Shardiya Navratri 2024, also known as Maha Navratri, is an important Hindu festival celebrated in autumn. It takes place in the lunar month of Ashwin, typically falling in September or October. This nine-day festival honors the nine forms of Goddess Shakti, representing various aspects of divine feminine energy.
Each day is dedicated to a specific manifestation of the goddess, culminating in Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami on the tenth day, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
This year, there is some uncertainty about the start date of Shardiya Navratri, with celebrations to begin on October 3rd, 2024. Below, you can find the correct start and end dates for the festivities.
Shardiya Navratri 2024
Shardiya Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals. In 2024, this vibrant celebration will begin on October 3 and last for nine days, honoring the nine avatars of Goddess Durga.
The festival will culminate in the Dussehra celebration on the tenth day, which falls on October 12, 2024. Join in the festivities as devotees pay tribute to the divine feminine energy during this auspicious time!
Shardiya Navratri 2024 Dates
According to the Hindu Panchang, Shardiya Navratri will start on October 3, 2024, and conclude on October 12, 2024.
| Shardiya Navratri 2024 Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Day | Puja Celebrated |
| 03 October | Sunday | Ghatasthapana, Maa Shailputri Puja |
| 04 October | Monday | Maa Brahmacharini Puja |
| 05 October | Tuesday | Maa Chandraghanta Puja |
| 06 October | Wednesday | Maa Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi |
| 07 October | Thursday | Maa Skandamata Puja |
| 08 October | Friday | Maa Katyayani Puja |
| 09 October | Saturday | Maa Kalaratri Puja |
| 10 October | Sunday | Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Kanya Puja |
| 11 October | Monday | Maha Navami, Maa Siddhidatri Puja, Havan |
| 12 October | Tuesday | Vijayadashami, Dussehra, Navratri Paran, Durga Visarjan |
Shardiya Navratri 2024 Shubh Muhurat
Ashwin Ghatasthapana Timings for 2024
On October 3, 2024, Ashwin Ghatasthapana will take place from 6:15 AM to 7:22 AM. The auspicious Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurta is set for 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM.
Durga Ashtami Sandhi Puja Timings for 2024
On October 11, 2024, the Sandhi Puja of Durga Ashtami will be observed from 11:42 AM to 12:30 PM.
Shardiya Navratri 2024 Colors of Days
Day 1 – October 03
Start Navratri in vibrant orange, which brings warmth and positivity, uplifting your spirits.
Day 2 – October 04
On this white Monday, embrace purity and inner peace, attracting the blessings of the Goddess.
Day 3 – October 05
Wear red on Tuesday to symbolize passion and love, energizing you for the celebrations.
Day 4 – October 06
Opt for royal blue on Wednesday, reflecting elegance and richness as you honor the festival.
Day 5 – October 07
Yellow is the color for Thursday, radiating optimism and joy to keep your spirits high.
Day 6 – October 08
On Friday, embrace green, symbolizing growth, peace, and fresh beginnings.
Day 7 – October 09
Choose grey for a balanced look, offering a subtle yet stylish statement during Navratri.
Day 8 – October 10
Sunday calls for purple, representing luxury and nobility, inviting blessings of grandeur.
Day 9 – October 11
Conclude the festival in peacock green, embracing uniqueness and freshness with this exquisite blend of blue and green.
Shardiya Navratri 2024 Rituals
Shardiya Navratri is a vibrant festival filled with rituals that strengthen the bond between devotees and the divine. Fasting is a central practice during these nine days, with many people choosing to abstain from certain foods and eating at specific times. Traditionally, devotees enjoy simple, sattvic meals.
Here are some important rituals observed during Navratri:
1. Ghatasthapana
The festival kicks off with Ghatasthapana, where a pot filled with water symbolizes Goddess Durga. Barley seeds are sown in this pot, which is kept in the puja room. Over the nine days, as the seeds sprout, they represent growth and prosperity.
2. Durga Puja
Throughout the festival, devotees perform puja ceremonies. They engage in aarti (prayers) and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the goddess. Many also fast during Navratri as a form of devotion and penance.
3. Garba and Dandiya Raas
Evenings during Navratri are filled with lively Garba and Dandiya Raas dances. People dress in traditional outfits and come together to dance to rhythmic music, celebrating the joyous spirit of the festival.
4. Kanya Pujan
On the eighth or ninth day, young girls are worshipped in a ritual called Kanya Pujan. They are revered as incarnations of Goddess Durga, treated as special guests, and honored with meals and gifts.
These rituals not only mark the festival’s significance but also foster a sense of community and devotion among participants.
Shardiya Navratri 2024 Puja Vidhi and Vrat Katha
Each day of Shardiya Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga, allowing devotees to engage in special prayers and rituals in her honor. The festival starts with the worship of Goddess Shailputri and culminates with the reverence of Goddess Siddhidatri.
During these nine days, the Durga Saptashati, also known as the Chandi Path, is recited. This sacred scripture recounts the heroic tales of Goddess Durga, highlighting her strength and valor. This practice deepens the connection between devotees and the divine, making each day of the festival a meaningful spiritual journey.
Shardiya Navratri 2024 Significance
Shardiya Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is a vital festival in Hinduism that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This nine-day celebration honors Goddess Durga and her nine forms, embodying the divine feminine energy, or Shakti. Each day is dedicated to worshipping a specific aspect of the goddess, inviting her blessings for strength, protection, and spiritual growth.
The festival represents the ongoing battle between virtue and vice, as illustrated by Goddess Durga’s triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. This mythological tale signifies the conquest of ignorance, ego, and negativity.
Beyond its religious significance, Shardiya Navratri also marks the onset of autumn, known as Sharad Ritu, a time of renewal and harvest. The festival encourages introspection and self-reflection, allowing devotees to seek forgiveness and rejuvenate their spirits.
The celebration culminates in Vijaya Dashami, which honors the ultimate victory of good over evil and inspires devotees to emulate the courage and resilience of Goddess Durga.
Shardiya Navratri not only reinforces Hindu values but also strengthens community bonds, reminding everyone of the enduring power of righteousness and the divine feminine.
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| International Day of Peace 2024 | World Rhino Day 2024 |
| World Rivers Day 2024 | World Rose Day 2024 for Cancer Patients |
| Pitru Paksha 2024 | International Day of Sign Languages 2024 |
Shardiya Navratri 2024 FAQs
Q.1. What are the dates for Shardiya Navratri 2024?
Ans. Shardiya Navratri will begin on October 3, 2024, and conclude on October 12, 2024.
Q.2. What is the significance of Ghatasthapana?
Ans. Ghatasthapana marks the start of Navratri, where a pot symbolizing Goddess Durga is filled with water and barley seeds, representing growth and prosperity.
Q.3. What rituals are performed during Navratri?
Ans. Key rituals include Ghatasthapana, Durga Puja, Garba and Dandiya Raas, and Kanya Pujan, fostering community bonding and devotion.
Q.4. How are the nine days of Navratri celebrated?
Ans. Each day honors a different form of Goddess Durga, with specific prayers, fasting, and the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.
Q.5. What do the colors represent during Navratri?
Ans. Each day of Navratri has a specific color symbolizing different energies, such as orange for positivity, white for purity, and red for passion.
