Navratri 2020:Why is Navratri celebrated? What is the Significance of Worshipping 9 form of Goddesses and What Sweets/Bhog should be offered on Navratri?, Written By-Rashmi Vajpayee
Navratri celebrated twice a year, the first Navratri that falls in March or April is known as Chaitra Navratri and the second Navratri is known as Shardiya Navratri. Shardiya Navratri 2020 starts tomorrow from Saturday, October 17th which will run till 25 October 2020. Navratri or the nine sacred days — mark the most auspicious days according to Hinduism. Nine different forms of Durga Maa are worshiped during the nine days of Navratri. Devotees get blessings by worshiping 9 different forms of Goddess every single day; most devotees fasting for nine days during Navratri.
What is Navratri and Why is it celebrated?
Navratri means Nine Nights here Nava means nine, and Ratri means night. The legend associated with Navratri tells about the fierce battle between the powerful devil Mahisasura and Goddess Durga. When Lord Vishnu chose to create a woman to conquer Mahisasura because as per Lord Brahma’s boon, only a woman can defeat the devil.
Mahisasura beat the Trilok-earth, heaven, and hell. Later the three great Powers-Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva)-formed Goddess Durga; she battled with Mahisasura for fifteen long days. It was a conflict that thrilled the Trilok-earth, heaven, and hell. Throughout the fight, the clever Mahisasura had changed his form to distract his opponent- Goddess Durga. Finally, when the devil took the form of a buffalo, the Goddess Durga stabbed his chest with her ‘Trishul’, destroying him immediately at that moment. Every year, on all days of Navratri, the embodiment of “Goddess Durga” is worshipped to glorify the day of her winning over Mahisasura and the ultimate supremacy of ‘Good over Evil.”
Significance of Worshipping 9 form of Goddesses and What Sweets/Bhog should be offered on Navratri?
Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. Goddess Parvati is the child of Himalaya, the mountain. In Sanskrit, Shail indicates the mountain and therefore she is also identified as Shailputri. Shailputri drives a bull, carrying a Trishul in her right hand and lotus in the left hand.
Sweets/Bhog- Devotees offer Pure Desi Ghee or Sweets made of Ghee to Shailputri. The offering of pure ghee is believed to bestow the devotee with a life free of sickness and diseases.
Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. Parvati got Shiva through hard penance and her unmarried self is worshipped as Brahmacharini. Here the goddess walks bare feet and a Jap mala and a Kamandal can be seen in her hands.
Sweets/Bhog- Goddess Brahmacharini is a lover of simple food and offerings. Devotees serve a bhog of sugar and fruits or Singhade ke atte ka halwa or kacche kele ki barfi to Goddess Brahmacharini.
Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on Tritiya. Chandraghanta’s name derives from the fact that after marrying Lord Shiva she started adorning half Chandra (moon) on her forehead. The Goddess rides a tiger.
·Sweets/Bhog- Goddess Chandraghanta is pleased by offering milk, sweets, or kheer.
4)Kushmanda-
On the fourth day, Devi Kushmanda is worshipped. Kushmanda is the creator of the universe, Goddess Kushmanda is the creator of the universe, she is also identified as the goddess who has the energy and skill to live inside the Sun. The Goddess has eight hands and sits on a lion.
·Sweets/Bhog-Devotees worships the Goddess by observing fasts and offering Malpua as bhog.
5)Skandamata-
Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on Panchami (5th day). Kartikeya is also known as Skanda and she is the mother of Skanda that is why the Goddess is called Skandamata. She rides a fierce lion along with the baby in one of her hands. The Goddess has four hands.
·Sweets/Bhog- Bhog of banana is offered to the goddess and it is believed to bless the devotees with good health.
6)Katyayani-
Katyayani is worshipped on the 6th day of Navratri. Goddess Katyayani is the warrior; she is regarded as one of the most powerful forms of Goddess Parvati. The goddess was born to Rishi Katya which is why she is known as Katyayani. In this avatar, the Devi rides a lion and has four hands.
· Sweets/Bhog- Devotees offer as to Goddess Katyayani. She blessed her devotees with prosperity and enable them to fight with troubles.
On Saptami (7th day), Devi Kalratri is worshipped. According to the Legends she forgoes her skin color and embraces a dark complexion as black to kill demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. The goddess Riding a donkey and has four hands.
·Sweets/Bhog-Devotees offer Jaggery or sweets made with Jaggery to Goddess Kalratri.
Mahagauri is worshipped on Ashtami or the 8th day. Mahagauri indicates extremely fair/white (Maha expressing great and Gauri indicating white. The name signifies that Parvati had fair skin. The Goddess drives a bull and has four hands.
Sweets/Bhog- Mahagauri is offered Coconut as bhog by devotees. It is believed that donating Coconuts to the Brahmins on Ashtami, blesses a childless couple with a baby.
Ninth day of the festival also known as Navami, devotees worship to Devi Siddhidatri. Those who are completely devoted to the Siddhidatri will be blessed with all kinds of Siddhis that is why she is called Siddhidatri. The Goddess has four hands, sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all type of Siddhis.
Sweets/Bhog — On the ninth day of Navratri, devotees observe a fast and offer or sesame seeds or dishes like halwa, Puri, and Chana as bhog. The goddess protects the devotees from adverse accidents.
