Navratri Vrat or Navaratri Vratam is an important fast observed by Hindus during Ashvin (September – October). Navratri 2013 begins on October 5 and ends on October 13. Vasant Navratri is from April 11 to April 19. It is believed that those devotees who perform Navratri fasting will find happiness on earth and will receive ‘moksha.’ Legend has it that, how to observe the Navarathri Vrat was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her ardent devotee. The Vratam is observed by both men and women and Navratri mantra is repeated during the period.
Navratri Fast
The Navratri fast is observed from the first day to the ninth day of Ashvin month. People take bath in the morning and evening during this period and some even drink water only after the ritual bath in the morning.
Most devotees take only a single meal during the day. Non-vegetarian food is totally avoided. Some people confine to milk and fruits during the nine days.
Some devotees only observe fast during three days i.e., first fast during any one of the first three days and second fast during any one of the next three and last in any one of final three days.
How to perform the rituals?
A Kalash is prepared at home and the water is changed daily for nine days. The kalash is placed on grains on raised platform or in the Puja room. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days, Goddess Lakshmi for the next three days, and Goddess Saraswathi during the last three days. (Some people make clay figures of the Goddesses during the period).
Each day fresh flowers and fruits are offered to the Goddess. Arati is performed and bhajans are recited.
The Mantras and Bhajans to be recited
Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) and Sri Lalita Sahasranama are recited during the period. The important Navratri mantra is ‘Aaim hreem kleem chamundayai vichche.’
Some devotees conduct special homas and pujas during the period.
On the ninth day, all books, pen and whatever implements that a person uses for his/her livelihood is worshipped and is not touched on the day.
On the tenth day, that is the Vijayadashami day in South India , especially in Kerala, young children are initiated into the world of learning.
There are no hard and fast rules for any fasting in Hindu religion. There is always scope for flexibility. Some people just abstain from non-vegetarian food during the period. Some people just visit temples all the nine days. Some people read Bhagavad Gita or other holy books during the period.
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44 comments:
This is extremely helpful!
thx ..its really very helpful..
I did not know you was suppose to recite a mantra... I have been fasting by just eating fruit and water and one meal a day...I have listened to the Mantra is this too late...
THANK U FOR THE VALUABLE INFORMATION
are you allowed to take medication during the vrat?
Yes you should take your medication. You should only fast after taking advice from your doctor. It is better you opt for a partial fast or pure Vegetarian fasting.
it is really very helpful to those who doesn't have elders and want to know about the puja...thanks a lot
hey i miss katha during fast ...now wat can i do .......plz suggest me???????
em feel gulity
most of pujas, mantras and kathas are now available on cd's n tapes. buy those from indian music stores and play.
Is sex allowed during fasting?
God is not a villain to punish you in case you miss something during a puja/vrat. There is no need to be guilty about anything that you could not do due to circumstances or ignorance. He accepted half bitten fruits, He accepted water showered from mouth, He accepts a grass blade when given with devotion and dedication. It's the thought that is important than procedure. All vrats are flexible. We should make sure that we are doing all that we can and we know. That's all. Inabilities are given by him and he understands us more than we assume he does. He forgives beyond forgiveness when we realize mistakes and not repeat them. Don't worry. Do what you can and make sure that you are doing all that you can. Be truthful to yourself and don't try to fool God. That's all!
This year i want to start pooja. so that information is really helpful for me.thanx
Is smoking allowed during this fast.?
is smoking and sex allowed during fast?
No smoking and sex is not allowed during Navratri vrat.
i didnot know that navratri started frm yesterday....can i do it frm today???
Yes you can start from today also. Everything is flexible in Sanatana Dharma. You don't need to worry about missing a day.
it was quiet helpful
People who fast has to be equally aware of the health. Fasting is not easy and since we are habituated daily intake of solid food merely relying on liquid food and light solids like fruits and milk can make a person weak. Also when a person is ailing with BP or Sugar one needs to extra cautious.Take Care of health at the same time follow Vrat rituals to the max extent but not compromising on health. Narayanaswami Matunga-Mumbai-9821343229
masturbation is allowed during the vrat...? I'm not doing it , but i want to know it...as i'm 16,..i had a night fall last night...is my fast is broken ?
Hey silly guy please night fall etc is common in this age. So it is not going to break your fast.
You should avoid masturbation.
I'm doing my Kaarya Shiddhi hanuman vrat....that takes 16 days... Should I avoid masturbation?? Please help me regarding this...?
can girls perform all 8 days fast during my menstrual cycle..??
why just avoid non-veg for 9 days... this is what i dont get when people say we dont eat meat during 9 days of Navratri... in the first place it is never to be consumed by proper Hindus!
Some people develop their own philosophies and not follow the actual words of Lord.
Masturbation is release of Sperms for pleasure. That sperm that could have produced a life.. SO masturbation is sin on its own. Unecessary waste of sperm incurrs the sin of Bhramhatya. During Vrat one should not engage in sexual activity as this nullifies the fast. One should observe Bhramcharya (celibacy).
Can we keep navratri fast during menstrual cycle.. ??
wht r v supposed 2 du wid d kalash after navratri???
what are daily steps of puja at home during navratri days.
Hey by keeping ths fast will goddes gv wat I want
@anonymous: Goddess sees love. devotion and faith.
Yes. she gives what you want.
P.S : Love is to love without reason.
Thanks this was informative, one of these days I need to do the puja with the Kalash what is the significance of it.
I start to keep fast , but my periods start on 4th day. can I continue fasting ? or should i break it
@Kalash represents Goddess
@Rohini...You can fast during periods.
Thanx for the information..
-Kunal
is it important that an individual fasts for 2 days or one day of fast also works????
pls help me to answer my quistion this navratari the fasting i start from thired day but keep fasting without eating & drinking any food fruit or any water but now my family ask me to eat once a day but i wated to do fasting without food & water do i can start to eat once a day is this correct or not am i fasting in right way or wrong n i am just burn joystick n do puja is this way i can do puja or not
nirmal sinhg i start fasting from 3RD day is it ok becouse i did not know that must fast first 3 day or last 3day or in bitween first n last 3 days so pls answer thanks
nirmal singh pls answer pls
i kissed my boyfriend during fast ! did that nullify my fast !:( ;(
One fasting is ok
You can eat once in a day
@nirmal singh...you can start from 3rd. What matters is devotion not the starting date.
@Kissing is not a sin.
i know that masturbation is prohibited in this period but since 7 days i was continually fasting and today i dont know how but in my full conscience masturbated what can i do to rpent know its saptami today can i fast nirjala tommorow in order to repent
Dear Anonymus Kissing is not a sin but ys touching of one's body sexually or in same way is wrong you should confss this to god and decide to do it never again even today as a mistake i masturbated and i m still trying to rpent ask your local pundit on a name of freind he will advise you
Are these sex rules to be followed by one ho do not take any fast?
Hello I kissed my Boy friend and I am keeping all fast.is that sin or mistake that I did..
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