratri dishes made with ingredients like buckwheat flour (kuttu), water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), and barnyard millet (samak rice).
Participate in Kanya Puja: On Ashtami or Navami, invite young girls to your home, worship them, and offer food and gifts as a part of the Kanya Puja ritual.
Foods and Fasting Practices During Navratri
Navratri fasting is an integral part of the festival. While some devotees opt for a complete fast, others avoid grains, non-vegetarian foods, and certain vegetables like onions and garlic.
Common Navratri Foods: Kuttu ki roti, sabudana khichdi, aloo tamatar curry, singhare ke pakore, and samak ke chawal are some of the popular dishes consumed during Navratri.
Fasting Rules: Fasting during Navratri involves consuming only "Satvik" (pure) food. These foods are light and promote spiritual well-being.
Conclusion Shardiya Navratri 2024 promises to be a time of devotion, celebration, and reflection. Whether you observe the festival with traditional rituals or modern practices, the essence of Navratri remains in honoring the divine feminine and embracing the power of good over evil.