When is Navratri 2024? History, Significance, Facts, Celebration and all you need to know

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Navratri, the 9 nights of Maa Durga , her power, her wisdom, her protection, and her divine energy, is a festival celebrated all over India, and by Hindus abroad. There is love and cheer in the air, and also calm and peace in the heart as people know that Maa Durga is looking over them.

Navratri is the symbol of victory over evil, and evidence that no matter how powerful evil gets, there will always be a positive force to win over and save the world.

Navratri 2024

According to Drik Panchang, “Ashwin Ghatasthapana Thursday, October 3, 2024
Ghatasthapana Muhurta -From 06:15 A.M. 07:22 AM
Duration -01 hour 06 minutes
Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurta -From 11:46 A.M. 12:33 PM

Duration -00 hours 47 minutes

The auspicious time for Ghatasthapana is on the Pratipada date. Ghatasthapana Muhurat is during the dual-natured Virgo ascendant.
Pratipada date starts -October 03, 2024 at 12:18 AM
Pratipada date ends -October 04, 2024 at 02:58 AM”
According to elders and priests, Navratri will start on October 3, 2024, and end on October 12, 2024.

History, significance, and celebrating Navratri

The origins of Navratri go back to the time when the demon Mahishasura was wrecking havoc on the world, and became extremely egoistic over his power and strength. It is said that he got a boon that no one will be able to defeat him, no man, no God, but only a woman!
And so, he started tormenting the heaven, earth, and the underworld, and none of the gods could stop him.

So, Lord Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu came together to create Maa Durga, the woman who was destined to defeat the demon. The battle between Maa Durga and Mahishasura lasted nine days and nights, and finally ended on the tenth day, the day of Vijaydashmi.

When we talk about significance, Maa Durga is the all-powerful. She is a fierce protector, a loving mother, full of wisdom and grace, and her 9 avatars represent a quality for everyone in the world. For Hindus all over the world, Navratri is not just 9 days of cheer and festivities, but also the days and nights when they feel closer to Maa Durga, feel her energy all around, and spread love and kindness.

The 9 forms of Maa Durga

The 9 nights of Navratri are for the 9 forms of Maa Durga. From the daughter of the mountains, to the mother of Lord Kartikeya, the Navdurga are loved, feared, and worshipped by all. And the 9 forms are - Maa Shailputri, the daughter of the mountains. Maa Brahmacharini, the ascetic form of Maa Durga. Maa Chandraghanta, the one who wears a crescent moon and is always courageous. Maa Kushmanda, the creator of the Universe. Maa Skandamata, who is considered to be the mother of Lord Kartikeya. Maa Katyayani, one of the most fierce forms of Maa Durga. Maa Kaalratri, the one who destroys ignorance and darkness. Maa Mahagauri, who is the symbol of purity and serenity, and Maa Siddhidatri, the one who gives ‘Siddhis’, or knowledge and wisdom.

The cultural celebrations

All over India, people have different ways to honour Maa Durga and celebrate Navratri. For example, in the Northern parts of the country people celebrate by praying to the Goddess, keeping fasts, dancing, singing bhajans and geets, and the likes.
In Bengal, people celebrate it as Durga puja , and huge idols of Maa Durga are carved for worship.
In Gujarat, people celebrate Navratri with Garba and Dandiya, dancing in the tunes and energies of Maa Durga, dressing up in cheerful clothes, and maintaining a festive spirit.

Common celebrations over the world

And in the many different traditions and rituals, certain celebrations are common among people no matter in which part of the world.
For example, the pujas and aartis of Maa Durga and the ‘Pandal hopping’ trend that is getting famous is done all over the world. Family members come together to pray to the Goddess, sing bhajans in her praise, and perform aartis inviting her energy to their homes.
Along with that, many people prefer to fast for all 9 days of Navratri, abstaining from indulgent food, and live on fruits and water for as much as possible. And those who can't fast for all 9 days, prefer keeping the first and last few days (usually 2 each) of fasting.

Overall, the 9 nights of Navratri are perfect to be in sync with the energy and positivity of Maa Durga. Be it her fierce form who killed the demon Mahishasura, getting the name Mahishasurmardini, or her calmer forms in the avatar of Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Durga is around us all through the time of Navratri.


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