SHARDIYA NAVRATRI 2023 DATE: Shardiya Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and among Hindu communities worldwide. The auspicious festival is observed in the Hindu month of Ashwin, which typically falls in September or October. The festival spans nine nights and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms.
Each form of the goddess is revered during different days of the festival. Shardiya Navratri is set to commence, bringing with it rituals, prayers, and cultural festivities that illuminate the spiritual landscape. The tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, marks the triumph of good over evil, symbolized by the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.
Shardiya Navratri 2023: Start and End Date
This year, Shardiya Navratri is set to begin on Sunday, October 15, and will end on Tuesday, October 24. The Shardiya Navratri 2023 tithi calendar is as follows:
- 15 October (Sunday): Ghatasthapana, Maa Shailputri Puja
- 16 October (Monday): Maa Brahmacharini Puja
- 17 October (Tuesday): Maa Chandraghanta Puja
- 18 October (Wednesday): Maa Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi
- 19 October (Thursday): Maa Skandamata Puja
- 20 October (Friday): Maa Katyayani Puja
- 21 October (Saturday): Maa Kalaratri Puja
- 22 October (Sunday): Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Kanya Puja
- 23 October (Monday): Maha Navami, Maa Siddhidatri puja, Havan
- 24 October (Tuesday): Vijayadashami, Dussehra, Navratri Paran, Durga Visarjan
Navratri 2023: 9 Colours & Significance
- Navratri Day 1 - October 15
On the first day of Navratri, wearing orange brings warmth and positivity, making you feel upbeat. - Day 2 - October 16
Dressing in white on Monday symbolizes purity, granting inner peace and the blessings of the Goddess. - Day 3 - October 17
Tuesday calls for red attire, representing passion and love, filling you with energy and vigour. - Day 4 - October 18
Don royal blue on Wednesday, showcasing elegance and richness as you celebrate Navratri. - Day 5 - October 19
Thursday in yellow radiates optimism and joy, keeping your spirits high. - Day 6 - October 20
Embrace green on Friday, symbolising growth, peace, and new beginnings. - Day 7 - October 21
Choose grey for balanced emotions and an understated style statement during Navratri. - Day 8 - October 22
Sunday’s purple attire signifies luxury and nobility, bestowing blessings of richness and grandeur. - Day 9 - October 23
On the final day, adorn peacock green, embracing uniqueness, compassion, and freshness in this exquisite shade of blue and green.
Shardiya Navratri 2023: Shubh Muhurat
The shubh muhurat for Shardiya Navratri i.e. Pratipada Tithi begins at 11:24 PM on October 14 and the Pratipada Tithi ends at 12:32 AM on October 16.
Navratri 2023: History and Significance
The roots of Shardiya Navratri can be traced back to ancient Indian mythology. It is believed that during this period, Goddess Durga manifested in her nine different forms, each symbolising a facet of feminine power. These nine forms are worshipped during the festival, with each day dedicated to a specific form of the goddess. The festival also commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Navratri 2023: Rituals and Traditions
Shardiya Navratri is characterised by a multitude of rituals and observances that deepen devotees’ connection with the divine. Fasting is a common practice during these nine days, with many individuals abstaining from certain foods and refraining from eating during specific periods. The traditional Navratri Vrat involves consuming simple, sattvic meals. Here are some of the key rituals:
Ghatasthapana
The festival begins with the ritual of Ghatasthapana, where a pot symbolizing Goddess Durga is filled with water and sown with barley seeds. This pot is kept in the puja room and nurtured for nine days until the seeds sprout into small plants, which are considered auspicious.
Durga Puja
Puja ceremonies are conducted throughout the nine days. Devotees perform aarti (prayer) and offer various offerings like flowers, fruits, and sweets to the goddess. Many also observe fasting during Navratri as a form of penance and devotion.
Garba and Dandiya Raas
The evenings of Navratri come alive with energetic and colourful Garba and Dandiya Raas dances. People gather in large groups, dressed in traditional attire, and dance to the rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandiya sticks. These dances celebrate the joyous spirit of the festival.
Kanya Pujan
On the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, young girls are worshipped as incarnations of Goddess Durga in a ritual called Kanya Pujan. They are treated as guests, given special meals, and presented with gifts as a gesture of honour.
Navratri 2023: Puja Vidhi and Vrat Katha
Each day of Shardiya Navratri corresponds to a specific form of Goddess Durga, and devotees perform special prayers and pujas to honour that form. The festival begins with the worship of Goddess Shailputri and concludes with the worship of Goddess Siddhidatri. The Durga Saptashati or the Chandi Path, a scripture narrating the tales of Goddess Durga’s valour, is recited during these nine days.
Shardiya Navratri 2023: Celebration
The festival is celebrated by vibrant and elaborate garba and dandiya raas dances, where people gather in colourful traditional attire to celebrate and dance in honour of the goddess. These dances symbolise the circle of life, unity, and devotion. Pandals (elaborately decorated temporary shrines) are set up, and adorned with statues or images of Goddess Durga. Devotees visit these pandals to offer prayers and seek blessings.
