Navratri 2021: When is Navratri starting? Know the date and auspicious time of Kalash establishment and Navami

Navratri 2021: When is Navratri starting? Know the date and auspicious time of Kalash establishment and Navami

Navratri 2021 Start and End Date: The festival of Durga Puja or Navratri is arguably the most talked about festival of India. The worshippers of Durga keep on waiting for this big festival for months and start arrangement in advance. Dedicated to Maa Durga, this festival comes after Chaitra Navratra. This article focuses on every facet of Navratri, whether it is its start date, auspicious time, method of worship, recipe or the method of worshipping the Goddess of Millions.

Durga Puja, the great religious festival of India is commemorated in the length and breadth of India, with great fervour and religious merriment. It lasts for nine days, and as the day progresses, so does the religious temperament and the influx of the people. Right from Shasti, people start thronging to worship the idol of Goddess Durga and keep on pouring at the place Goddess’ idol is placed. This festival ends on Dashmi or Durga Visarjan.
Though Durga Puja is now celebrated almost every state of India, however it is celebrated with great pomp and show in the states like Bengal, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Assam, Manipur and Tripura.

In addition to Bengal, Durga Puja is celebrated in the name of Navratri Puja in the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra etc. It is important to note here that Durga Puja or Navratri Puja is celebrated twice a year— in the month of Chaitra and Ashwin. The Importance of Durga Puja is such that almost all Hindu devout want to celebrate this festival with full faith and devotion.

Importance of Durga Puja

In Hindu Religion, Durga Puja does assume a prominent place. This festival has religious, spiritual, cultural and worldly importance. People start worshiping Durga on Shashti and immerse the Goddess of Strength and Protection on Dashami. During these days, all the temples get bedecked and the atmosphere becomes completely festive. Some people worship the nine Durgas in their homes with all the religious restraints (fast etc.) and celebrate this festival with great zeal and passion . The Bhaktas of Deity Durga worship the feminine power in the form of Durga Puja. In many places, fairs and markets are held during this festival, cultural programs are organised and small girls are fed.

The Legend Associated with Durga Pooja

There are many legends associated with why Durga Pooja is celebrated.
According to the first belief, the festival of Navratri is celebrated in the joy of killing a demon named Mahishasura by Maa Durga. Actually, it happened that the demon Mahishasura had obtained the boon of being invincible from the gods by doing hard penance. On receiving the boon of being invincible, Mahishasura began to consider himself to be the most powerful creature on earth. He started attacking the gods. The gods were frightened by his nuisance, but being invincible, defeating them became a problem for the gods.

After this the deities prepared the blueprint for killing Mahishasura. Durga, the goddess of power, was worshipped. All the gods gave their weapons to Mother Durga so that she could kill the tyrannical demon Mahisha Sur. Maa Durga became supernaturally powerful after getting the weapons of all the gods. After this there was a fierce battle between Mahishasura and Maa Durga for 9 days. Mahishasura was killed on the 10th day. Due to killing Mahishasura, Mother Durga was called Mahishasur Mardini.

According to other legends, Lord Rama worshiped the new form of the goddess to kill Ravana. Mother Goddess was pleased with the worship of Maryada Purushottam Lord Rama and after that gave a boon to Lord Rama.

Only after getting this boon, Lord Rama was able to kill the tyrant Ravana and brought Mother Sita back to Ayodhya from Lanka. Due to this incident of Ravana slaughter by Lord Rama, Dussehra festival is considered as the victory of good over evil and the effigy of Ravana is burnt on the last day of Durga Puja.

Actually, Durga Puja is actually celebrated with the strong desire to get the power so that the evils could be crushed to defeat. The devout believe that the blessings of Deity Durga will be bestowed upon them and with Her blessings they will be able to keep the problems, negative energies and evils at bay. If we take a peep in the Hindu Festivals, we will come to know that there is indeed a social connotation behind every festival of Hindu religion. Durga Puja is one such festival that brings enthusiasm and energy in our lives.

Navratri 2021 Start and End Date, Sharad Navratri 2021: Undoubtedly, the festival of Navratri has special significance and the excitement for this festival is incomparable. Deity Durga is worshipped as a symbol of power and protection. During Navratri, as many as nine forms of Devi Durga are worshipped. It is widely believed that if one evokes Durga with the prescribed method, happiness and prosperity falls in his or her life unfailingly. On Navratri that continues for 9 long days, the devotees of Durga observe fasting for 9 days and that is something rare among all the festivals.

When is Navratri in 2021?

Before the Panchang had come up, speculation were rife on When is Navratri in 2021? Some were telling that Navratri will be celebrated on the last week of October as this year, almost all festivals have got delayed. However, when Panchang came in, it set all speculations at rest. Now, it has become quite clear that Sharad Navratri will commence from 07 October, 2021 and last till 15th October, 2021.

When is Durga Puja Kalash Sthapana 2021?
The festival of Navratri commences with the installation of the Kalash. This ritual is popularly known as Kalash Sthapana. Now, it is evidently clear that the Durga Puja Kalash Sthapana 2021 will be on 07 October 2021. Importantly, with the Kalash Sthapana the Festival of Navratri starts officially.

Important Day and Date of Navratri 2021

Navratri 2021 (Navratri 2021 Start and End Date)

Navratri begins – 7 October 2021, Thursday

Navratri Navami date – 14 October 2021, Thursday

Navratri Dashami date – 15 October 2021, Friday

Ghatasthapana date – 7 October 2021, Thursday

When does Sharad Navratri start?

• Worship of Maa Shailputri- The first day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Shaiputri form of Deity Durga.

• Maa Brahmacharini- The second day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Brahmacharini form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Chandraghanta- The third day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Chandraghanta form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Kushmanda- The fourth day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Kushmanda form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Skandmata- The fifth day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Kushmanda form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Katyayani – The sixth day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Katyayani form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Kalratri- The seventh day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Katyayani form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Mahagauri- The eighth day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Katyayani form of Goddess Durga.

• Maa Siddhidatri- The eighth day of Navratri is celebrated with the worship of Katyayani form of Goddess Durga.

• Parana of Shardiya Navratri fast- Dashami date 15 October 2021, Parana of Shardiya Navratri on Friday and Mother Durga will be immersed.

Navratri 2021: Navratri is such a festival that is celebrated not once or twice, rather four times a year. There are twice Gupt Navratri and twice Navratri. Among these, there are Shardiya and Chaitra Navratri as well, that are celebrated with great gaiety and religious fervour. If we go to Hindi meaning of Navratri, we will find that it means Nine Nights. As already mentioned above, nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped during the nine-day festival.

Since the days of Navratri are considered to be very sacred, you can start any auspicious work these days, without seeking the advice from pundits. It is important to note here that Shardiya Navratri starts from Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. The significance of Shardiya Navratri is well described in the Puranas.

Navratri in Bengali Religion

In Bengal, Deity Durga is worshipped for nine days. Immersion takes place on the first day of their establishment and completion. When Shradh(Pitra Paksha) ends, Navratri begins. Entire Bengal gets submerged in the Bhaktas of Devi Durga. Interestingly, each day is dedicated to a form of goddess and it lasts till the last day of Navratri.

The power and energy of Maa Durga is worshipped in the first three days. On the fourth, fifth and sixth day, Goddess Lakshmi, is worshipped with great devotion and warmth. The next day, i.e. on seventh day, Devi Saraswati, known as the goddess of Arts and Knowledge is worshipped with all religious fervour. The eight day is exclusive for Maa Mahagauri. However, on the last day, i.e. on Navmi Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped.

What is the importance of Kalash?

As our scriptures say, the very first day of Navratri is very auspicious. Established on the first day, the Kalash is considered to be the form of Lord Vishnu. Kalashasthapana is also known as Ghatasthapana.

Method of installation of Kalash

Establishment of Kalash in Navratri is done before the invocation of gods and goddesses. Before establishing the Kalash, you have to prepare the Kalash, whose complete method is as follows…

First of all, put some soil in the big clay pot. And put jowar seeds in it.

Now put some more soil in this vessel again. And then put the seeds. After that put all the earth in the pot and then put the seeds and add some water.

(Keep in mind, plant these seeds in the pot in such a way that when it grows, it will grow upwards. That is, plant the seeds in a vertical position and must put the seeds in the upper layer.)

Now tie Mauli on the Kalash and the neck of that vessel. Also apply tilak.

After this fill the Ganges water in the Kalash.

Give betel nut, perfume, durva grass, akshat and coin in this water.

Now place 5 Ashoka leaves on the sides of this Kalash and cover the Kalash with a lid.
Now take a coconut and wrap it in a red cloth or red chunni. Keep some money in it along with the chunni.

After this tie this coconut and sardine with the protection thread.

After preparing all the three things, first of all clean the ground thoroughly and place a pot of barley clay on it. Place an earthen pot on top of it and then place coconut on the lid of the vase.

Your urn installation is complete. After this, by invoking all the gods and goddesses, worship Navratri duly. You have to keep this Kalash in the temple for nine days. Just keep in mind that keep adding water as needed in the morning and evening.

Durga Puja Method

Worship Maa Durga at home with this method, know the complete method
The best place for worship is considered to be North or North East i.e. Northeast. This place is also called as Dev Sthal. In Navratri, worship and establish Kalash in this direction.

According to Vastu Shastra, on the first day of Navratri, make a sign of Swastik on both sides of the main door of the house. Put a pylon of a mango tree on the door. It is believed that this is done because on this day the mother comes to the house of the devotees. This year the festival of Navratri starts from Saturday, October 17, and ends on Saturday, October 24.

During this, devotees worship nine forms of the mother for nine days. Devotees also observe a fast to seek the blessings of the mother. But let us tell you that Vastu has special significance in the worship of mother. To make the worship successful and fruitful, it is very important to have the knowledge of the installation of the idols of the deities and the right direction of worship. Having correct knowledge of Vastu at the place of worship increases happiness and peace in the house of the devotee. Keep these Vastu rules in mind while worshiping the mother.

Take special care of cleanliness – Clean your house on the first day of Navratri. If there is any unnecessary item lying inside the house, throw it out. It is said that having such items in the house generates a kind of negative energy. Do not keep dirt inside the house and keep the house clean by lighting incense-lamps.

Worship in Northeast: The best place for worship is considered to be the North or North East i.e. Northeast. This place is also called as Dev Sthal. In Navratri, worship and establish Kalash in this direction. By worshiping in this direction, positive energy remains in the house. While performing the puja, your face should be towards the east.

The east is said to be the abode of the gods. The idol of the mother should be kept on the seat. In Vastu Shastra, it is considered good to install on mango or sandalwood. It is more fruitful if the Akhand Jyoti is lit in the igneous angle i.e. southeast direction.

Take care of the worship material – On the nine days of Navratri, keep the worship material of the mother in the south-east direction of the temple. Especially include desi ghee, guggul and camphor in it. Mother especially likes red colored clothes. Therefore, keep the worship material on the red cloth. Use copper and brass utensils in the worship of the mother.