Ashwin Shardiya Navaratri or Maha Navratri Utsav begins with Kalashsthapana, Durga Avahan, Durga Puja. Maha Navratri Vrat or fast is observed for nine nights and ten days to seek the blessings of nine forms of Goddess Durga.
Navratri comes after the last Shraddha of Pitru Paksha, i.e. Matamah Shraddha/ Sarva Pitru Amavasya. It is one of the most sacred festivals of Hindus.
Mahanavratri commences on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi, in Sharad Ritu. Navaratri festival ends on the last day of Durga with Durga Paran.
It is one of the most devotional festivals or auspicious period of Hindus celebrate throughout India and different parts of the world.
Ashwin Shardiya Navaratri Festival/ Navdurga Puja, Mahanavratri Utsav 2020
Ashwin Shardiya Navaratri or Sharad Navratri festival is a joyous festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion throughout India, Nepal and many cities of the world. Navratri begins on 17th October, 2020, this year.
This is considered an auspicious period for purchasing new garments, jewellery, property or vehicles, laying the foundation of a house, starting an important event or a new business, throughout India.
In West Bengal and eastern regions of India, it is one of the most important festivals.
Pujo or Durga Puja in West Bengal
Durga Puja (Bengal) is a part of Maha Navratri Puja, celebrated on Sashti, the sixth day of Navratri in North India, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and other Parts of India.
In Bengal, this Puja is celebrated with the Sthapana and display of artistic and beautiful idols of Goddess Ma Durga and Puja Pandals with different and new themes, observed for five days from sixth day to ninth Day. Huge Puja Pandals are decorated beautifully before bringing the idol of Ma Durga. HousesThese are twelve sections of zodiac circle having 360° numbered clockwise Ascendant is known as the first house and the last house is known as the twelfth house Each house represents specific traits used for prediction. More are also cleaned few days before the Puja starts.
Durga Puja 2020 will begin on Thursday, October 22nd and end on Monday, October 26th, 2020.
People celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm, visit to see the idols of Goddess Durga. Bengali people purchase new garments and Saris, one month before the festival, give a gift to all the family members during Durga Puja festival.
Puja rituals are performed, followed by dance, music and distribution of sweets as Prasad.
Visarjan (Bhasan): Visarjan is performed after Durga Puja. On the last day of Durga Puja, Murti Visarjan or Bhashan of the Idol of Goddess Durga is observed by immersing the idol into water.
Dandiya Dance, Maha Navratri Utsav celebrations in Gujrat and Maharashtra
People perform Garba and Dandiya dance as Navratri celebrations in different parts of India, specially Maharashtra and Gujrat during the night. Traditional and delicious food is prepared for celebrating the festival. People can be seen well dressed-up in Garba dresses, special Navratri Indian outfits and new Indo-western combinations.
Kerala
In Kerala last three days are considered important beginning with Poojavaippu, performed on the evening of Durgashtami. On Mahanavami, the next day, people observe Ayudha Puja or Goddess Saraswati Puja, worship their tools, books and musical instruments.
On the following day, on Vijayadashami, books are removed, known as Puja Eduppu. This day is considered good to start a child’s education or Vidhyarambham.
Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the next three days to Goddess Durga and the last three days to Goddess Saraswati. Traditional dolls known as Kolu and Golu are arranged at homes, shops and temples.
Music and dance are organised for entertainment in temples and halls.
Karnataka
In Karnataka, festival Navrati coincides with Mysore Dasara, dedicated to Goddess Chamundeswari,a form of Durga.
People visit Kollur Mookambika temple in Udupi.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
The nine days are dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. People make flower stacks to celebrate Bathukamma Padunga, ritual during the festival.
Observing fast or Vrat during Durga Puja
People observe fast for nine days. Devotees may keep fast for only two days, the first day, Pratipada and the last day, i.e. Mahashtami or Mahanavami, who cannot observe fast for the consecutive nine days.
In some places this festival ends on Mahashtami, the duration is only eight days.
Havan or Homam
After observing the last Vrat or fast on Saptami or Ashtami, Navratri Puja ends on Ashtami or Navami. Navratri ends with Ashtami Paran/ Navratri Paran, Kanya Bhoj and Ashtami Havan or Navami Havan, Puja and Snan-dan.
Recite Durga Saptashati Mantras
Devotees recite Durga Saptashati Mantras, perform Puja, Havana, and Vrat according to the prescribed rituals to please nine forms of Goddess Durga or Shakti during the auspicious Navratri period.
Chandi Jaap
Chandi Jaap can be performed if required during Navratri Puja days for the blessings from Ma Chandi.
Avoid eating non-vegetarian meals, if possible do not eat even onion and garlic. Do not eat anything from a stranger during nine days of Navratri.
Method for kalashsthapana-or-ghatasthapana and Mantras
Link: https://astroask.com/kalashsthapana-or-ghatasthapana/
Muhurat for Ghata Sthapana or Establishment of Kalash October 2020:
Dates for Kalashsthapana/ Ghatasthapana of Ashwin Shardiya Navaratri /Navratra Vrat, Puja, Path, Daan, Havan or Homa, Dussehra are as follows:
Ghatasthapana Muhurta begins at 06:27 AM to 10:13 AM (IST) during Chitra Nakshatra and Dvi-Svabhava Lagna.
Abhijit Muhurat
Abhijit Muhurat is from 11: 44 to 12: 29 on 17th October, 2020.
Ashwin Shardiya Maha Navratri, Puja dates, Tithi 2020 and significance
In 2020, Shardiya Navratri begins on 17th October, Saturday on the Pratipada tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha in Sharad Ritu. Navrati Puja or Durga Puja begins with the ritual of establishing a Kalash.
In the morning of the Pratipada Tithi of Ashwin shukla paksha, the devotees observe fast followed by establishing a platform of soil and planting barley over it. Then the Kalash is established on the platform made of soil or mud along with an idol of the goddess placed on it.
Durga Saptashti is recited to perform the puja rituals. During the Navratri puja, a lamp is lighted day and night for the entire nine days during Navratri. People recite Ramayana during this period. Ramleela or the play of Ramayana is displayed to remember Lord Rama, in different parts of the country by the artists.
Dates of Ashwin Navratri and Dussehra
Dates for Kalashsthapana/ Ghatasthapana of Ashwin Shardiya Navaratri /Navratra Vrat, Puja, Path, Daan, Havan or Homa, Dussehra are as follows:
First Navratra Vrat (Prathama) – 17th October 2020, Saturday, Surya Tula Sankranti at 07: 05, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi, 1st day: Navratri Kalash Sthapana or Kalash Sthapana, Chandra Darshan, Shailputri Puja.
Second Navratra Vrat (Dwitiya) – 18th October 2020, Sunday, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwitiya/Tritiya Tithi, 2nd day: Brahmacharini Puja.
Third Navratra Vrat (Trithiya) – 19th October 2020, Monday, Ashwin Shukla Paksha, 3rd day: Chandraghanta Puja.
Fourth Navratra Vrat (Chaturthi) – 20th October 2020, Tuesday, 4th day, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Vinayaka Chaturthi/ Panchami: Upang Lalita Vrat, Kushmanda Puja.
Fifth Navratra Vrat (Panchami) – 21st October 2020, Wednesday, Navratri 5th day, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Panchami, Skandamata Puja, Bilwa Nimantran, Saraswati Avahan, Nakshatra: Moola/ Poorvashadha.
Sixth Navratra Vrat (Shashthi) – 22nd October 2020, Thursday, Navratri, 6th day, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Sashthi, Katyayani Puja, Saraswati Puja, Poorvashadha- Nakshatra.
Seventh Navratra Vrat (Saptami) – 23rd October 2020, Friday, Navratri 7th day, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Saptami/ Ashatami, Saraswati Balidan: Uttarashadha Nakshatra, Saraswati Visarjan in Shravana Nakshatra, Kalratri Puja/ Mahanisha Puja.
Eight Navratra Vrat (Ashtami) – 24th October 2020, Saturday, Navratri 8th day, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Ashtami/ Navami, Mahagauri Puja, Ashatami Havan, Sandhi Puja, Maha Navami Puja and Maha Navami Havan (Kanya Bhoj for Navami)
Ninth Navratra Vrat (Navami) – 24th October 2020, Saturday, Goddess Siddhidatri Puja, Ashwin Shukla Paksha Navami ends at 22: 11 (night).
Navratri Parana and Ayudha Puja
Ashwin Navratra or Navratri ends with Navratri Parana on 25th October, 2020. Vijay Dashami begins after Navratri Parana.
Dashahara, Dussehra or Vijayadashami 2020, (Dashami)
It will begin on 25th October 2020, Sunday.
Vijayadashami or Vijaya Dashami starts just after the end of the Tithi Maha Navami. Vijaya Dashami is an important auspicious yoga period or Muhurat, for starting a new event, falls on October 25, 2020, this year.
Dussehra marks a significant victory of good over evil, means the victory of Rama over Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. It represents the end of the power of Asura (demon).
Puja rituals are performed for tools, guns and vehicles on Vijaya Dashami festival.
