Navratri 2017 Dates & Information

Navratri is known to be the most auspicious days of the year. It is considered as an important event among Hindus all over India. The main two navratras are Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Within these 9 days, Goddess Durga visits her devotees and bless them with good fortune. To know more about Navratri, read on..

What Is Navratri?

Navratri is the time when the universal mother, Goddess Durga is worshiped. The Goddess is known as the remover of sufferings and troubles of life. According to the beliefs, it is the energy of Maa Durga, which carries out the continuous cycle of creation, conservation, and demolition of the universe. During Navratri, you can also worship Goddess Durga, and her nine forms to get her blessings. So, keep Navratri fasts and please Goddess Durga to get your wishes fulfilled.

Types Of Navratras

As per the Hindu Panchang, 5 types of Navratras are celebrated every year. Let's take a look at the names of these Navratras, along with their dates for 2017.

• Paush Gupt Navratri (December 26, 2017 to January 2, 2018)
• Ashadha Gupt Navratri (June 24 to July 3, 2017)
• Magha Gupt Navratri (January 28 to February 6, 2017)
• Chaitra Navratri (March 28 to April 5, 2017)
• Sharada Navratri (September 21 to September 30, 2017)

Let us now each of these 5 Navratras in detail.

Sharad Navratri 2017

Sharad Navratri is the main and most powerful Navratri in the year. In 2017, Sharad Navratri will be celebrated from September 21 to September 30. Sharad Navratri is popularly known as 'Garba Navratri', as the traditional dance, Garba is played on this Navratri. Ashwin Navratri and Maha Navratri are the other names of Sharada Navratri. Last day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated with zeal & zest, as Vijayadashami or Dussehra is celebrated on this very day. West Bengal celebrates 'Durga Puja' during the last four days of Sharad Navratri. If we talk about North India, Sharad Navratri is the time to conduct and enjoy 'Ramlila'. The nine forms of Shakti is worshiped during Sharad Navratri are:

• Durga
• Bhadrakali
• Amba/Jagdamba
• Annapoorna Devi
• Sarvamangala
• Bhairavi
• Chandika/Chandi
• Lalita
• Bhavani
• Mookambika

Take a look at the dates & days of Sharada Navratri 2017.

Chaitra Navratri 2017

Chaitra Navratri is second most powerful Navratri in the year. This year, i.e. in 2017, Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated from March 28 to April 5. Also known as Vasant Navratri or Basant Navratri, this Navratri is observed in the spring season. Chaitra Navratri commences on the first day of Chaitra month and ends with celebration of Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama . Chaitra Navratri is the time to witness change in the climate, as 'Summers' start with Chaitra Navratri.

Let's take a look at Chaitra Navratri 2017 days & dates:

Day	Tithi	Event	Date
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 1	Amavasya, Prathama	Maa Shailputri Puja, Ghatasthapana	28th March
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 2	Dwitiya	Maa Brahmacharini Puja	29th March
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 3	Tritiya	Maa Chandraghanta Puja	30th March
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 4	Chaturthi	Maa Kushmanda Puja	31st March
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 5	Panchami	Maa Skandamata Puja	1st April
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 6	Shashti	Maa Katyayani Puja	2nd April
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 7	Saptami	Maa Kalaratri Puja	3rd April
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 8	Ashtami	Maa MahaGauri Puja	4th April
Chaitra Navratri 2017 Day 9	Navami	Maa Siddhidatri Puja, Navratri Parana, Ram Navami	5th April

This Navratri is observed mostly in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017

Gupt Navratri is known for Tantric Pujas and other esoteric Hindu practices. Dates of Ashadha Gupt Navratri for this year are June 24 to July 3, 2017. Ashadha Navratri is popularly known as Gupt Navratri or Gayatri Navratri. It is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha by the women of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Ashadha Gupt Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Varahi, one of the seven Matrikas (group of Hindu Goddesses). In Himachal Pradesh, Ashadha Gupt Navratri is known as Guhya Navratri.

Take a look at the days & dates of Ashadha Gupt Navratri 2017:

Day	Event	Tithi	Date
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 1	Amavasya	Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja	24th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 2	Dwitiya	Brahmacharini Puja	25th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 3	Tritiya	Chandraghanta Puja	26th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 4	Chaturthi	Kushmanda Puja	27th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 5	Panchami	Skandamata Pujan	28th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 6	Shashthi	Katyayani Puja	29th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 7	Saptami	Kalaratri Pujan	30th June
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 8	Ashtami	Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Pujan, Sandhi Puja	1st July
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 9	Navami	Siddhidatri Pujan	2nd July
Ashadha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 10	Dashmi	Navratri Parana	3rd July

Magha Gupta Navratri 2017

January 28 to February 6 are the dates to observe Magha Navratri in 2017. Magha Gupta Navratri falls during Magha Shukla Paksha and is also known as Shishir Navratri. It is believed that this Navratri is very auspicious for the Sadhakas and Tantriks. During the period of this Navratri, one achieves really powerful and effective Tantric powers; hence, Magha Gupta Navratri is the time for Tantric practices.

Have a look at the days and dates of Magha Gupt Navratri 2017:

Day	Tithi	Event	Date
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 2	Dwitiya	Brahmacharini Puja	29th January
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 3	Tritiya	Chandraghanta Puja,	30th January
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 4	Chaturthi	Kushmanda Puja	31st January
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 5	Panchami	Skandamata Puja	1st February
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 6	Shashthi	Katyayani Puja	2nd February
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 7	Saptami	Kalaratri Puja	3rd February
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 8	Ashtami	Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Sandhi Puja	4th February
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 9	Navami	Siddhidatri Puja	5th February
Magha Gupta Navratri 2017 Day 10	Dashami	Navratri Parana	6th February

Paush Gupta Navratri 2017

Paush Navratri will commence on December 26, 2017 and will be celebrated till January 2, 2018. Paush Gupta Navratri falls during Paush Shukla Paksha. As this Navratri is devoted to Maa Shakambri, it is also known as Shakambhari Navratri. Paush Gupt Navratri is celebrated mostly in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Hence, on the auspicious occasion of Navratri in 2017, you can also worship these nine forms of Devi Maa and earn her blessings.

Goddess Of Each Day Of Navratri

Be it any of the five Navratris, the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshiped on each Navratri are same. Let's talk about all these 9 Avatars of Maa Durga.

Goddess Of Each Day

1. Goddess Shailputri

Navratri commences with worshipping of Shailputri . The goddess is the first form of Durga and rides on a bull with a trident and lotus in her hands.

Mantra: Om aim hring kleem chamundaye vichche.

2. Maa Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini signifies love, affection and loyalty. Also, known as the storehouse of wisdom and knowledge, the Devi holds a rosary and Kumbha (water pot) in her hands. Her sacred ornaments are the beads of Rudraksha.

Mantra: Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupen Sansthita |

Namastasye Namastasye Namastasye Namoh Namah ||

3. Devi Chandraghanta

The goddess got her name as she has a half- circular moon on her forehead. With a golden colored look, the Goddess has 3 eyes and 10 hands. Chandraghanta is the goddess of peace and tranquillity and is mostly worshipped in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Mantra: Ya Devi Sarvbhoote Shumaa Chandra-Ghanta-Rupen Sansthita|

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah||

4. Goddess Kushmanda

Kushmanda resides in Bhima Parvat and shines as the aura of sun. Her vehicle is a tiger and she has eight arms.

Mantra : Sura Sampurna Kalasam Rudhira Plutmev Cha |

Dadhana Hastpad Mabhyam Kushmanda Shubh Dastu Me ||

5. Skanda Mata:

The ocean of knowledge is this goddess who sits with her skanda (son) in her lap. She has 4 hands and 3 eyes, the Skanda Mata rides on a lion.

Mantra: Sinhasan Gata Nityam Padmashrit Kardvaya |

Shubhdastu Sada Devi Skanda Mata Yashashvini ||

6. Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani is known to bless the women with husband of their wish and choice. Observing fast for the Goddess is very helpful for the women whose marriage is getting delayed. Devi Katyayani gives strength and ability to overcome fears, diseases and miseries of life.

Mantra: Chandra Hasojvalakara Shardul Var Vahna |

Katyayini Shubham Dadhya Devi Dan Vaghatini ||

7. Maa Kaalratri

Maa Kalratri is the destroyer of ignorance and the enemy of darkness. She has black or blue appearance. The goddess has a donkey as her vehicle.

Mantra: Ekveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharastitha |

Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirani ||

Vaampadolla Salloh Lata Kanthak Bhushna |

Vardhan Murdha Dhvaja Krishna Kalratri Bhayankari ||

8. Maha Gauri

Maha Gauri shines as white as Moon and believed to be the Devi of compassion and peace. Riding on a bull, Maha Gauri holds a trident and drum in her hands.

Mantra: Shwete Vrishe Maha Rudha Shwetambardhara Shuchih |

Maha Gauri Shubham Dadhyanmahadev Pramodada ||

9. Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri is the Goddess who gives Shakti (power) to lord Shiva. It is because of her gratitude only that the lord became Ardhanarishvara (half men and half women).

Mantra: Sidhha Gandharvay khshadher Surair Marair Api |

Sevya Mana Sada Bhooyat Siddhida Siddhidayini ||

Puja Materials

This Navratri, worship Maa Durga with complete devotion and enthusiasm. We have make sure that you don't miss out any of the essentials needed for Navratri Puja. To know the Puja materials for this Navratri, check out the following points:

1. Shingar items for Maa Durga include red bangles, bindi, sindoor, red chunri, mehndi, kajal, red lipstick, anklets, mirror and nail polish.
2. Lamp (Diya) which burns throughout the Navratri days. It is known as Akhand jyot which wards off all the evil spirits.
3. Coconut with its thin edge toward the temple.
4. Kalash (earthen pot) is kept which is kept in the Puja room. It is filled with 5 Suparis (betel nuts), water, rice, sugar and a coin. A red color sacred thread is tied on the Kalash.

Navratri Fast

To begin the fast, the observer takes shower in the morning and wears neat and clean clothes. Durga Mata is worshipped and Aarti is done. Dry fruits of 5 types, fruits, mishri and milk are offered to the Goddess as Bhog. After this, devotees can take the food meant for Navratri. In the evening, Puja is done again and Aarti is done with lighting incense sticks (Agarbatti). Be ready to keep the Navratri fast in 2017 in the best way so that goddess accepts all your prayers and get them fulfilled in 2017.

Bhoga For The 9 Days

The nine different forms of Goddess Durga are served up with different Bhogas (food) for all the nine days. Here are the Bhogas for all the nine days:

• 1st day : Ghee is offered to Goddess Shailputri
• 2nd day : Sugar is offered to Maa Brahmacharini
• 3rd day : Milk/ sweets prepared from milk/ kheer
• 4th day : Malpua
• 5th day : Banana
• 6th day : Honey
• 7th day : Jaggery (Gur)
• 8th day : Coconut
• 9th day : Til (sesame seeds)

Food To Be Avoided During Navratri

During Navratri, several food items are avoided by the people observing fast. These food items are:

• Onion and garlic
• Legumes and lentils Common salt is not used and in place of it rock salt (sendha namak) is used.
• Turmeric (haldi), fenugreek seeds (methi dana), asafoetida (hing), mustard (sarson or rai), dhania powder (coriander powder) and garam masala
• Alcohol and non-vegetarian food

Navratri Attractions

Navratri is the time for celebrations. Though, each state of the country celebrates Navratri according to its traditions and customs, but the two main highlights of Navratri are: Garba and Durga Puja. Let's throw some light on both these widely celebrated traditions.

Kolkata's Durga Puja

Kolkata celebrates Navratri with charm of Durga Puja. Grand celebrations are held in the honor of Maa Durga. Huge Pandals and statues of the Devi are arranged for people to assemble and worship the Goddess. Idols of the Goddess are installed in every home, community and society to seek the blessing of Maa. People of every age and caste enjoy the rituals to the fullest by mixing in the colourful joyous ambience.

Click here to know Durga Puja according to your zodiac sign - Durga Puja

Gujarat's Garba

In Gujarat, the major highlight of Navratri is the time for traditional music and popular folk dance, Garba. Gujarati community welcome Navratri with cheer, laughter, gathering and festive mood. Dressed in traditional wears and with colourful sticks (Dandia) in hands, Garba is accompanied with singing and music. The sticks or Dandia used in Garba depict the sword of Maa Durga. Colorful embroidered Cholis, Bandhani Dupattas, Ghagra and the sparkling jewelry adorned by women are the captivating features of this traditional dance.

Difference Between Garba & Dandiya

Most of us are always confused about Dandiya and Garba and co-relate the two. We would like to break the confusion by telling you that Garba is performed before the Aarti; whereas, Dandiya is performed after the Aarti. Also, Garba includes only women, on the other hand, Dandiya is performed by women as well as men.

Enjoy Garba with the best Navratri Garba songs - Garba Songs

Navratri Delicacies

How can we miss out his grand celebration of Navratri in 2017 without discussing the dishes for these nine days. Devotees of Durga offer prayers to the goddess and observe fast to invoke her blessings. While strict observers consume only fruits and milk; whereas, partial observers consume on the following ravishing delicacies:

• Kutu Paratha/ Pakora
• Rajasi Aaloo
• Sabudana Kheer/Vada/Tikki
• Fruit raita/ fruits
• Arbi Laziz
• Vrat ke chawal
• Makhana/ Dry fruits
• Coconut/ coconut milk
• Milk and milk products prepared at home

Popular Navratri Songs

Double up the celebrations this Navratri in 2017, with some of the very popular Navratri songs:

• Aao Meri Sherawali Maa
• Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali
• Aaja Maa Tenu Akhiyan Udik Diya
• Aaja Maa Ghar Mere

Colors To Wear On Each Day

Navratri is not only the time to offer prayers to Maa Durga, but is also the time to wear nine different colors. Have a look at each of these colors and make your Navratri different, ethnic, and colorful.

Day 1 : Grey
Day 2: Orange
Day 3 : White
Day 4 : Red
Day 5 : Blue
Day 6 : Yellow
Day 7: Green
Day 8 : Peacock green
Day 9 : Purple

We hope that this article must have boosted your knowledge regarding all the 5 Navratras celebrated every year. With this article on Navratri 2017, please Goddess Durga and her manifestations to earn her blessings and Shakti for a fearless and successful life.

We wish you all a very Happy Navratri!

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