ABCD of Navratri 2016

What is Navratra?

There are four junctures in a year during the movement of earth around Sun. Two main Navratras fall during the junctures taking place around the months of March and September- October. There is a high possibility of the contagious disease caused by harmful germs in this time. The numbers of diseases increase when changes in the climate occur during these junctures. So the process of staying healthy, keeping body clean and the mind in order is named Navratra.

Navratri: Nine Nights or Nine Days

From the night of new moon (Amavasya) to the eighth day (ashtami) or from the first day of the fortnight (padva) to the navmi) afternoon, fasting with other rules and rituals go on for nine nights that justify the name of the festival “Navratra”. Nights are counted here usually, that’s why it is called Navratra.

Why Nine Only?

These nine days, starting from the first day to the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Ashwin, have a ruling deity for each day depicting nine different forms of Goddess Durga or vital energy inhabiting in the metaphorical fort with nine doors signifying the human body. The nine forms of Goddess Durga are known as Shailputri, Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyaini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhatri. They are also related with nine herbs or with nine things associated with fasts, which are used in Navratra - Kuttu (Shailaan), milk-curd, chaulai (chandraghanta), petha (kushmanda), shyamak chawal (skandmata), green vegetable (katyaini), black pepper and tulsi (kaalratri), sabudana (mahagauri), amla (siddhiratri). These are nine natural eatables used while fasting, which are found in jungles.

When the fast cannot be observed

Fast means resolution, pledge or vow. If one cannot keep the fast because of one’s hectic routine or of his body conditions, one can observe the fast for 9, 7, 5, 3 or just for a single day as per one’s own accord. If it is not possible to keep the fast for even one day, then at least try to avoid misuse of body doorways or senses. For example, restrict your tongue and do not overeat, do not listen bad things, do not backbite or complain, keep righteous vision, eat food, sleep and bath on time, do not force yourself to restrict call of the nature, and abstain from flirting, romance and sexual relations during this time. Or at least leave two habits during these days. To finish the fasting, Ashtami or Navmi is decided according to the family tradition. According to “Bhavishyottara Purana” and “Devi Bhagwat”, a family which has sons or who want a baby boy should finish their fasts on Navmi. The importance of Ashtami, Navami and Chaudas, which comes after four days of Dussehra have been described in Durga Saptashati too.

When one is not able to feed kanya during Navratri

It is considered pious to offer food or gifts to girls by increasing a girl every day or, if possible, offer food to nine girls and a boy daily during Navratra. To feed nine kanyas (little girls) on Ashtami or Navmi once is believed to be of medium kind of ritual. Those people who live alone or because of busy schedule can’t feed girls according to the custom, they can offer readymade food items as well as things like: comb, hair band, cream, oil, mirror, copy, pencil, toys, utencils, cloths, toffies, sweets, fruits, flowers and money and any other useful thing to little girls.

What to do for special votive?