Author – Padmaja Vangala
Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Gurubhoy Namaha
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha
Chaitra Navratri 2022
Chaitra navratri commences from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in spring season and lasts for nine days. This year it is named Shubhakrutha and Shakti is riding a horse on Saturday which is not good for the political scenario and may lead to war. It is the first month, the first Navaratri, and Ugadi is the first festival of the Hindu Calendar.
This navratri is said to be Vasanth Navratri, Vishnu Navaratri and Rama Navratri. It starts with Navaratri and Ugadi and ends with Sri Rama Navami or Srirama Jayanti. In this month Sun transit from Pisces to Aries is known as Mesha Sankranti which is the first Zodiac sign.
Lord Brahma created the universe on the first day of Navaratri. The 4th of April is Matsya Jayanthi. It is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu the first avatar in Satya Yug. When Vedas is taken by a demon and kept undersea, then Lord Vishnu as Matsya Avatar brought Vedas and handed over to Brahma for creation.
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Mahakaal Samhita explained the importance of Four Navaratri. One is Chaitra Navratri, Ashada Navratri, Ashwin navratri and Magha Navratri. But there are Narasimha Navratri in Vaishaka, Sharada Navratri in Ashwin, and Shakambari Navratri In Pushya month. One should know why Navaratri is performed with reason. Vedavyas Rushi explains in Devi Puran Spring and Autumn seasons are difficult in times.
These seasons develop diseases that lead to the death of the human race. To prevent and curtail the death rate during these seasons perform Devi Navratri in Chaitra and Ashwin months.
In Devi Bhagavatam Rushi Vedvyas described the importance of Navaratri and how to perform pooja and sadhana with the blessings of a well-versed person. Maa Durga is worshipped in nine forms and with five elements like Ashwin Navaratri.
In some places like Ayodhya Lord Rama is also worshipped for nine days. First day is Pratipada followed by Kalasha Sthapana or Ghata Sthapana. It is prepared with a copper or brass pot filled with water or rice, five types of holy stems ie. Mango, Black plum (,Jumbu) wood apple, Bhel, and Bhijora nimbu stems or edible pan are placed with wet or dry coconut.
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Then akanda deepam is arranged with ghee or oil for nine days. Another is developing Navadhanya in an earthen pot for nine days. Performing abhishekam on the first day and pooja thrice a day with all varieties of scented flowers and naivaidyam. Perform pooja of Devi in Morning as Bala a small child, afternoon as a young woman, and in the evening elderly woman. Reciting Durga Sapthashati and performing Chandi havan for nine days.
Lastly perform Dasamahavidya sadhana or any Shakti sadhana with one or five or nine persons to complete Navaratri Pooja. Nakta Vratam is observed for nine days which means eating Kichidi made of rice and moongdal at the night for nine days.
Reciting Ramayana or Rama mantra or Taraka mantra or Veda parayana is also auspicious. Mauva Tree is considered Jagadamba and the tree is honoured with Sumangali Pooja.
Maa Durga is worshipped as Shailaputri, Brahmacharini. Chandraghanta. Kushmanda, Skandamata. Katyayani, Kalaratri and Mahagauri as Trishakti of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswathi. Every day after pooja and arathi Suvasini pooja or sumangali pooja is performed which is worshipping a married woman as manifestation of Shakti.
Similarly, Kumari pooja an unmarried woman before puberty aged between 2 years to 10 years as Navakanya is worshipped for nine days. One year baby girl is not qualified for Kanya Pooja. Each Kanya is having a respective name.
| 2 years | Kumari |
| 3 years | Trimurti |
| 4 years | Kalyani |
| 5 years | Rohini |
| 6 years | Kalika |
| 7 years | Chandika |
| 8 years | Shambavi |
| 9 years | Kanka Durga |
| 10 years | Subhadra |
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Pratipada is Kalasha Sthapana, Divtiya is Balachandra pooja offering woven thread to Lord Chandra to get knowledge and wisdom. Some follow on Tritya thiti also. On Tritya is Sowbhagya teej performing pooja and offers five types of sweets to Parvati and Parameshwar for happy martial relations.Irrespective of the cast perform the pooja of Suvasini and Kanya. Apply Mehndi and offer food, Clothes. Oranments, and Dakshin. Annadanam to brahman Pandits and devotees is auspicious for 9 days.
Chaturthi is Nagachavithi, Matsya Jayanthi and Dolautsav are observed. Panchami is Lakshmi Pooja for prosperity. Shastri is Subramanya Pooja for children’s good health. Saptami is Maha Saptami Saraswati and Kanya Pooja for education. Ashtami is Durga Pooja or Chandi Havan for health and wealth. Navami is Maha Navami is Suvasini Pooja Srirama Jayanthi, Tara Jayanthi and Shirdi Saibaba Jayanthi.
Navaratri Pooja is observed depending on one ability. If one cannot perform pooja for nine days at least perform on Asthami thiti. If nothing is possible visit the temple pray and take the blessings of Maa Durga. Visualisation of pooja, participating, and supporting also removes misfortune and miserability which results in good health and success in life.
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