Lucknow: The auspicious festival of Navratri begins today, marking nine days of devotion dedicated to Goddess Durga. Devotees across the country are preparing to observe fasts, perform rituals, and seek divine blessings for prosperity and well-being.
Religious experts and priests have outlined key practices to follow during Navratri to ensure spiritual discipline and maximize the benefits of worship.
What to Do During Navratri
Devotees are advised to maintain purity in both body and mind throughout the nine days. Using red-colored clothes, flowers, and prayer mats is considered auspicious, as red is associated with Goddess Durga.
Lighting a lamp in the morning and evening at home or in temples is an essential ritual. Many devotees also recite sacred texts such as the Durga Saptashati and Durga Chalisa while offering prayers. Performing daily aarti with devotion and offering fresh flower garlands to the deity is encouraged.
Fasting is commonly observed during Navratri, either fully or partially, depending on individual capacity. Maintaining celibacy and leading a disciplined lifestyle are also recommended. Some devotees choose to sleep on the floor as part of their spiritual practice.
Special significance is given to Kanya Pujan (worship of young girls) on Ashtami or Navami. Devotees invite young girls into their homes, offer them food, and seek their blessings. Lighting a continuous sacred flame (Akhand Jyoti) throughout the festival is also considered highly auspicious.
What to Avoid During Navratri
Devotees are advised to avoid consuming tamasic foods such as onion and garlic during the nine days. Maintaining a sattvic diet is considered essential for spiritual purity.
Cutting hair, shaving, trimming nails, and excessive use of sharp objects like scissors are generally discouraged during this period. People are also advised to refrain from negative behaviors such as gossip, dishonesty, and greed, and instead focus on prayers and positive thoughts.
It is also recommended not to offer grain-based food items as offerings in temples during the fasting period, depending on traditional practices followed by families.
As Navratri begins, temples and homes are filled with devotion and festive spirit, with people praying for peace, prosperity, and happiness under the blessings of Goddess Durga.
