Navratri is celebrated across the country among the Hindus with great pomp and fervour. Chaitra Navratri is especially observed in the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra (March and April) and holds significant cultural and spiritual importance. Lasting for nine days, the festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine incarnations. This year, the festival will begin on April 9 and end on April 17.
Chaitra Navratri is considered an auspicious time for spiritual renewal, cleansing, and seeking the blessings of the divine. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness, righteousness over wickedness, and knowledge over ignorance. Nine forms of Durga are worshipped for nine days and different bhogs are offered to the nine incarnations. Special offerings are made to please each goddess, to provide relief from problems, and provide happiness and wealth.
Here is a complete detail of what is offered to nine goddesses during the puja. Take a look:
- Maa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri likes white and pure edible foods. This is the reason why on the first day of Navratri, white things are offered to please Goddess Shailputri. The prasad symbolises that if the family wants a healthy life and a healthy body, they offer white things made from pure cow’s ghee to the mother.
- Maa Bhramhacharini
On the second day of Navratri, Goddess Bhramhacharini is worshipped and is offered sugar candy, sugar, and Panchamrit. Maa Bhramhacharini likes pure sweets like sugar candy representing love and knowledge to win her blessings.
- Maa Chandraghanta
Devotees pay homage to Maa Chandraghanta to fulfill their desires and liberation from worldly sufferings. During puja, Maa is offered milk and milk products. These may include sweets from kheer, rasgulla, or dry fruits.
- Maa Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day and the Devi is offered Malpua as prasad. Malpua is made from desi ghee and after puja is offered to a Brahmin as a Prasad. Fasting on this day is believed to alleviate all ailments and sufferings of the devotee. Offering malpua symbolises power and health and is thought to improve the intellect and decisiveness of the devotees.
- Maa Skandamata
Goddess worshipped on the Panchami Tithi likes banana as prasad. After worshipping the Goddess, bananas are offered in front of her. Along with bananas, you can also offer other fruits. Maa Skandamata is worshipped for a healthy mental and physical body. The prasad after puja is offered to Brahmin.
- Maa Katyayani
Maa Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She is the daughter of Sage Katyayan. The Goddess is worshipped by offering pure honey in honour to fulfill the devotees’ lives with beauty and sweetness.
- Maa Kalratri
This Goddess is regarded as fierce and indomitable and is worshipped on the seventh day. This incarnation of Goddess Durga is renowned for dispelling evil forces. The goddess is offered jaggery as sacred prasad which is also presented to Brahmins along with dakshin. The prasad symbolises to erase long-standing sorrows and brings happiness.
- Maa Mahagauri
Astami is the day when Maa Mahagauri is worshipped. The goddess is offered coconut or sweets made from coconut which is thought to aid fertility and bless childless couples with children.
- Maa Siddhidatri
Maa Siddhidatri is believed to grant fulfillment of all desires, signifying accomplishments. On this day, devotees observe a day-long fast and break their fast with the prasad offered to the Goddess. The goddess is offered sesame seeds or til ki laddoo, or sesame-based sweets, symbolising protection and enlightenment.