Magha Gupta Navratri is an auspicious 9-day period that is dedicated to worshipping the nine different forms of Goddess Shakti. It is observed from the ‘Pratipada’ (1st day) to the ‘Navami’ (9th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the ‘Magha’ month of the traditional Hindu calendar. Magha Gupta Navratri is also known as ‘Shishir Navratri’ as it falls between the winter months of January-February. It is an important occurrence for Sadhaks, tantriks and any person desiring to resolve materialistic problems. The word ‘gupt’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘secret’ and therefore Magha Gupta Navratri is known to less people unlike the other prominent Navratris observed during the Hindu month of ‘Vasant’ and ‘Chaitra’. Magha Gupta Navratri is predominately celebrated in the northern states of India namely, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Rituals during Magha Gupta Navratri:
During Magha Gupta Navratri, Hindu devotees get up at the time of sunrise and take an early bath. After finishing the morning rituals they clean and decorate the place of worship and begin making preparations.
An idol of Goddess Durga is placed on a red cloth and worshipped with vermillion, rice, colourful flowers, dhoop and incense sticks. Devotees also offer chunri, bindi and bangles to the Goddess. This nine day ritual begins on Pratipada and ends on Navami, in which nine different forms of Goddess is worshipped on each day.
The puja rituals for specific days are given below:
Navratri Day 1: Pratipada – Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja
Navratri Day 2: Dwitiya – Brahmacharini Puja
Navratri Day 3: Tritiya – Chandraghanta Puja
Navratri Day 4: Chaturthi – Kushmanda Puja
Navratri Day 5: Panchami – Skandamata Puja
Navratri Day 6: Sashthi – Katyayani Puja
Navratri Day 7: Saptami – Kaal Ratri Puja
Navratri Day 8: Ashtami – Mahagauri Puja and Sandhi Puja
Navratri Day 9: Navami – Siddhidatri Puja
The tenth day ‘dashami’ marks the end of the Navratri celebrations and is observed as Navratri Parana.
Devotees keep a strict fast during this 9-day long Magha Gupta Navratri. The observer of this vrat can eat only one meal after finishing the puja rituals of the day and offering food to a Brahmin. Some people can also observe partial fasting in which eating fruits and dairy products are allowed.
It is very auspicious to recite ‘Durga Mantra’ 108 times during the Magha Gupta Navratri. Also reading Durga Stotra during this period appeases Goddess Durga to shower Her love and affection on devotees.
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