Shardiya Navratri 2024: Rituals, Significance, and Celebration

Shardiya Navratri 2024: Celebrated for nine nights, Shardiya Navratri, also called Maha Navratri, is a celebration honoring the divine feminine spirit. ‘Nav’ means nine, and ‘Ratri’ means night, hence the word ‘Navratri’.

During this auspicious time, Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine various forms, each of which symbolizes a distinct facet of the goddess. In Hindu tradition, the event is very important because it represents the triumph of justice and the victory of good over evil.

It’s a moment to ponder spiritual matters, show devotion, and ask God for benefits. Invoking the blessings of Goddess Durga and achieving inner strength and purity, devotees participate in a variety of rituals, prayers, and fasting practices during Navratri.

Dates and Timings for Shardiya Navratri 2024

The dates of the Shardiya Navratri 2024 celebrations are Thursday, October 3rd, through Monday, October 14th.

Ghatasthapana: Thursday, October 3rd (between 6:15 AM and 7:22 AM or during Abhijit Muhurat between 11:45 AM and 12:32 PM)

Pratipada Tithi (First Day): Begins October 3rd at 12:18 AM and ends October 4th at 2:57 AM

Dussehra: Monday, October 14th

Also Read: https://speaktoastrologer.com/ganesh-chaturthi-2024-comprehensive-guide/

Significance of Shardiya Navratri 2024

Envision a Hindu celebration that unites people and honors the holy feminine energy! That, after all, is the main focus of Shardiya Navratri 2024. In Hindu mythology, Maa Durga is the embodiment of Shakti, the divine feminine spirit. People worship Maa Durga in all nine of her forms—Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, and Maa Mahagauri—during the nine days of Sharad Navratri. 

However, Maa Durga’s triumph over the demonic Mahishasura adds even more auspicious and potent significance to this occasion. Maa Durga engaged in a nine-day battle, fighting like a true warrior, with the demon Mahishasura, a master shape-shifter. and were successful in killing Mahishasura, bringing peace to the planet, and restoring dharma on the tenth day. For this reason, we commemorate Vijaydashami on the tenth day of Sharad Navratri. During the autumnal festival of Shardiya Navratri 2024, people pray to Maa Saraswati for knowledge and wisdom and Maa Durga for wealth.

Sharadiya Navaratri 2024

1st Day of Navratri (Paratipada)

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024

Other Names of Festival: Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshan, Shailputri Puja

Colour of the Day: White

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Shailputri Namah’

2nd Day of Navratri (Dwitiya)

Date: Friday, October 4, 2024

Other Names of Festival: Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja

Colour of the Day: Red

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Brahmacharini Nama’

3rd Day of Navratri (Tritiya)

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Other Names of Festival:Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej, Chandraghanta Puja

Colour of the Day: Royal Blue

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Chandraghanta Namah’

4th Day of Navratri (Chaturthi)

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024

Other Names of Festival: Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Lakshmi Panchami

Colour of the Day: Yellow

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah’

5th day of Navratri (Panchami)

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Other Names of Festival:Naag Puja, Skandamata Puja, Skanda Sashti

Colour of the Day: Green

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Skandamata Namah’

6th Day of Navratri (Shasthi)

Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Other Names of Festival:Yamuna Chhath, Katyayani Puja

Colour of the Day: Grey

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Katyayani Namaha’

7th Day of Navratri (Saptami)

Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Other Names of Festival:Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja

Colour of the Day: Orange

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Kalratri Namah’

8th Day of Navratri (Ashtami)

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024

Other Names of the Festival: Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Annapurna Ashtami, Sandhi Puja

Colour of the Day: Peacock Green

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Mahagauri Namah’

9th Day of Navratri (Maha Navami)

Date: Friday, October 11, 2024

Other Names of Festival:Navratri Parana, Siddhidatri Puja

Colour of the Day: Pink

Mantra: ‘Om Devi Siddhidatri Namah’

Last Day of Navratri (Vijaya Dashami)

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Other Names of Festival: Dussehra, Durga Visarjan

Last Words

India celebrates Shardiya Navratri 2024, the symbolic celebration of Durga’s nine incarnations, in a variety of ways. Goddess Durga, may you be blessed with good health, happiness, and prosperity during Navratri.