Happy Chaitra Navratri 2023: Nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped during Navratri festival. This year it starts on March 22 and culminates on Ram Navami (March 30), respectively
New Delhi: The nine-day Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, is observed in the month of Chaitra, which is dedicated to worshiping the nine avatars of Maa Durga. People observe fast and worship the goddess on these days. Talking about embarking on a journey of self-reflection, worship and fasting, &TV artistes share how the festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. These include Preity Sahay (Kamini) from Doosri Maa, Himani Shivpuri (Katori Amma) from Happu ki Ultan Paltan and Rohitashv Gour (Manmohan Tiwari) from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai.
Preity Sahay in the Kamini essay says, “I am an ardent believer in Goddess Durga. Every day I fold my hands before her and pray for the well-being of my people. I fast for nine days during Chaitra Navratri. It is one of the most divine feelings. I learned about this festival from my grandmother and since then I have been following its rituals religiously. From an early age, I started fasting and praying, which became part of my annual ritual. During these auspicious days I consume kuttu atta, singhara atta, fresh fruits, milk and dry fruits. However, Sabudana kheer is my favorite and I eat it at least once a day. I wish everyone a very happy Navratri.”
Himani Shivpuri in Katori Amma’s essay says, “During Chaitra Navratri, many people fast in North and West India. My mother and grandmother fasted continuously for nine days because it is a time to advance your spiritual practice and call upon the energy of the Mother Goddess or cleanse your body-mind. It used to be nine days of avoiding salt, lentils, onions and garlic. Everything my mother cooked was sattvic. Now I follow the same Navratri rituals and rules that my mother and grandmother taught me. In these years, I realized that fasting is an effective therapy to cleanse our body. When the body is cleansed, the mind becomes calmer and more peaceful due to the deep connection between body and mind. One diya or lamp is also lit during the nine days and I make sure that there is always enough ghee or oil in the diya. Wishing everyone a happy Chaitra Navratri.”
In an essay by Manmohan Tiwari, Rohitashv Gour says, “During these nine days of Chaitra Navratri, I wake up early and do early morning aarti after my bath. After my pooja we offer bhog to Devi Maa in the form of dry fruits and nuts, milk, bananas, mishri or other fruits and fresh flowers. My wife and I are fasting for nine consecutive days and the most important thing in this religious fast is our devotion and purity of heart to the deities. This fast helps us give thanks to the goddess who embodies power, determination, wisdom, strength and purity. The food I consume during my fast is fresh fruits, dry fruits and flour dishes like Kuttu, Singhara and Sabudana. Pray for yourself, your family, your friends and this Navratri. Wishing you all a very Happy Navratri.”
