Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga, and she is worshipped as the prime Goddess. The festivity goes on for nine nights, and hence it is named Navaratri. Vasant Navaratri occurs in the Spring season and is celebrated twice a year. This festivity is more common in the Northern parts of India.
How is Vasant Navratri Celebrated?
The Navaratri festival happens for nine nights which are considered the holiest nights of the year. During these nights, the Supreme power increases, and the demons set back. Hence it is always an auspicious time to heighten one’s spirituality and make progress.
In Vasant Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped, and along with her, two other avatars are also worshipped: Goddess Laxmi and Saraswathi. During the Vasant Navaratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped for the first three days. The next three days are dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, and the last three days, Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped.
During the Navaratri, people observe fast for nine days. Some also observe the fast on the first and last day of Navaratri if they are not capable for all nine days. During fasting, people only consume Sattvic food or Vrat-friendly foods.
These are the days when people abstain from all non-vegetarian food items. It is advised that they employ only positive thoughts and do not indulge in fights and such violence.
Rituals of Vasant Navratri
To start with the rituals, people install a pot on the first day. This pot is considered sacred; the rituals end up with Kanya Pooja which happens on the eighth day. During Kanya Pooja, women of a house invite young girls to have a feast at their homes.
The meal is prepared and served to the girls. These girls represent Goddess Durga during the Navaratri, and hence it is a must practice inviting little girls. People consider that when they serve these girls, they bless the household, and the blessings are considered equivalent to the blessings of Goddess Durga on the occasion of Navaratri.
Devotees worship different avatars of Durga for these nine days. They chant the mantras, read the holy books, and sing her divine songs. They worship her with a ghee lamp, offer her flowers fresh food, and sing the Arti.
Worship of Nine Forms of Shakti – Nava Durga
Below are the nine mantras that devotees can chant each on every new day. Every mantra is dedicated to an avatar of the Goddess.
Chaitra Navratri day 1: ||Om Hreem Shri Shailaputri Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 2: ||Om Hreem Shri Brahmacharini Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 3: ||Om Hreem Shri Chandra Ghanta Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 4: ||Om Hreem Shri Kushmanda Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 5: ||Om Hreem Shri Skanda Mata Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 6: ||Om Hreem Shri Katyayani Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 7: ||Om Hreem Shri Kaala Ratri Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 8: ||Om Hreem Shri Maha Gauri Durgaaye Namaha||
Chaitra Navratri day 9: ||Om Hreem Shri Siddhidatri Durgaaye Namaha||
Observe the Vrat this Vasant Navaratri and purify your body and cleanse your mind with the grace of Maa Durga.
