Navratri 2019: Date, Puja Timings, Significance Of The Nine-Day Long Festival

Navratri is just around the corner with thousands of devotees gearing up to welcome goddess Durga. Every year, the auspicious festival is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm across India. As per the Hindu calendar, Navratri is celebrated four times in a year – Sharad Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Magha Gupt Navratri and Ashadha Gupt Navratri. The one which falls in the month of September or October is called Sharad Navratri and it is one of the most celebrated one. It is also known as Maha Navratri.

Significance of Navratri: Navratri is celebrated across the country to commemorate Goddess Durga’s win over the demon Mahishasura and it signifies the victory of goodwill, peace and dharma over evil. 

Date and Muhurat: This year, the festivities will begin from September 29. On the first day, devotees perform the ritual of Ghatasthapana, marking the beginning of the nine-day festivities. During Ghatasthapana, a kalash is installed which is immersed in water during the tenth day.

Ghatasthapana is done during a certain period of time and the muhurat for this year is between 6:13 am to 7:40 am on September 29. Ghatasthapana can also be done during the Abhijit muhurat, which is from 11:47 am to 12:35 pm on the same day.

How is Navratri celebrated?

Goddess Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri are worshipped each day respectively during this nine day long festival. The days are marked with fasting, performing dandiya and garba in honour if the goddess. Devotees also bring idols of Goddess Durga at pandals and perform puja, after which it is immersed in water.