Shardiya Navratri
Explaining Shardiya Navratri Festival
In India, people with domestic life celebrate two types of Navratri festivals; one which falls in the month of Chaitra called Chaitra Navratri, and the other one that falls on Ashwini month is called Shardiya Navratri.
Interestingly, there are also two other Navratri festivals which fall on Pausha and Ashadha called Gupt Navratri.
Gupt Navratri involves a celebratory ritual consisting of Tantra Sadhana (like recitation of Devi mantras, performing yajnas and other rites). Hence, for people with family and domestic life, Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri are recommended festivals, as both forms of Navratri involve the celebration of all the nine divine forms of goddess Durga. The significance of Shardiya Navratri is that any devotee who worships Maa Durga religiously can witness their wishful desires manifested in reality.
Significance Of Shardiya Navratri
Like Chaitra Navratri, Shardiya Navratri also is a nine-day festival dedicated to the goddess Durga.
On this auspicious day, staunch devotees worship and offer their gratitude to the deity for making their life divinely blessed and prosperous. All the nine divine forms of goddess Durga are respectively worshipped each day during Shardiya Navratri.
People who don’t know how to perform Durga Pujan are advised to hire an erudite Vedic priest to have the puja performed religiously under the priest’s supervision. It is believed that the sanctity of Durga pujan holds great religious importance, as completion of the same pleases goddess Durga immensely, thus giving plenty of benefits to the devotees, such as peace, happiness, prosperity, etc.
Experience the Divine: Book Your Durga Puja Celebration Today!
Reasons For Celebrating Shardiya Navratri
During a pitched battle between goddess Durga and demon king, Mahishasura, Devi Durga happened to slay the demon on the tenth day of the battle. It is therefore this reason that all the nine days of Navratri are dedicated to worshipping the mighty and invincible form of Devi Durga.
Since Ashwini is a month signalling the arrival of winter, therefore, it is called Shardiya Navratri. The tenth day of the festival is also called Vijayadashami.
The Difference Between Chaitra Navratri And Shardiya Navratri Festivals –
- Chaitra Navratri focuses on the significance of observing rigorous rituals and fasting, whereas Shardiya Navratri involves spiritual worship of goddess Durga and reverence paid to the deity through dance, devotional songs, and performing other religious rites.
- There follows Ram Navami at the end of Chaitra Navratri, whereas there follows Maha Navami on the final day of Shardiya Navratri.
- Chaitra Navratri is believed to be a festival that strengthens one’s mental power, whereas Shardiya Navratri fulfils one’s worldly wishes.
Benefits Of Worshipping Goddess Durga On Shardiya Navratri –
- One attains success in one’s pursuit, such as in career or business.
- It removes evil influence in one’s life.
- Peace, happiness and prosperity dwell in one’s life.
- The divine power of Mata Durga protects devotees from harmful planetary doshas.
- Shardiya Navratri puja helps devotees fulfil all temporal desires.
Conclusion
Shardiya Navratri, like other forms of Navratri festivals, is religious observance dedicated to the goddess Durga. With widespread popularity all over India, the festival involves devotees paying reverential regard and honour to Mata Durga, who protects them from harmful cosmic influences, and obstacles, and blesses them with peace, happiness, and prosperity in their life. The festival of Shardiya Navratri has its unmistakable divine charm that can be felt in the heart of every devotee of the goddess Durga.
Must Read:
Ashadha Gupt Navratri and Navratri Durga Puja
