Shardiya Navratri 2023 is an auspicious nine-day Hindu festival celebrated with immense enthusiasm across India. This festival is devoted to honoring the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, known as Navdurga, including Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
One of these forms, Goddess Parvati, was born at the home of Daksha Prajapati. She was a great Sati, and her unmarried form is revered as Goddess Brahmacharini. On the second day of Navratri 2023, devotees pay homage to this form of Navdurga.
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Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted with a tranquil demeanor, draped in white attire, walking barefoot. She holds a japa mala (a string of beads) in her right hand and a Kamandal (a traditional water pot) in her left. Hindu scriptures narrate her intense penance to appease Lord Shiva, leading to her popular name, Brahmacharini.
During these nine days of festivity, devotees observe fasts and engage in various rituals, including Navratri Ghatsthapana, Durga Saptashathi Path, Durga Aarti, Durga Chalisa recitations, Kanya Puja, and lively Garba and Dandiya nights. The tenth day, known as Dussehra, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Shardiya Navratri 2023, also called Maha Navratri, will be celebrated from October 15 to October 23, concluding with Dussehra.
On the second day of Navratri 2023, which falls on Monday, October 16, Goddess Brahmacharini is venerated, signifying the provider of all fortunes, Lord Mangal.
The color associated with this day is white, symbolizing purity and innocence, providing a sense of inner peace and security.
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Brahmacharini Puja Rituals
The puja for Maa Brahmacharini involves waking up early, donning fresh and clean clothes, and dipping the idol of Goddess Brahmacharini in Panchamrit, a mixture of honey, sugar, milk, curd, and ghee. Vermillion is applied to her forehead, and devotees offer flowers, Akshat, sandalwood, supari, paan, and her favorite Jasmine flowers.
The mantras chanted during the puja are “Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah” and “Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu। Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama.”
Traditional bhog offerings to Maa Brahmacharini include jaggery, fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges, sweets like laddoos, barfi, and gulab jamun, kheer (rice pudding), and halwa (a sweet dish made from semolina). Devotees may also offer items like flowers, incense, and candles.
A simple jaggery bhog can be prepared by heating jaggery and water until it melts and thickens, adding cardamom powder. You can also offer a fruit bhog by arranging a variety of fruits on a platter.
Shardiya Navratri is a time of devotion, celebration, and seeking blessings from the divine, and each day holds a unique significance in this festival, bringing people together in unity and faith.
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