Navratri is one of the much-awaited and celebrated festivals in India. This festival that lasts for 9 nights and 10 days is celebrated from the first day of Shukla Paksha of the Ashvin month of the Hindu calendar. Although Navratri comes four times in a year, Sharada Navratri is celebrated with utmost devotion and fervour. It falls during the September-October months as per the Gregorian calendar.
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Goddess Durga is worshipped through these nine days. Navratri holds great importance in the Hindu religion. Each day is dedicated to worshipping a manifestation of the Goddess.
Navratri starts on 29 September this year and the ninth day will be on 7 October 2019. The tenth day concludes Navratri with Dussehra/Vijayadashami.
Navratri is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India. In northern parts of India, devotees observe fasts throughout these nine days and conclude it by performing Havan and perform the Kanjak Puja.
In West Bengal, the festival is known as Durga Puja or Durgotsava. Elaborate idols of Goddess Durga and other deities are installed in extravagant pandals and these are immersed in water on the tenth day. Various types of delicacies are prepared on the occasion of Durga Puja.
Sharada Navratri is celebrated to mark Goddess Durga’s victory over a demon called Mahishasura.
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- Pratipada (Day 1): Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the first day.
- Dwitiya (Day 2): Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day.
- Tritiya (Day 3): Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day.
- Chaturthi (Day 4): Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on this day.
- Panchami (Day 5): Goddess Skandamata s worshipped on the fifth day.
- Shashthi (Day 6): Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on this day.
- Saptami (Day 7): Goddess Kalratri is worshipped on this day.
- Ashtami (Day 8): Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on this day.
- Navami (Day 9): Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the final day. A Havan is performed to conclude the festival.
- Dashami (Day 10): This day is celebrated as Dussehra/Vijayadashami.
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