Share
After the Kalash sthapna or ghatsthapna and worship of Maa Shailputri on the first day of Navratri, the second day starts with an overwhelming sense of devotion and purity. People get up early to get ready to worship Maa Brahmacharini. Taking a bath in the morning at the start of the day is a way to clean the body and soul. After this, prayers are said with great respect to the goddess. Putting holy Ganga Jal over the seeds that were planted in a clay pot is an important ritual that means the start of a new life and the growth of spiritual knowledge. During this auspicious time, devotees also go to temples to pray and attend kirtans and paaths. Some people even hold kirtans at home and invite family and friends to sing spiritual songs for the goddess.
Maa Brahmacharini, the unmarried form of Goddess Parvati, is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. The word Brahmacharini refers to someone who follows the strict rules of purity and divine. Maa Brahmacharini represents the hard sacrifice that Goddess Parvati made. Goddess Parvati was born at King Himavanth's house after she finished her Kushmanda form. According to Drik Panchang, she was a great Sati in this form, and her unmarried form ended up being worshipped as Goddess Brahmacharini. A japamala (prayer beads) and a kamandalu (water pot) are shown in her hands. The incarnation form of Maa Durga stands for the search for truth, knowledge, and tapa (penance).
Rituals
Devotees worship Maa Brahmacharini on the second day of Navratri, praying for her guidance as they seek inner wisdom and develop their faith. Rituals done on this day help clean the mind, body, and soul, getting on the path of spiritual experiences in the days to come. To worship Maa Brahmacharini, devotees perform a special puja. There are flowers and incense and lights lit for her. The bhog (offering) also consists of various fruits and ghee sweets. It is believed to be very auspicious to recite the Durga Saptashati and the Durga Chalisa, mantras to Maa Brahmacharini.
Timings
The Dwitiya Tithi (second day) for the puja begins at 01:15 AM on October 16, 2023, and concludes at 01:28 AM on October 17, 2023. It falls during the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashwina. White is the colour linked with rituals honouring Maa Brahmacharini.
