The special time of the year is here. One of the biggest Hindu festivals is just around the corner and we already can’t keep calm. This year Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated from March 22 to March 20. Every year Chaitra Navratri is celebrated during March or Aril. It is the time when the nine avatars of Maa Durga are worshiped with fasts and festivals. The rituals observed during Chaitra Navratri are similar to those observed during Sharadiya Navratri, which is celebrated in September or October. In West Bengal, Sharadiya Navratri is also known as Durga Puja.
During Chaitra Navratri – a nine-day festival, nine forms of Maa Durga are worshiped on each day of the festival. The nine incarnations of Goddess Durga are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri.
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As we gear up to celebrate the festival, let’s take a look at the different bhogs offered to the nine forms of Maa Durga on each day of Chaitra Navratri:
day 1: On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, mother Shailputri is worshiped by offering desi ghee at the feet of the goddess. It is believed that the offerings can bless the devotee with a life free from disease and pain.
second day: Maa Brahmacharini is a lover of simple food and indulgence, so sugar and fruits are offered to the goddess. It is believed to bestow longevity to the family members.
day 3: On the third day of the festival, milk, sweets and kheer are offered to the fiery avatar of Maa Durga. Maa Chandraghanta is believed to ride a lion and destroy all evils.
day 4Maa Kushmanda is believed to have created the entire universe – also known as Brahmanda. Devotees keep a fast on this day and offer Malpua to the Goddess.
day 5: On the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Shandamata is worshiped by offering bananas. It is believed that bhog can keep the devotees healthy and fit.
day 6: On the sixth day of the festival, honey is offered as bhog to Maa Katyayani – the sixth incarnation of Maa Durga.
day 7: Maa Kalratri is offered sweets made of jaggery and jaggery. This Prasad is also offered to Brahmins on the seventh day.
day 8: On the eighth day, Maa Mahagauri is worshiped by offering coconut as bhog to Maa Mahagauri.
day 9: On the ninth and last day of the festival, Maa Siddhidatri is offered Til or Sesame seeds. It is believed that the goddess blesses the devotees and protects them and their family members from unfortunate incidents.
