Navratri

Navratri means "nine nights". During these nine nights and days the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. It is a festival of the worship of Shakti. The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) tells the story of the slaying of Mahishasura, which symbolises the victory of good over evil. Navratri is also regarded as a time for self-purification, restraint, fasting and spiritual practice.

Four Navratris are counted in a year: Chaitra (spring), Ashwin or Sharad (the most famous), and the Gupt Navratris of Ashadha and Magha. Chaitra and Sharad Navratri run from Pratipada to Navami of the Shukla Paksha. After Sharad Navratri, Vijayadashami (Dussehra) comes on Dashami, and the end of Chaitra Navratri is linked with Ram Navami. The Navratri dates are given above. If a tithi is lost or repeated, Navratri can also last eight or ten days.

1. Shailputri: daughter of the mountain king Himalaya, the first day 2. Brahmacharini: the goddess of penance and restraint 3. Chandraghanta: the goddess of peace and courage 4. Kushmanda: the creator of the universe 5. Skandamata: mother of Kartikeya (Skanda) 6. Katyayani: daughter of Maharishi Katyayana, slayer of Mahishasura 7. Kalaratri: the destroyer of fear 8. Mahagauri: the form of purity and peace 9. Siddhidatri: the goddess who grants siddhis

• Idol or picture of Maa Durga, a chowki, a red cloth • Kalash (clay or copper), mango leaves, coconut, red chunri, moli • A clay pot, soil and barley seeds for sowing jau • Roli, sandalwood paste, akshat, sindoor, turmeric, kumkum • Red flowers (especially hibiscus), garland • Incense, lamp, camphor, ghee, a large lamp for the Akhand Jyoti • Fruits, sweets, coconut, paan, betel nut, cloves, cardamom • Items of adornment (to offer to the Goddess) • A copy of the Durga Saptashati or the Durga Chalisa • For Kanya Pujan: halwa, puri, black chana, gifts, chunri

1. On Pratipada, bathe in the morning and perform Ghatasthapana (installing the kalash) at an auspicious time. Check the muhurat in the Panchang. Early morning or Abhijit Muhurat is generally considered best. 2. Clean the puja spot, sow barley in the clay pot and place a kalash filled with water on it. Place mango leaves, a coconut and a chunri on the kalash. 3. Install the idol of Maa Durga. Worship Ganesh ji, the kalash and the Navagraha. 4. Take the sankalp and light the Akhand Jyoti (according to tradition). 5. For the nine days, worship the Goddess of the day: offer roli, sandalwood paste, akshat, flowers and bhog. 6. Recite the Durga Saptashati, the Navarna Mantra or the Durga Chalisa. 7. Perform aarti every day. Water the barley daily. 8. On Ashtami or Navami perform havan and Kanya Pujan: feed nine girls (and one boy), wash their feet, apply tilak and give gifts. 9. On Dashami, after the puja, sprinkle the kalash water around the house and immerse the barley in water or put it in plants.

Many people fast for all nine days, or on the first and last day. Fasting food usually includes kuttu or water chestnut flour, sabudana, sama rice, potato, peanuts, fruits, milk, curd and rock salt. Grains, ordinary salt, onion, garlic, meat and alcohol are avoided. Choose a fast that suits your health.

• Gujarat and Rajasthan: nights of garba and dandiya raas. • Bengal, Assam, Odisha: Durga Puja (Shashthi to Dashami), installation of idols in pandals, dhunuchi dance and sindoor khela. • North India: Ramlila, Ghatasthapana and Kanya Pujan. • South India: Golu, a display of dolls, in Tamil Nadu and Andhra. • Maharashtra: Ghatasthapana and daily worship of the Goddess.

• Keep the home and the mind pure. Adopt sattvik food and a disciplined life. • Chant the Goddess's name for nine days and recite the Saptashati or the Chalisa. • Respect girls and keep them happy. • Stay away from anger, lies and slander. • Avoid onion, garlic, meat and alcohol. • Take care of your health while fasting. People who are ill, pregnant or elderly should keep a light fast.