The preparation for Navratri starts with cleaning and dusting the temple and removing all the clutter from the house. Decor of the temple as well as home is an integral part of the Festival. Satvik lifestyle is instructed to switch to by not even keeping onion and garlic at home. The first thing done at least a few days before is removing or finishing onion or Garlic in the kitchen of the home. Consumption of meat and other non-vegetarian foods like egg, chicken, ham, beef, etc are must to stay away from during the Festival. Therefore along with gathering items of veneration or Puja, various kinds of lifestyle changes are to be made as a part of the preparation of Navratri. In this blog let’s decode preparations for Navratri all over India.
Getting Started
Decoration for Navratri- The basic idea for decor is to have a serene environment at home conducive to Navratri Puja. Primarily, every corner of the house is cleaned completely especially the temple area of the home. The new curtain of the temple, new cloth to be put on the chowki of Mata Rani, Torans on gates of home, buying new flowers and garland daily, lighting around Mandir, appealing fragrance, etc gives the aesthetic look to the temple.
Gifts for Kanya Pujan- Procure blessings from all nine forms of Durga, one sure shot way is to get some gifts for Kanya invited for Kanya Pujan. You may find a variety of things available in markets, though the distribution of money, lunch boxes, pencil boxes, stationeries, and eatables are highly observed. A few people also give dresses, socks, etc. to Kanya.
Items you must keep for Navratri Puja in your temple- Though Durga Maa appreciates the unfiltered devotion of her devotees, here are a few inexpensive things that must be purchased while preparing for the puja of Navratri. Cloves (Laung), Barley (Jyon), Camphor (Kapur), Panch Meva (any 5 dry fruits), Rice, Kamal Gatta, Sacred red thread (Moli), Red Chunni for Maa Durga, Coconut, Ghee, fruits and flowers. Here are a few basic ingredients for Navratri Puja that must be present in a house during these auspicious 9 days.
Attires for Navratri- In Gujarat, women wear ghagra-choli during the celebration with silver and antique jewelry. Whereas Gujrati men either wear Kurta Pajama, Nehru jacket, Dhoti, or their traditional Kediyu and Chorno with Turban. In Bengal women wear famous Taant cotton and silk sarees, whereas men are dressed in Kurta and Dhoti. The elementary idea is to wear clean and stainless clothes during Puja. Fabrics made of animal skin like leather must be avoided.
Satvik Bhojan for fasting and non-fasting people- The kitchen is stored with fruits and potatoes, but dana, Singhade ka atta (flour), Kuttu ka atta, and dry fruits for those fasting since wheat, rice, and pulses aren’t allowed. Likewise, spices like Senda Namak and Black pepper are used for food for fasting. Those not fasting must also adhere to the satvik lifestyle by giving up meat, eggs, and liquor at least for these nine days of Navratri.
Festivities Importance of Navratri
Navratri is one of the few important festivals of Hindu religion which is celebrated twice in every year. Every festival has ethics to educate society as every festival is celebrated for a reason. Festivals are iconic moments in the past that are worth celebrating. Navratri acquaints human beings to be on the right side of the road of Karma because those who walk on the road of misdeeds, like demons, end up with a dead end at the road. The social message by this Sacred Festival is that good will always succeeds and evil will always get defeated. It also incorporates the sense of unity and integrity amongst the Hindus or whoever practices Navratri Puja.
Families worship together and the bond of love are nurtured by the festivities of Navratri. Durga Puja fosters the cultural wealth and communal inclusivity. The vibrant and dazzling streets, Durga pandals, and embellished temples may be seen across the country. Nava Durga Homan eradicates the obstacles in peace, abundance and provides tranquillity for highest state of harmony and happiness.
Also Browse: Worship Goddess Durga in Navratri
Few frequently asked Questions about Navratri
Q1- How to keep akhand jyot or eternal flame for long?
Ans- To make sure that the diya is lit for all nine days of Navratri, first of all, take a size metal diya from the market. Instead of cotton use the pious red thread which is also called mouli in the dia. Knit the thread properly and keeps on pouring ghee from time to time.
Q2- Which is the important Maa Durga path that should be chanted on all days of Navratri?
Ans– Durga Shaptshati Path is chanted on all days of the Festival. It has 13 chapters which may either be read on one day or may be read as per convenience, but should be started on the first day and must end on Navami or Dashmi.
Q3- Mention the sole Durga mantra that should be recited during Navratri Pujan.
Ans- “Om Aaim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Vichche” is the chief mantra which may be enchanted a minimum of 108 times, 1008 times or as many times one desires a day during Navratri.
Q4- Who were the other demons killed by Maa Durga apart from Mahishasur?
Ans– Rakt beeza, Shumbh and Nishumbh were the three demons who were also killed by Maa Durga.
Q5- How many Kanya should be called during Kanya Pujan?
Ans- Navratri is all about worshipping nine incarnations of Maa Durga, and that is why nine Kanya pujas should be done with each kanya representing one form of Goddess.
Q6 What is the right method of Puja during Navratri?
Ans– During Navratri, after taking a bath and wearing clean clothes do the kalash sthapana on a chowki or stool covered with red cotton cloth. Offer two cloves, supari, five dry fruits, and ghee to the flame of camphor along with sprinkling a few drops over it. After that start the Durga Saptshati or other Paths of Durga. Spend the whole day in Upasna or good deeds. Do not utter anything wrong for anyone.
Q7 What should be done with Barley that is grown on the first day of Navratri?
Ans– The practice of barley sown is done to attract abundance, wealth, and prosperity. The length of barley is used to determine the degree of prosperity. On the last day, they are submerged in flowing water bodies like rivers. During autumn Navratri, few are kept for Dussehra as sisters place them on the ear of their brother while praying for their safety and opulence.
Q8 Any special instructions for married couples during Navratri?
Ans- Couples must maintain celibacy throughout the Navratri.
Know how to celebrate nine days of Navratri with the Astrologers at Ask Ganesha who are always buckled to assist you all in leading a blissful jaunt of life with the blessings of Maa Durga.
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