Navratri where Nav means ‘Nine’ and Ratri Means ‘Night’ also known as Durga Puja in some of the regions of India. Navratri is a holy festival for the Hindu religion which is practised every year annually. This year, Navratri began on 13th April 2021 (Tuesday) and will end on 21st April 2021 (Wednesday).
Navratri 2020 Navami Muhurat Puja Vidhi
Navratri is a nine days religious festival where devotees worship Maa Durga and her nine forms which she took to exterminate the demon ‘Mahishasura’. These days’ devotees show their admiration and affection towards Maa Durga by practising prayers and fasting.
Significance of the Auspicious Festival
Navratri is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil; it is associated with the prominent battle between Goddess Durga and Demon Mahishasura. They battled for nine days and on 10th day Goddess Durga with her intelligence and bravery won the battle by killing Mahishasura. These nine days celebration shows the nine avatars (forms) she took for defeating the demon and therefore each day is related to Goddess Durga.
Nine Mantras for Each Form of Goddess Durga:
Navratri is a nine nights and ten days holy festival for Hindus where each day is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. These are:
Shailputri
Day one is devoted to Goddess Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain), the embodiment of Goddess Parvati. Goddess Shailputri is portrayed as riding the bull (Nandi) with a lotus and trishula on her hands.
Colour of the day: Red
Mantras for Day one are:
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारुढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhitlabhay Chandrardhkritshekhram.
Vrisharudham Shuldharam Shailputri Yashswinim.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Shailaputri Durgaaye Namaha
Brahmacharini
Day two is devoted to Goddess Brahmacharini (another form of Goddess Parvati when she became Sati). She is portrayed as bare feet while carrying a Kamandal and Japmala in her hands. She describes peace and calmness.
Colour of the day: Royal Blue
Mantras for Day Two are:
दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Dadhanakara Padmabhyam akshamala kamandalam,
Devi prasidathu mayi rahmacharinya nuththama.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Brahmacharini Durgaaye Namaha
Chandraghanta
Day three is devoted to Goddess Chandraghanta. She is the symbol of bravery. She is portrayed as ten armed Goddess who is roaring in anger. She wears Half-moon on her forehead, which in Hindi is known as ‘Chandra’ and that’s why she is known as Chandraghanta.
Colour of the day: Yellow
Mantras for Day Three are:
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसीदम तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।
Pindaj Pravrarudha Chandkpasrkaryuta,
Prasidam Tanute Mahyam Chandrghnteti Vishruta.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Chandraghanta Durgaaye Namaha
Kushmanda
Day four is devoted to Goddess Kushmanda. In Hindus mythology, she is believed to bring light in the universe with her smile. She is portrayed as siting on the Tiger and has eight arms. She describes flora and fauna on earth.
Colour of the day: Green
Mantras for Day Four are:
वन्दे वांछित कामार्थे चंद्रार्घ्कृत शेखराम| सिंहरुढ़ा अष्टभुजा कुष्मांडा यशस्वनिम ||
Vande Vance hit Kamarthe Chandrarghkrit Shekhram,
Singhrudha Ashtbhuja Kushmanda Yashswini.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Kushmanda Durgaaye Namaha
Skandmata
Day five is devoted to Goddess Skandmata who is the mother of Skanda. She is portrayed as having four hands holding lotus, bell, kamandalu and little kartikay on her lap while riding on Lion. She describes strength as well as serene.
Colour of the day: Grey
Mantras for Day Five are:
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया| शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी||
Sinhasangata nityam padmashritkardvya,
Shubhdastu sada Devi Skandmata Yashswini.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Skandmata Durgaaye Namaha
Katyayani
Day six is devoted to Goddess Katyani an embodiment of Goddess Durga. She is portrayed as having four hands and riding on the lion. She describes bravery as she is considered one of the most violent and vicious forms of Goddess.
Colour of the day is: Orange
Mantras for Day Six are:
स्वर्णाआज्ञा चक्र स्थितां षष्टम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्। वराभीत करां षगपदधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि॥
Swarnagya chakra sthitam shashtam Durga Trinetram,
Varabhit Karam shadgpadmdharam katyayansutam Bhajami.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Katyani Durgaaye Namaha
Kalratri
Day seven is devoted to Goddess Kalratri .She is portrayed riding on donkey and carrying a sword, a noose and a trident, having four arms and three eyes on her forehead.
Colour of the day: White
Mantras for Day Seven are:
करालवंदना धोरां मुक्तकेशी चतुर्भुजाम्। कालरात्रिं करालिंका दिव्यां विद्युतमाला विभूषिताम॥
Karalvadnam ghoram muktkeshi chaturbhjam,
Kaal Ratrim karalikaam divyam vidyutmala vibhushitam.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Kalratri Durgaaye Namaha
Mahagauri
Day eight is devoted to Goddess Mahagauri, the Goddess of Intelligence, Peace and Freedom. She is portrayed as riding on a bull or a white elephant and having four arms, carrying Trishul and a Damru . She describes hope.
Colour of the day: Pink
Mantras for Day Eight are:
पूर्णन्दु निभां गौरी सोमचक्रस्थितां अष्टमं महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥
Prudhandu nibham Gauri somchakrstithaam ashtam Maha Gauri trinetram,
Varabhitikaraam Trishul Damrudharam Maha Gauri bhajem.
Or
Om Hreem Shree Mahagauri Durgaaye Namaha
Sidhidatri
Day nine is devoted to Goddess Sidhidatri also known as Saraswati Devi, who is known for guidance of knowledge and intelligence. She is portrayed as four armed deity who is sitting on a lotus, holding mace, discus, lotus and a book. She describes nature’s beauty.
Colour of the day: Sky Blue
Mantras for Day Nine are:
स्वर्णावर्णा निर्वाणचक्रस्थितां नवम् दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।शख, चक्र, गदा, पदम, धरां सिद्धीदात्री भजेम्॥
Swarnavarna Nirvanchakrsthitam Navam Durga Trinetram,
Shankh , Gada , Padm Dharam Siddhi Datri Bhajhemyaham
Or
Om Hreem Shree Sidhidatri Durgaaye Namaha
