On Navratri, which starts on Sunday, September 2019, it will be time to welcome the healing touch of the divine feminine in our lives. The nine nights of the Goddess are dedicated to nine forms of the Goddess Durga who eradicate the internal demons faced by humanity in its march towards evolution and perfection.
Navratri tells us to look at darkness in a different way. It is the darkness of a mother’s womb – full of rest, recuperation, rejuvenation and transformation. On these nine nights, we turn inwards, detoxifying our mind and body of impurities accumulated in the course of worldly lives. It is often believed that the pujas and sadhnas performed during Navratri are meant solely for material gain. While material gain is one of the many blessings showered by the Goddess, it is the first stroke of a grander picture. In the fullness of Her kindness, the Goddess purifies her devotees and paves the way for their transformation into the divine. No puja, sadhna or spiritual practice is complete without the blessings of the mother.
Those who take shelter of the Mother Goddess are advised to do so for the flowering of their full potential. Pujas and mantras of the Goddess aid in this process. Devotees read the Durga Saptashati, which tells the story of Durga’s battle with the demons (external and internal) at this time. It is considered especially fruitful to recite the Navarna mantra of the Goddess for the combined blessings of Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kali and Chamunda during these nine nights.
The festival culminates with Vijaya Dashami, which will be celebrated on October 8. The nine forms revered over nine days are:
Day 1: Shailaputri
Day 2: Brahmacharini
Day 3: Chandraghanta
Day 4: Kushmanda
Day 5: Skand Mata
Day 6: Katyayani
Day 7: Kalratri
Day 8: Maha Gauri
Day 9: Siddhidatri
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