Navratri 2021: Goddess Durga is worshiped by the devotees every year with four Navratri fasts.
There is a lot to look forward to after Navratri arrives. The nine-day festival of worship of Goddess Durga is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin, which falls between 23 September and 22 October of the Gregorian calendar. This month marks the beginning of Shardiya Navratri. Navratri or nine nights signify the duration of the festival. On Navratri, Hindus around the world celebrate and worship nine different forms of Goddess Durga. The nine forms are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
Navratri 2021 Date
According to the Hindu calendar, this year Sharadiya Navratri will start from 7 October 2021 and end on 15 October 2021.
The last three days – Ashtami, Navami and Dashami – will begin with Ashtami on 13 October. This will be followed by Navami on 14 October and Dashami on 15 October.
Depending on the date and time of the auspicious days, the festival can last for eight or nine days. This year, the festival will last for 8 days and both Tritiya and Chaturthi will fall on 9 October.
Here is the list of dates along with the corresponding days of the festival:
7 October: Pratipada
October 8: Dwitiya
9 October: Tritiya and Chaturthi
October 10: Panchami
11 October: Shashti
12 October: Saptami
13 October: Ashtami
14 October: Navami
15 October: Dashami
Puja timings for Ashtami, Navami, Dashami
Ashtami Tithi will be from 9.47 pm on 12 October to 8.07 pm on 13 October.
Navami Tithi will start from 8:07 pm on 13th October and will end on 14th October at 6:52 pm.
The Vijay Muhurta on Dashami on 15 October falls between 1:59 pm to 2:46 pm, while the Aparanha Puja takes place between 1:12 pm and 3:33 pm.
(Source: drikpanchang.com)
Importance of Navratri
Goddess Durga is worshiped by the devotees every year with four Navratri fasts. The four Navratri fasts are named after Hindu seasons/months – Magha (winter), Chaitra (spring), Ashadha (monsoon), and Sharad (autumn). Of these, Sharad Navratri is considered to be the most prominent. For nine days, the devotees observe a fast and participate in religious rituals such as reading and worshiping the Goddess Mahatmyam.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga was created by the combined powers of various deities including Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. With the powers bestowed on her by various gods, Durga conquered the demon Mahishasura. Hence, she is also worshiped as Mahishasurmardini.
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