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Navratri is a highly anticipated festival of India celebrated in different ways around the country. If you are wondering all about 2023 Navratri details, then this is the space for you. From navratri puja samagri to what all navratri decoration items you’d need, we will cover it all.
What is Navratri?
Navratri, also spelled Navaratri, is a festival that celebrates the divine feminine. It occurs over 9 days during the month of Ashvin in Hinduism. Following Navratri, Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day, which effectively makes this festival a 10 day long celebration instead of 9. There are three other similar festivals also called Navratri celebrated around the country, but the Sharad Navratri is the most significant one.
What is the Significance of Navratri?
Each day of Navratri, a different form of the Devi is worshipped. Each form has a different significance, making each day of worship, special.
Devi Shailaputri is worshipped on the first day, she is the daughter of the Himalaya king and thus we worship her to attain our highest state of consciousness.
Devi Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day. She is the form that undertook severe atonement to gain Lord Shiva as her partner. Therefore, this day is perfect for sacred meditations and turning to explore our inner selves.
Devi Chandraghata is celebrated on the third day. She is the form of Parvati at her marriage with Shiva. This day signifies taking our focus away from everything to concentrate on our Mother Devine.
Devi Kushmanda is celebrated on the fourth day, who showers all of us with her devine energy.
Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day, who is the motherly form of Devi. This brings in wisdom, liberation and prosperity in our lives as ardent worshippers.
Devi Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day. This form of Devi was born to destroy the negative and demonic forces in the entire universe. This day is significant for us to put behind our inner demons and evolve spiritually.
Devi Kalaratri, the fierce form of the Devi is celebrated on the seventh day. She is the embodiment of the infinite dark energy and the uncountable universes.
Devi Mahagauri is celebrated on the eight day. She herself is the celebration of everything beautiful, of the calm that nature that bring us. Her energy liberates us all.
Finally, on the ninth day, we celebrate Devi Siddhidatri, who brings perfection into all our lives as “Siddhi” literally means perfect.
When is Navratri in 2023?
In 2023, Navratri starts on 15th October (Sunday) and ends on 24th October (Tuesday).
What all do you need for conducting the puja?
All the things you’d need for the Navratri puja aka the navratri puja samagri list consists of all of these.
Unused pieces of red cloth, Shringar items, Mustard oil or ghee and cotton wicks for lighting the lamp (lamp can be silver or brass), Ganga jal, dhoop/agarbatti and a chowki or any raised platform/table.
Coconut, Rosewater, Akshat, Camphor, Kumkum, Haldi and Chandan, Paan-Supari, Sacred threads, flowers, fruits and sweets, batasha, laung- elaichi, few currency coins and serving trays.
Last, but not the lest, do not forget to get beautiful pictures or idols of the Goddess with Pancha Dhatu.
What items are commonly needed for Navratri décor?
While how you decorate your space for any occasion is absolutely upto you, there are a few things that are mandatory for a Navratri special décor. The navratri decoration items you need are diyas, marigold flowers and malas out of them, mango leaves that are also sometimes added to the mala, nariyal, a decked puja thali and multiple agarbatti stands. These are all Navratri must haves.
Apart from the above, feel free to celebrate the festival with much light and enthusiasm, taking it up a notch with beautiful lights and appropriate music or chants for the ambience.
