Important Tips to keep in mind during Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu festival worshiping the goddess Durga and her nine forms. The name Navaratri comes from two words which mean nine nights. These nine days are considered most auspicious and celebrated with all zeal and devotion. Follow these essential tips during Navratri to make yourself the traditional way and enjoy the essence of spirituality as well as culture.

Take a Sattvic Diet

Fasting is a general concept during Navratri and many devotees prefer to eat a Sattvic (pure), simple and nutritious diet which involves exclusion of certain ingredients. Don’t forget to keep in mind:

1. Non-Vegetarian Food is avoided (meaning, meat, fish and eggs are kept off the menu as a gesture of purity.
2. Onion, garlic are considered as tamasic (impure), so these ingredients should eschew during the nine days of Navratri.
3. You can eat only certain substances while fasting like buckwheat flour (kuttu), water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), amaranth (rajgira), and tapioca (sabudana)etc. Also, fresh fruits, milk, yogurt, and potatoes are widely consumed.
4. These days it is important to keep ourselves healthy and hydrated all day long. Eat more of fruits, drink lot of fruit juices or consume more milk-based products so that you maintain energy levels during fasting.
5. Eat fresh home-cooked meals as they are more aligned with the spiritual goals and physical challenges of fasting.

Prayers and Worship Daily

Pujas to be done twice daily, usually in association with the prayers of the deity idol or picture. Keep flowers, fruits, sweets and aarti.

1. Chanting Durga Saptashati, Durga Chalisa are other mantras dedicated to Goddess durga. Each form of Durga has a special mantra, and chanting that mantra can bring blessings.
2. On the first day of Navratri, devotees set up a Kalash (holy pot) symbolizing the universe and Goddess Durga’s power. It is worshipped throughout the nine days.
3. Be aware the importance of each day and offer prayers accordingly. For instance:
   • Day 1: Mata Shailaputri (Daughter of the Mountain)
   • Day 2: Mata Brahmacharini (Goddess of Penance)
   • Day 3: Mata Chandraghanta (Goddess of Peace)
   • Day 4: Mata Kushmanda (Goddess of Creation)
   • Day 5: Mata Skandamata (Mother of Skanda)
   • Day 6: Mata Katyayani (Warrior Goddess)
   • Day 7: Mata Kalaratri (Goddess of Destruction)
   • Day 8: Mata Mahagauri (Goddess of Purity)
   • Day 9: Mata Siddhidatri (Goddess of Supernatural Powers)

Traditional and Cultural Practices

1. Most of the people prefer wearing certain colors on each day as per the significance of that particular day. Locate a tradition or practice in your area to research.
2. You can participate in traditional dance performances (Garba) that Indians and specially Gujaratis do during festival season, Celebrating joy and devotion. These are not only cultural celebrations but also expressions of reverence for the goddess.

Essential Items Keep Handy

1. Flowers, Kumkum, Sandalwood, Incense, Diya, Turmeric, Rice and many more after you varnish it place everything in safe corner. Then store them in a specific place or tray.
2. If you dress up traditional clothing during pooja than make sure your clothes and accessories are ready for the nine days in advance.

Be Connected with Family Traditions

1. If you have particular family customs, prepare a checklist of them as specific pooja timings, specific bhajans, specific sweet to serve, etc.
2. If you are distantly connected with your family, arrange virtual gatherings and poojas to be part of your family.

Themes and Decorations

1. Some people change decorations every day to represent a color that is associated with one form of the Goddess. Prepare decorations ahead of time.
2. Fresh flowers and rangolis are often part of the celebration. Record the flowers or patterns you want for each day.

Prasad and Bhog

1. Plan the prasad or bhog(indian food offering) that has to be prepared for every day. The offerings most commonly include kheer, halwa, or mishri in a thali made from dried leaves, but by tradition any non-chana (chickpea) ingredients are considered acceptable.
2. Create a list and ensure that you give prasad to friends and maximum neighbors.

Stay Focused Spiritually

1. Navratri is a time to think positive and go within. Keep trying to stay positive and avoid any type of negativity that can be done.
2. Some cook food or give donation to the poor/needy in Navratri. Write down a listing of any companies or humans you need to help.

Conclusion

Every year we get a divine chance to grow spiritually, control ourselves and be one with the divine in form of Navratri. When you do your part in performing the traditional rituals, fasting, meditating and offering good deeds, only then you justify the importance of this holy festival. On each day of these nine days try to concentrate on devotion, emanating positive thoughts into the universe, makes you observe Navratri and not just celebrate it but also get absorbed with the real message in mind which is about negation and deliverance from all vices.