Shardiya Navratri 2023 Date: Navratri is an annual Hindu celebration celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga, an incarnation of the Supreme Goddess Adi Parashakti. The fourth Navaratri, named after the autumn season (Sharada), is one of the most important Navratri of the year. Across the nation, various ceremonies and traditions are used to celebrate the nine auspicious days with great enthusiasm. Also, the tenth day, after the 9 auspicious days of Navratri, is celebrated as Durga Puja and Dusshera to mark the victory of good over evil.
When will Shardiya Navratri start?
The first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvini marks the beginning of Sharad Navaratri. Once a year, during this month, which usually falls in the Gregorian months of September and October, the festival is held for nine nights. This year the festival starts on October 15 and will end with Dussera on October 24, 2023.
Dussehra 2023 Date: When is Vijayadashami? Everything you need to know about puja timing, muhurat and more
Puja Muhurat Time and other details
Ghatasthapana is one of the significant rituals during Navratri. It marks the beginning of the nine-day holiday. The ritual symbolically signifies the invocation of the goddess Shakti. The most auspicious or best muhurat time for Ghatasthapana is during the first one-third of the 1st day of Navratri (Pratripada). While Chitra Nakshatra is considered to be the most inauspicious period for Ghatsthapana.
Date | October 15, 2023 |
Day | Sunday |
Pratipada Tithi begins | 23:24 October 14, 2023 |
Pratipada Tithi ends | 00:32 October 16, 2023 |
Chitra Nakshatra begins | 16:24 October 14, 2023 |
Chitra Nakshatra ends | 6:13 p.m. on October 15, 2023 |
Source: Drikpanchang
Shardiya Navratri 9 Days Festival Schedule
In Sanskrit, the word Navaratri means “nine nights”, with nava meaning “nine” and ratri “night”. It is celebrated in different parts of the world and has greater religious and cultural values. The table below will help you understand the complete 9-day festival schedule for Shardiya Navratri 2023:
Date | Day | An event |
October 15 Sunday | Navratri day 1 Pratipada | Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja |
October 16 Monday | Navratri day 2 Dwitiya | Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja |
October 17 Tuesday | Navratri day 3 Tritiya | Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja |
October 18 Wednesday | Navratri Day 4 Chaturthi | Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi |
October 19 Thursday | Navratri day 5 Panchami | Upang Lalita Vrat, Skandamata Puja |
October 20 Friday | Navratri day 6 Shashthi | Saraswati Avahan, Katyayani Puja |
October 21 Saturday | Navratri day 7 Saptami | Saraswati Puja, Kalaratri Puja |
October 22 Sunday | Navratri day 8 Ashtami | Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja Sandhi Puja |
October 23 Monday | Navratri day 9 Navami | Maha Navami, Ayudha Puja Navami Homa |
October 24 Tuesday | Navratri day 10 Dashami | Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan Vijayadashami |
Source: DrikPanchang
Deepawali 2023 Date: When is Diwali? Everything you need to know about the 5 days of the Festival of Lights
What is the religious and cultural significance of Shardiya Navratri?
Shardiya Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in the country by the Indian diaspora living abroad. It has enormous religious, cultural and social significance. On a religious basis, Navratri is a time for prayers, fasting and spiritual reflection that signifies devotion and worship to the various manifestations of Durga, such as Kali and Lakshmi.
Family and friends dressed in traditional and ethnic costumes enjoy festive meals. It unites people from different backgrounds in lively celebrations. Communities organize traditional dances such as Garba and Dandiya, creating a sense of community and cultural preservation.
When is Halloween 2023: Check the exact date, importance and how to celebrate it
Dos and Don’ts for Shardiya Navratri 2023
The 9 days of Shardiya Navratri include some major dos and don’ts. These dos and don’ts help devotees connect with complete devotion and reason. However, it is important to note that practices may differ among different regions and communities.
do
- Get involved in daily prayers.
- Take good care of cleanliness and hygiene.
- Offer flowers, sweets and fruits to the goddess.
- Visit temples and give charity or contributions.
- Do meditations to connect with the divine and assess your life direction.
- Stay focused and stay positive.
Do not
- Do not consume non-vegetarian food.
- Stay away from alcohol and tobacco products.
- Avoid negative thoughts and speech, and focus on positivity and harmony.
- Be honest and sincere in your actions and words.
- Avoid all kinds of superstitions.
In conclusion, Shardiya Navratri is a multi-dimensional celebration that combines religious devotion, artistic expression and social unity, making it a precious and important occasion. This year too, the Maa Durga procession will reach the country on an elephant instead of a lion. According to mythology, when Navratri starts on Sunday or Monday, Goddess Durga is believed to ride an elephant which is considered very auspicious. This spiritual connection with the elephant is believed to bring abundant rainfall, promising a bountiful harvest the following year.
Important days and dates in October 2023
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education