The Shardiya Navratras are here, so be ready to dive deep into those nine sacred days of devotion, fasting, and rituals. Navratri isn’t just about worship—it’s also about aligning ourselves with the cosmic energies and manifesting our goals. Navratras 2024 are extra special this time, with some interesting planetary movements to watch out for. So, let’s break down everything you need to know to have a fulfilling and prosperous Navratri.

What’s Navratri All About?

If you’re new to Navratri or need a refresher, it’s all about worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Over nine days, we honour her power, wisdom, and love, and in return, we seek her blessings for health, wealth, and happiness.

But it’s not just about the rituals—it’s also a time for personal reflection, fasting, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re performing daily puja or just taking a moment to reflect, this is a time to reset your energy and connect with the divine.

For the unversed, there are indeed two main types of Navratri festival celebrated in India:

Chaitra Navratri

• Timing: This Navratri occurs in the spring, during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).
• Significance: It is primarily celebrated in the southern states of India, such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. This Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shakti in her various forms, with each day of the nine nights representing a different aspect of the Divine Feminine. Chaitra Navratri also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.
• Celebrations: On the Mahanavami of Chaitra Navratri, Ram Navami is celebrated, marking the birth of Lord Rama.

Shardiya Navratri

• Timing: This Navratri takes place in the autumn, during the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October).
• Significance: It is celebrated across India and is considered the more widely recognised Navratri. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, who is believed to have descended from heaven to battle the demon Mahishasura.
• Celebrations: The nine nights of Shardiya Navratri are marked by elaborate rituals, including fasting, prayers, and the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga. The festival culminates on the tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which commemorates the victory of good over evil.

Navratri 2024 Calendar

Durga Puja Details and Rituals

 Key Muhuratas for Navratras 2024

Timing is everything. The same goes for Navratri rituals. Here are some key muhuratas you don’t want to miss:

• Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana (October 3): This is the official start of Navratri, where a sacred Kalash (a vessel symbolising Goddess Durga) is installed in homes or temples. The installation marks the beginning of the nine days of prayer and fasting. This ritual kicks off Navratri on the first day, and it’s important to do it during the most auspicious time, usually in the morning. This is on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 06:15 AM to 07:22 AM. You can also do it during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat, from 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM.

• Durga Ashtami and Kanya Puja (October 11): Celebrating the young girls who represent Goddess Durga is usually done on the eighth day. Kanya Pujan can be performed on October 11, 2024, from 7:51 AM and 10:41 AM and again from 1:30 PM to 2:55 PM.

• Dussehra or Vijayadashami (October 12): Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil, symbolised by Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga’s defeat of Mahishasura. The Dashami tithi begins at 10:58 AM on October 12, 2024, and ends at 09:08 AM on October 13, 2024. This year, Dussehra will be celebrated on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The auspicious Vijay Muhurat is from 02:03 PM to 02:49 PM.

Easy Rituals to Do at Home

You don’t need to be in a temple to celebrate Navratri—you can easily create a sacred space at home. Here’s how:

• Set Up a Small Altar: Place a picture or idol of Goddess Durga, along with a diya and incense.

• Ghatasthapana: Start your Navratri with this ritual—place a kalash filled with water and decorate it with mango leaves.

• Daily Worship: Light a diya in the morning and evening, offer flowers and fruits, and chant the Durga Saptashati or Durga mantra – “Om Dum Durgayei Namaha”

It’s about the intention, not how elaborate your setup is. As long as your heart is in it, you’re doing it right.

Food Recommendations for Navratri

Navratri fasting is not just about avoiding certain foods—it’s about purifying the body and mind. Here’s what you can eat while keeping things light and sattvic:

• Kuttu (Buckwheat): Use it for making puris or rotis.
• Sabudana (Tapioca): Perfect for khichdi or vadas.
• Fresh Fruits and Dairy: Think paneer, milk, and yoghurt.
• Root Vegetables: Potatoes and sweet potatoes are Navratri staples.
• Sendha Namak (Rock Salt): The only salt allowed during fasting.

The idea is to keep your meals light, nutritious, and clean to stay spiritually focused throughout the day.

General Fasting Guidelines for Navratri:

• Avoid tamasic foods like onion, garlic, and processed foods.
• Stick to sattvic foods that purify the mind and body.
• Hydrate well with coconut water, buttermilk, and lemon water.

Buying Property and Vehicle during Navratras 2024

• Buying a new vehicle – For those looking to purchase a new vehicle, the most auspicious time is on October 7, from 9:47 AM until 2:25 AM on October 8.

• Buying/registration of property – If you’re planning to buy land or property, the best time falls on October 10, starting from 6:19 AM and lasting until 5:41 AM on October 11.

Navratri remedies based on your zodiac sign

Find out your Moon sign and do these remedies during Navratras 2024 to attract prosperity:
Aries (Mesh Rashi)

• Planet: Mars
• Remedy: Offer red flowers to Goddess Durga daily to boost courage and confidence. Chant “Om Dum Durgayei Namaha” for protection and strength.
• Fasting Tip: Fast on the first day of Navratri and consume high-energy foods like fruits and nuts to keep Mars’ fiery energy balanced.

Taurus (Vrishabh Rashi)

• Planet: Venus
• Remedy: Offer white flowers and dairy products to the goddess, especially on Fridays, to attract peace and prosperity. Chant “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namaha” for financial stability.
• Fasting Tip: Fast on even days (Dwitiya, Chaturthi, Shashti) and consume dairy and sweet fruits, which align with Venus’ soothing energy.

Gemini (Mithun Rashi)

• Planet: Mercury
• Remedy: Chant the Saraswati Vandana daily to enhance wisdom and communication. Offer yellow flowers or fruits to the goddess to improve mental clarity and speech.
• Fasting Tip: Fasting on Wednesdays and consuming light, easily digestible foods like khichdi or sabudana will keep your mind and body in balance.

Cancer (Karka Rashi)

• Planet: Moon
• Remedy: Offer milk, rice, and white sweets to the goddess to invite emotional peace and harmony in the family. Chant “Om Chandraya Namaha” to stabilise emotions.
• Fasting Tip: Fast on Mondays or Pratipada and consume milk-based dishes to balance the moon’s emotional energy during Navratri.

Leo (Simha Rashi)

• Planet: Sun
• Remedy: Offer red or yellow flowers and chant “Om Hreem Surya Namaha” to increase vitality, power, and leadership qualities.
• Fasting Tip: Fasting on Sundays and Navami and consuming foods rich in vitamins and saffron-infused dishes will align you with the Sun’s powerful energy.

Virgo (Kanya Rashi)

• Planet: Mercury
• Remedy: Chant the Durga Saptashati to increase focus and intellectual sharpness. Offer green vegetables or green gram (moong dal) to the goddess for blessings in work and health.
• Fasting Tip: Fasting on Wednesdays, consuming light and green-colored foods like spinach and green fruits, will enhance Mercury’s positive energy.

Libra (Tula Rashi)

• Planet: Venus
• Remedy: Offer rose petals and chant “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namaha” for love and balance in relationships. Focus on harmony within personal connections.
• Fasting Tip: Fast on Fridays or even-numbered days, and include milk, sweets, and fruits in your diet to keep Venus’ energy harmonious.

Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi)

• Planet: Mars
• Remedy: Offer red flowers and sweets to strengthen your courage and energy. Chant “Om Angarakaya Namaha” to control temper and channel Mars’ intensity positively.
• Fasting Tip: Fasting on Tuesdays and consuming cooling foods like cucumbers and yoghurt will help balance Mars’ fiery nature during Navratri.

Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi)

• Planet: Jupiter
• Remedy: Offer yellow flowers and fruits to the goddess and chant “Om Gurave Namaha” to enhance wisdom, spirituality, and good fortune.
• Fasting Tip: Fast on Thursdays and consume yellow-coloured foods like bananas and turmeric-infused dishes to align with Jupiter’s expansive energy.

Capricorn (Makar Rashi)

• Planet: Saturn
• Remedy: Chant “Om Sham Shanicharaya Namaha” and offer black sesame seeds, mustard oil, and blue flowers to pacify Saturn and remove obstacles.
• Fasting Tip: Fasting on Saturdays and consuming light and simple foods like kuttu (buckwheat) will help balance Saturn’s heavy energy.

Aquarius (Kumbh Rashi)

• Planet: Saturn
• Remedy: Offer blue flowers and chant “Om Sham Shanicharaya Namaha” for peace and to remove karmic obstacles. Focus on self-discipline and spiritual practices.
• Fasting Tip: Fast on Saturdays and stick to light, fibre-rich foods like sabudana to help stabilise Saturn’s influence.

Pisces (Meen Rashi)

• Planet: Jupiter
• Remedy: Offer yellow sweets like laddoos or besan-based dishes to the goddess and chant “Om Brihaspataye Namaha” for spiritual growth and prosperity.
• Fasting Tip: Fasting on Thursdays or consuming yellow-coloured foods like mangoes and pumpkins helps channel Jupiter’s positive energy for wisdom and expansion.

Dos and Don’ts during Navratri 2024

Here are some important dos and don’ts during Navratri 2024 to help you observe the festival with spiritual focus and purity:

Do’s:

• Daily Worship: Perform puja twice a day, in the morning and evening, to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga. Chant mantras, light a diya, and offer flowers and fruits.
• Fasting: Follow a sattvic diet during Navratri. Eat fresh fruits, dairy products, and foods like sabudana, kuttu, and singhara. Fasting helps purify both the mind and body.
• Cleanliness: Maintain cleanliness at home and in the space where you perform the puja. This creates a sacred environment for the goddess to reside.
• Plant Jau (Barley): Planting jau on the first day of Navratri symbolizes growth and prosperity. It’s a common ritual to monitor the sprouting as a sign of blessings.
• Donation and Charity: Helping the needy by offering food, clothes, or donations during Navratri is considered very auspicious. It invites the goddess’s blessings and spreads good karma.
• Kanya Pujan: Worship young girls (Kanya) on the Ashtami or Navami day. They are believed to represent the goddess, and honoring them brings prosperity and happiness.
• Wear Clean and Light-Colored Clothes: Wearing fresh, light-colored, or traditional clothes, especially during puja, is encouraged. White, red, or yellow are considered auspicious.

Don’ts:

• Avoid Non-Vegetarian Food: Stay away from meat, fish, and eggs during Navratri. These are considered tamasic and lower the spiritual energy.
• No Onion and Garlic: Avoid foods containing onion and garlic, as they are also tamasic and are believed to disturb spiritual focus during fasting and worship.
• Refrain from Alcohol and Smoking: Consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited during Navratri. These habits are considered impure and can diminish the positive energy of the festival.
• Avoid Cutting Nails or Hair: Traditionally, it’s advised not to cut hair or nails during Navratri, as it is believed to interfere with the spiritual sanctity of the body.
• Don’t Be Disrespectful: Maintain positive thoughts and actions. Avoid any arguments, fights, or negative behavior during Navratri, as this is a time for spiritual upliftment.
• Avoid Sleeping in the Afternoon: To maintain spiritual energy, it is advised to avoid sleeping during the day. Instead, engage in chanting, meditation, or other peaceful activities.
• Do Not Use Leather Items: Avoid using leather products such as belts, shoes, or bags, as these are made from animal products and are not considered pure during Navratri.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Navratras 2024!