Navratri, a nine-day festival, celebrates the worship of Goddess Durga’s nine avatars, known as the Navadurga. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a specific form of the Goddess, and devotees offer a particular bhog (food offering) to seek blessings. Here’s a breakdown of the nine days and what you can offer:
Day 1: Maa Shailputri
On the first day, devotees worship Maa Shailputri, the first avatar of Goddess Durga. The recommended bhog for this day is ghee (clarified butter). It is believed to grant good health and free the worshipper from illnesses.
Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini
The second day honors Maa Brahmacharini. Offering sugar or sweets to the Goddess is said to bring long life and peace. This simple bhog symbolizes longevity and a stress-free life.
Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta
On the third day, milk-based sweets, like kheer (rice pudding), are offered to Maa Chandraghanta. This offering is believed to bring happiness and remove sorrow from the devotees’ lives.
Day 4: Maa Kushmanda
Day four is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda. Malpua (a traditional Indian sweet) is offered, believed to enhance intellect and decision-making abilities.
Day 5: Maa Skandamata
On the fifth day, bananas are offered to Maa Skandamata, invoking her blessings for good health and well-being.
Day 6: Maa Katyayani
Maa Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day. The appropriate bhog is honey, which symbolizes harmony and peace in life.
Day 7: Maa Kalaratri
For the seventh day, jaggery is offered to Maa Kalaratri, as she is known for her power to remove negativity and evil forces from devotees’ lives.
Day 8: Maa Mahagauri
On the eighth day, coconut is the chosen bhog for Maa Mahagauri, symbolizing purity and the fulfillment of desires. This day also marks the important ritual of Kanya Pujan.
Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri
The final day is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri. Sesame seeds are offered, believed to remove obstacles and grant protection.
Key Highlights:
- Each day of Navratri celebrates a different form of Goddess Durga, and devotees offer unique bhog to each avatar.
- The offerings include foods like ghee, sugar, kheer, bananas, honey, and sesame seeds.
- These offerings are believed to invoke the Goddess’s blessings for health, prosperity, and protection.
- Day 8 includes a special ritual called Kanya Pujan.