Sharada Navaratri heralds the jubilant celebration of the Hindu mother goddess, Durga. Across nine enchanting nights, devotees worldwide honor the nine divine incarnations of Durga with fervent devotion. One such revered form is Maa Chandraghanta, adorned with a crescent moon adorning her forehead and ten hands holding auspicious weapons and symbols.
Shardiya Navaratri
Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, radiating strength and grace as she symbolizes courage and fortitude. Devotees offer prayers, chant sacred mantras, and adorn her with fragrant flowers, incense, and offerings of sweets. Her divine presence invokes a sense of protection and empowerment, inspiring devotees to overcome obstacles and challenges with resilience and determination.
Most Celebrated of the four Navratri
Shardiya Navaratri is the most celebrated of the four Navaratri, named after Sharada which means autumn. It commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvini. The festival is celebrated for nine nights once every year during this month, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. The exact dates of the festival are determined according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, and sometimes the festival may be held for a day more or a day less depending on the adjustments for sun and moon movements and the leap year. In many regions,
During Sharada Navaratri, the values of courage, resilience, and devotion are exalted, echoing the eternal triumph of righteousness over adversity. Themes of inner strength, spiritual awakening, and the nurturing essence of the divine feminine permeate the festivities, uniting devotees in a harmonious tapestry of faith and celebration.
Shardiya Navaratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with colorful decorations, traditional music, dance performances (such as Garba and Dandiya Raas), and elaborate processions. It is a time for families and communities to come together, share meals, exchange gifts, and strengthen bonds of love and unity.
Navratri Festival in baglamukhi
Shardiya Navaratri is celebrated with great fervor in many temples dedicated to various Hindu deities, including Baglamukhi temples. During this auspicious festival, devotees flock to Baglamukhi temples to offer prayers, perform rituals, and seek the blessings of the goddess. Special pujas and ceremonies are organized, and the temple premises are adorned with decorations and lights. It’s a time of spiritual significance, devotion, and seeking the divine grace of Baglamukhi, especially for those who worship her for protection and victory over obstacles
The festival holds immense significance across India and among Hindu communities worldwide. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, with Goddess Durga representing the embodiment of divine power that triumphs over negativity and injustice. The festival also marks the change of seasons, heralding the onset of autumn and the harvest season in many parts of India.
The Significance of Shardiya Navaratri:
Shardiya Navaratri holds profound spiritual significance, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the victory of light over darkness. It commemorates the divine battle between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, lasting nine days and nights. Each day of Navaratri is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga, representing different aspects of divine energy and power.
Rituals and Observances:
During Shardiya Navaratri, devotees observe rigorous fasting, perform elaborate rituals, and recite sacred hymns and mantras to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga. Special pujas (worship ceremonies) are conducted in temples and homes, offering flowers, incense, and prayers to the goddess. Many devotees also engage in spiritual practices such as meditation, chanting, and introspection to purify the mind, body, and soul.
Overall, Sharada Navaratri is a spiritually enriching and joyous occasion that celebrates the eternal divine feminine and inspires devotees to embrace virtues of courage, righteousness, and devotion
