Maha Navratri 2024: Significance and Puja Muhurat
Maha Navratri is an important Hindu festival that lasts nine nights. It is celebrated in honour of the goddess Durga to mark the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin, which generally occurs in September/October. It involves numerous rituals, cultural programs, and religious ceremonies in India and among Hindus in other parts of the world.
The term ‘Navratri’ is derived from the words ‘Nava’, meaning nine, and ‘ratri’, meaning nights; hence, nine nights are dedicated to worshipping the nine forms or manifestations of the goddess, collectively known as Navadurga.
Every festival day is devoted to a particular aspect of the divine feminine, emphasising strength, devotion, and renewal. The end of Maha Navratri is marked by Dussehra, which symbolises Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon Ravana, which gives another meaning to the festival, emphasising the triumph of good over evil.
Dates for Maha Navratri 2024
| DAY | DATE | EVENT | COLOUR |
| Day 1 | 3rd October, 2024 | Ghatasthapana Maa Shailputri Puja | Yellow |
| Day 2 | 4th October, 2024 | Maa Brahmacharini Puja | Green |
| Day 3 | 5th October, 2024 | Maa Chandraghanta Puja | Grey |
| Day 4 | 6th October, 2024 | Maa Kushmanda Puja | Orange |
| Day 5 | 7th October, 2024 | Maa Skandamata Puja | White |
| Day 6 | 8th October, 2024 | Maa Katyayani Puja | Red |
| Day 7 | 9th October, 2024 | Maa Kaalratri Puja | Royal Blue |
| Day 8 | 10th October, 2024 | Maa Maha Gauri Puja | Pink |
| Day 9 | 11th October, 2024 | Maha Navami | Purple |
| Day 10 | 12th October, 2024 | Vijay Dasami | Peacock Green |
The Origin and Mythology Behind Maha Navratri
Maha Navratri originates in Hindu mythology, where the goddess Durga battles the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura received a boon from Lord Brahma that no one except a woman could kill him. This boon caused him to wreak havoc in the earth, the heavens, and the netherworld realms, where neither gods nor mortals could stand against him. In its wake, the holy trinity of Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, joined together and created the fierce Goddess Durga, the epitome of female power and valour.
The battle between the goddess and Mahishasura was fought for nine nights, which personifies the fight between the forces of the dark and the divine. Mahishasura took many forms to challenge the goddess Durga, but she was able to kill him by striking his heart when he appeared in the form of a buffalo. This victory is considered a conquest of good over evil, and thus, the end of Maha Navratri is observed on the tenth day, called Vijayadashami or Dussehra. On this day, the victory over Mahishasura is remembered, instilling the message of victory of good over evil.
The 9 Incarnations of Goddess Durga
Here are the nine forms of the goddess Durga and their significance:
Goddess Shailputri
Worshipped on the first day, Shailputri, meaning the daughter of the mountains, signifies purity and strength. She rides a bull and is depicted holding a trident and a lotus. It is believed that Goddess Shailputri possesses the combined powers of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The devotees worship the goddess with offerings of pure ghee to be blessed with healthy lives.
Goddess Brahmacharini
The second day of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Brahmacharini. This form is an embodiment of worship and atonement. She is portrayed holding a rudraksha mala and a kamandalu, symbolising goddess Durga’s austere phase. Devotees offer sugar to the goddess for a long life for themselves and their loved ones.
Goddess Chandraghanta
Day three is dedicated to the goddess Chandraghanta, who is depicted as a ten-armed fierce warrior riding a tiger. She has a crescent moon on her forehead, which symbolises beauty and bravery. The goddess is known to banish fear and evil. To seek the blessings of the goddess, the devotees should offer kheer.
Goddess Kushmanda
Worshipped on the fourth day, she is the goddess of creation, depicted with eight hands and riding a lion. Her devotees offer Malpua to the goddess to receive blessings of wisdom.
Goddess Skandamata
On the fifth day, the goddess worshipped is Skandamata. She is the goddess of motherhood and is shown holding her son, Kartikeya, on her lap. She is depicted as sitting on a lotus and having four hands and is considered the goddess of nurturing and protection. The devotees should present bananas to the goddess to get her blessings.
Goddess Katyayani
Worshipped on the sixth day, she is a warrior goddess, symbolising strength and power. She is an embodiment of Shakti and the daughter of Sage Katyayan. The goddess is portrayed with a sword and shield and sitting on a lion. Devotees who seek blessings are advised to offer honey.
Goddess Kaalratri
The seventh day is dedicated to the ferocious form of Durga, the goddess Kaalratri. She symbolises destruction and change. In one of the hands, she has a sword, and in the other, a trident; she has a third eye on the forehead, and it is believed to have the whole world in it. The goddess is associated with the power of dispelling darkness and ignorance. Offering jaggery pleases the goddess.
Goddess Mahagauri
She is celebrated on the eighth day and represents purity and beauty. The goddess holds a Trishul, and she holds a Damru on the other hand. She is depicted as having white skin and is commonly associated with riding a bull, symbolising elegance and calmness. The ideal offering for the goddess is coconut.
Goddess Siddhidatri
On the last day, the goddess Siddhidatri is revered. This form of goddess Durga symbolises the attainment of desire and spiritual enlightenment. She is depicted sitting on a lotus and holding various divine objects, signifying the attainment of powers and accomplishments.
Significance of Ghatasthapana
Ghatasthapana Muhurat
In this rite, a sacred vessel (kalash) containing water is either placed in the mandir of the home or next to the idol of the goddess to represent the divine feminine energy, Shakti. This act symbolises the start of a spiritual journey with the calling of blessings and the cleansing of the environment for the celebration.
- Date: 03rd October, 2024
- Muhurat: 06:23 am – 10:18 am
- Abhijit Muhurat Time: 11:52 am – 12:39 am
Puja Muhurat for Maha Navratri 2024
| EVENT | DATE RANGE | START TIME | END TIME |
| Pratipada Tithi | 03rd-04th October, 2024 | 00:19 – 03rd Oct | 02:58 – 04th Oct |
| Dwitiya Tithi | 04th-05th October, 2024 | 02:58 – 04th Oct | 05:31 – 05th Oct |
| Tritiya Tithi | 05th-06th October, 2024 | 05:31 – 05th Oct | 07:49 – 06th Oct |
| Chaturthi Tithi | 06th-07th October, 2024 | 07:50 – 06th Oct | 09:48 – 07th Oct |
| Panchami Tithi | 07th-08th October, 2024 | 09:48 – 07th Oct | 11:18 – 08th Oct |
| Shashthi Tithi | 08th-09th October, 2024 | 11:18 – 08th Oct | 12:14 – 09th Oct |
| Saptami Tithi | 09th-10th October, 2024 | 12:14 – 09th Oct | 12:32 – 10th Oct |
| Ashtami Tithi | 10th-11th October, 2024 | 12:32 – 10th Oct | 12:07 – 11th Oct |
| Navami Tithi | 11th-12th October, 2024 | 12:07 – 11th Oct | 10:59 – 12th Oct |
| Dashami Tithi | 12th-13th October, 2024 | 10:59 – 12th Oct | 09:09 – 13th Oct |
Puja Ingredients for Navratri 2024
Have all the ingredients on hand for the Navratri Puja a day before the beginning of the festival.
- A picture or idol of the goddess Durga
- Durga Sapthashati book
- Mango leaves
- Red chunri
- Kalava (sacred thread)
- Red cloth
- Gangajal
- Kalash (made of brass, copper, or clay)
- Sandalwood
- Coconut
- Camphor
- Ghee or sesame oil
- Barley seeds
Maha Navratri 2024 is a colourful spiritual and cultural festival of rejuvenation. As devotees gear up to celebrate the win over the wicked by the nine forms of goddess Durga, the essence of this festival echoes in the hearts of millions. On the occasion of this pious time, may the blessings of Maa Durga bring power, wisdom, and prosperity in our lives.