Navratri 2020 Dates & Auspicious Muhurat

Navratri 2020: The nine-day festival called Navratri is regarded as an auspicious and prominent Hindu festival. During Navratri, the nine forms of Durga Maa are worshipped. Navratri is celebrated twice a year and is known as Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. During Navratri, the devotees fast continuously for nine days and pay their respect during the auspicious festival.

Navratri does not only hold religious significance but scientific also. According to science, we all consume the same kind of food daily, which can affect our body badly. Fasting for nine days gives a much-needed healthy break to the body and helps to eliminate toxic elements from the body. During Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped continuously for nine days, and simple and healthy food is consumed.

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Chaitra Navratri 2020

During Navratri, nine different incarnations of Goddess are worshipped following a strict method. It is considered that by worshipping with devotion for nine days, happiness, joy and wealth comes into the devotees’ home and workplace. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Durga takes all your sorrow away from you. Moreover, it also brings mental peace in your life and attracts positivity. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated during March and April (dates are mentioned in Navratri 2020 calendar).

Auspicious Muhurat for Ghatasthapana

Note: Above mentioned muhurat is applicable in New Delhi.

Sharad Navratri 2020

Sharad or Shardiya Navratri is celebrated in the month of Ashvin on Shukla Paksha’s Pratipada till the ninth day or Navami (Sharad Navratri 2020 dates have been mentioned in Navratri 2020 list). The winter season starts right after it ends, hence the name Shardiya. On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, houses are decorated with flowers and Goddess Durga is worshipped. This helps to gain tranquility of mind. All nine forms of Goddess Durga including Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katayayni, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Sidhidatri are venerated.

Auspicious Muhurat for Ghatasthapana

Note: Above mentioned muhurat is applicable in New Delhi.

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What Makes Navratri A Unique Festival?

Navratri celebrates feminine power and is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. And therefore, women take the central stage during this 9-day festival. Navratri also evokes the historical status of women in ancient India. Below is a quick information on how Navratri 2020 is celebrated in different states of India.

• East India – Navratri is celebrated as “Durga Pooja”, where devotees fast for nine days. It is believed that Goddess Durga won over the demon called Mahishasur, and hence, the divine feminine power is celebrated. Check the above mentioned calendar for Navratri 2020 dates.
• West India – In the Western side, Navratri is celebrated with enthusiasm and unity. The regional dance of Garba is held during these nine days (check above for Navratri 2020 dates). Moreover, people come together, dance, sing songs and enjoy with family and friends. Garba event during Navratri is also organised in many universities out of India.
• North India – During Navratri, people in North India welcome Maa Durga by cleaning their houses and prohibiting the use of several food items such as garlic, meat, liquor and onion. They follow a simple life pattern and fast for nine days. On Ashtami or Navami, people worship Goddess Durga’s nine avatars by welcoming nine little girls in their house, worshipping them and feeding them with Prasad.
• South India – In the South, Navratri is celebrated as Golu, in which a total number of 100 idols are bought. These 100 idols are placed in a way that reflects different cultures and heritage. Moreover, these idols and dolls are placed on stairs so that each one can be seen easily. You can find the Navratri 2020 dates from above list.

Navratri 2020: Navratri and The Traditions

As per the mythologies, a demon called Mahishasur got blessed with a boon that neither God, nor Demon would kill him, but a woman. As a result, he became aggressive and started worrying the devtas. All the Gods went to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva for a solution. After getting defeated by the demon, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva venerated the Aadi Shakti, out of which Maa Durga appeared. Witnessing the eternal beauty of Maa Durga, Mahisasur lost his senses and asked her hand for marriage. She agreed on one condition: he must win over her in a battle. For nine days (this year dates are mentioned in Navratri 2020 calendar), the Demon and the Goddess fought, and on the tenth day, she killed him, hereby emerging victorious.

Pooja Items for Navratri 2020

During Navratri, it is considered that performing pooja while following the rituals brings great results. The first day of Navratri begins after GhataSthapana, which must be done during the Shubh Muhurat. On Navratri, special kind of Pooja and Havan is organized, and Prasad is offered to devotees. This is important to take care of some important things during Navratri Pooja. These were the rituals and the dates have been mentioned in Navratri 2020 dates.

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Navratri 2020: What To Keep In Mind?

This is important to know what you should keep in mind while celebrating Navratri 2020 so that to gain Goddess Durga’s blessings. Let’s check out more about it.

• Do keep in mind to take a shower and wear clean and washed clothes only.
• Do clean your home’s temple and offer new clothes to Goddess Durga.
• Make sure that the temple’s surrounding is also cleaned and no shoe or other footwear has been placed there.
• Keep all the ingredients like vermilion, Diya, rice, durva etc. on a plate.
• The next step is placing Kalash so that pooja can be preceded further.
• Make sure that the coconut placed over the Kalash has been wrapped in a red cloth.
• After Pooja, do sprinkle Gangajal all over your home.
• Worship all nine forms of Goddess Durga, invite the little girls and feed them the Prasad. Seek their blessings.
• Prepare Kale Chane, Halwa, and Puri for Prashad.
• During Navratri, like each year in Navratri 2020 also it is advised to stay away from onion and garlic.

We hope that this article would prove to be useful to you. We wish you and your family a very Happy Navratri 2020.