There are 2 special Navratris celebrated every year. Sharad Navratri during the month of Ashwin (September/October) – this is the most important Navratri. The second is Chaitra Navratri during the Hindu month of Chaitra. The last day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navami the birth anniversary of Lord Rama.

“Chaitra means the beginning of a New Year. So the New Year begins with nine days of turning inwards; prayer, meditation, and chanting. Recognizing the Divinity in the whole creation, and enlivening that aspect“

–Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

It is said that worshipping the Goddess with love and devotion during these 9 days is supposed to be one of the best remedy for all the 9 planets.

As the world is combating the Corona Virus (Covid-19) it is important for all of us to come together and pray to Goddess Durga during these 9 days.

During the next 9 days, most of the world is on lockdown and this period are crucial to deciding the future plan of action. So let’s go deep within ourselves and offer our sincere prayers to Goddess Durga. She has the power to protect humanity from calamity.

The Sanskrit meaning for Durga is a place that is protected and cannot be reached by evil forces. The word Durga also means invincible, unbeatable and undefeated.
She is considered to be the combined forms of Goddess Kali, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi.
Devi Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardini which translates to slayer of a mighty evil buffalo demon called Mahishasur, which represents tamo-guna, the dark quality of inertia, ignorance, and laziness.

Chaitra Navratri begins on 24th March in USA and on 25th March in India.

For local timings and for the details related to the worship of the form of Goddess and mantras download the align27 app.

You can tap the link below for a write up about every aspect of Devi Durga in detail.

  1. Pratipada Tithi Day 1 – Shailaputri (March 24/25)
  2. Dwitiya Tithi Day 2 – Brahmacharini (March 25/26)
  3. Tritiya Tithi Day 3 – Chandraghanta ((March 26/27)
  4. Chathurthi Tithi Day 4 – Kushmanda (March 27/28)
  5. Panchami Tithi Day 5 – Skandamata (March 28/29)
  6. Shashti Tithi Day 6 – Katyayani (March 29/30)
  7. Saptami Tithi Day 7 – Kalaratri (March 30/31)
  8. Ashtami Tithi Day 8 – Mahagauri (March 31/April 1)
  9. Navami Tithi Day 9 – Siddhidhatri (April 1/2)

Offerings

After you finish your mantra chanting, offer the following to Goddess Durga with utmost love and devotion.

  1. Shailaputri – Ghee
  2. Brahmacharini – Sugar and Fruits
  3. Chandraghanta – Milk and Kheer
  4. Kushmanda – Malpua
  5. Skandamata – Bananas
  6. Katyayani – Honey
  7. Kalaratri – Jaggery
  8. Mahagauri – Coconuts
  9. Siddhidhatri – Sesame Seeds

For personalized navratri rituals download the align27 app.