What is Navaratri?

Navaratri 2025: What is Navaratri and why is it celebrated? Celebrating the advent of the Divine Mother (Maa Durga or Devi) marks the celebration of Navaratri. For 9 nights, the belief is that Devi descends to earth and her divine energy and presence is accessible every devotee, making it the most powerful time to intensify sadhana. [WATCH | Navaratri, Vidyarambam and Kollur Mookambika Temple]

What is the moral of Navaratri?

The triumph of goodness over evil is the moral of Navaratri.

Why do we celebrate Navaratri?

We celebrate Navaratri to worship, revere and honour the presence of the 9 forms of the Divine Mother in our midst.

What is the logic behind Navaratri?

The logic is to honour and revere the Divine Feminine force, which is worshipped as Shakti in Indian households.

What is the theme of Navaratri?

Worshipping the Divine Feminine force or Shakti marks the theme of Navaratri.

Why is fasting done during Navaratri?

Inner cleansing is the purpose of Navaratri sadhana and fasting.

What are the dos and don'ts in Navaratri vrat?

Invoke the blessings of your Kul Devata and Grama Devata. Chant or listen to Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya daily. You can also chant Saundarya Lahari or Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam throughout Navaratri.

What food is healthy for Navaratri?

Eat vegetarian food which is light. Avoid oily, dense, heavy food.

What is the daily prasad for Navaratri?

As per Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam, Devi is pleased by the following:

a glass of milk (boiled and cooled) with sugar
aval and malar
kheer or payasam
white pongal
jaggery based kheer or pongal, sweet desserts such as nei appam or unni appam
turmeric rice
lemon rice
tamarind rice
curd rice
a small bowl of honey
pomengranates infused with honey
bananas infused with honey

Remember, Devi is not impressed by elaborate rituals or feasts - it is your Bhaki and Prema that pleases her.

What should not be done in Navaratri?

Focus on strengthening your sadhana and intensifying your own divine energy.

Avoid eating non-vegetarian food. Avoid gossiping about others. Speak gently.

Do not disrespect women and the elderly people. Be kind and gentle to people.

What is the concept of the 9 days of Navaratri?

Celebrating the 9 divine forms of the Divine Mother marks the essence of Navaratri celebrations.

What happens during the nine days of Navaratri?

During the nine days of Navaratri, there are celebrations across the country. Each region celebrates according to their beliefs. Durga Puja pandals are magnificently decorated across the country. The most festive Navaratri celebrations are usually held in Bengal. In the last two decades, the Navaratri celebrations have been multiplying across housing and residential colonies everywhere, with music and cultural programs throughout the night.

The best way to benefit from the Navaratri celebrations is to adhere to your daily sadhana, intensify you prayers with a good intent for self-growth and well-being of your family. Loud music, dance and boisterous celebrations are not ideal for those who want to intensify sadhana and want to seek spiritual growth.

What are the rules of Navaratri?

Daily worship of Divine Mother is essential
Listening or chanting Lalitha Sahasranama is highly beneficial
Eat sathwic food which is prepared at home
Observe Navaratri fast for best and fastest results
Ensure your intent is pure and good when doing Devi Sadhana
Avoid non-vegetarian food
As Devi's energy is best experienced in the night, pray during 9 nights

Can we wear black on Navaratri?

No. While black is not banned, the colour is not recommended for your own well-being as it is believed to absorb negative aura and intensify negative vibes.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba teaches, "Regard your heart as a radio receiver. Your concentration is the tuning device. You will experience the Divine when you tune your heart properly. This calls for firm, unwavering concentration."

Comments

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [ Connect with Svara on Facebook ] [Read: Vidyarambham - The Labyrinth Within] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. At what time should we light diya today? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. An ideal time would be to light the diya at least half an hour before sunset. Can we light diya after 12 PM? In Hindu homes, the diya is lit early morning at around sunrise and towards evening sunset. Can ...

Do you have a List? I don't!

The wise people in my life have always advised me to be organized and making lists is the best way to get started. However, I don’t make lists and when I do, I lose them somewhere and end up spending more time and effort searching for it and finally, it leads me to tears. [Image: Pixabay] Before marriage, I never understood the value of time. My father's formula was 'Time is God' but I didn't understand it. Of course, watching MTV and reading books and wandering out with friends is how I spent most of my time. Now, I realize that if I had been more time-conscious, there is so much that I would love to do with my time. I have a lot of shortcomings as a person but I am very proud about the fact that I work very hard at everything that I do and I utilize my every hour of every day an...

Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room. [READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku ] [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay] Why Did My Lamp Suddenly Turn Off? Where there is faith, there should be no scope for fear - this is Bhagawan Krishna's message to Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. That represents strength of Bhakti. [READ: Bhakti: Meera's Greatest Wealth] Consider another example in the tradition of Bhakti. When Prahlada, a young lad, is targeted by his own father, he remains calm under every situation. When he is thrown into the sea, the wise lad is reminded that the sea is the abode of Shriman Narayana. [ READ: Amazing Stories of Lord Shiva ] H...

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: Meaning, Benefit of Chanting and Who can Chant the Mantra

Mahadmrityunjaya Mantra: Benefit of chanting this mantra There are very few mantras that are as powerful as the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Do read my post: Does Mahamrityunajaya mantra really work? Mahamrityunjaya mantra is believed to have the power to remove all sufferings, diseases and bestow the one who chants it with good health and long life. It is also believed that constant contemplation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra can help spiritual aspirants to overcome the cycle of birth and death. Also read: The Power of OM and Dark Night of the Soul What got me fascinated about this mantra is something personal. I learned this mantra from my father but it is my maternal grandmother who chanted it all the time and repeatedly told me of its tremendous power to protect. However, I did not chant this mantra regularly. At the age of two, my son was taught some mantras by my mother who explained what it means to him and he became very...

Petals!

Search This Blog