Happy Navratri!
Navratri
Sun, Mar 30, 2025 – Mon, Apr 7, 2025
What is Chaitra Navratri?
Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her various forms. The word "Navratri" comes from Sanskrit:
Nava (नव) = "Nine"
Ratri (रात्रि) = "Night"
It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, spiritual growth, and the divine feminine energy (Shakti).
There are four Navratris in a year, but the two most significant ones are:
Chaitra Navratri (March-April)
Sharad Navratri (September-October)
Arranging the Navratri Altar
Step 1: Clean and purify the space where the altar will be set up
Step 2: Place the idol or image of Goddess Durga in the center of the altar. You can print an image of her if you do not have one
Step 3: Arrange flowers, incense, and candles
Step 4: Keep fruits, sweets, and other food offerings on a clean plate at the altar
Step 5: Light the diya or candle, incense sticks when you would like to. I like to in the morning and evening at sunrise and sunset
Setting a Sankalpa (deep intention) for the 9 days of celebration
You can set your Sankalpa internally or write it down in your journal or on a piece of paper and set the Sankalpa on your altar
Mantra - Each day has a specific mantra, I’ve pasted the YouTube link to the daily mantra below in the schedule. As my teacher has shared with me, whether you listen or chant the mantra, the mantra does the same work.
Spotify Playlist - I’ve also made a Navratri Playlist on Spotify with some Mantra and Goddess songs.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Xb9hcmPZqPf71Z8Ws0qqg?si=H7RpQhEBR9yDmk-Lnyt69Q&pi=CPe73IfTR3Kg0
Schedule - Below is the Schedule with mantras and colors for the day. There are also rituals added as an option. Find the simplest form that supports where you are and your schedule. The most important part of celebrating Navratri is your intention of showing up to your altar and or Sadhana each day in reverence to the Goddess. That could mean a short and sweet practice for example - lighting your candle, saying your Sankalpa and blowing your candle out. Each day has a significant color, you can dress in this color or place the color on your altar. Also please tune into your intuition and listen to your inner guidance of how you’d like to celebrate each day. We all have this ancient wisdom welded inside of us.
Fasting - There is an option for fasting during Navratri. Kitchari fast or Ayurvedic recipes. Listening to your body and what works best for you. I fast every Monday with Kitchari, you could choose one or two days if you feel called to that. My dear sister Stephanie who is also here celebrating Navratri with us has an amazing recipe box on her website if you are looking to add Ayurveda into these 9 days of celebration.
Santosha Path Recipe Box - https://www.santoshapath.com/recipe-box
Also Stephanie provides this amazing cleanse packet on her Patreon, if you decided to do the 3 day cleanse within Navratri, I highly recommend this. I’ve done it twice, and it’s filled with the most beautiful recipes and helpful teachings for the three day cleanse.
WhatsApp - Please feel open to share your altar, practices, songs, questions on our WhatsApp group
Mantra - (This mantra can be used for the entire 9 days)
Om Dum Durgayei Namaha: This mantra eliminates negativity to attract prosperity & success
Pronunciation: https://youtu.be/jB4aaP2X7S4?si=s_YsolDCGTIOVEmy
Cleopatra Bath (optional)
Throughout the celebration I have added these baths to my practices. This practice comes from one of my teachers who not only studies Yoga but also studies practices with Isis the divine Goddess of Egypt
Cleopatra Bath
Ball Jar
Coconut Milk
Honey
Salt
Roses or other flowers
Pour coconut milk into the jar, along with the honey and a pinch of salt, pick your flower petals and place them into your jar. Shake the jar to inspire the honey to move away from the bottom
Make your bath
Step into your bath and when you are ready, hold your jar, set an intention to connected with the divine goddess within you, pour your jar of milk over your body, and rub the milk into your skin
Immerse yourself in this romantic, luxurious bath
Romanticize yourself by reading poetry, listening to music, eating berries in the bath.
Schedule
Day 1 - Sunday March 30th
Form of Durga: Shailputri: Goddess Shailputri symbolizes purity and devotion
Chakra: Root Chakra - Muladhara
Ritual: Offer white flowers, meditate on stability/grounding
Color: Yellow
Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
https://youtu.be/O6QjuovVu1A?si=s8eTJdVoMRTcwWUV
Day 2 - Monday March 31st
Form of Durga: Brahmacharini Puja: Goddess Brahmacharini signifies penance and wisdom
Chakra: Sacral Chakra: Svadhisthana
Ritual: Meditate for self-discipline and focus
Color: Green
Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah
https://youtu.be/XNGjls9Fqew?si=syonJvfqgJ1UP9B6
Day 3 - Tuesday April 1st
Chandraghanta Puja: Goddess Chandraghanta represents courage and grace
Chakra: Solar Plexus Chakra - Manipura
Ritual: Chant and listen to mantra for protection from negativity
Color: Grey
Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah
https://youtu.be/kQIZ_bKPz38?si=Y-jUSNXpPauXi0BM
DAY 4- Wednesday April 2nd
Kushmanda Puja: Goddess Kushmanda is the source of creative energy
Chakra: Heart Chakra - Anahata
Ritual: Meditate on personal strength and positivity
Color: Orange
Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
https://youtu.be/tLHxfE9BftA?si=BybEg1LHYtb_sUPU
Day 5 - Thursday April 3rd
Skandamata Puja: Goddess Skandamata blesses devotees with wisdom
Chakra: Throat Chakra - Vishuddha
Ritual: Pray for knowledge and clarity
Color: White
Mantra: Skandanta Mata
https://youtu.be/cmBMhBs_9fw?si=-RPyrF-xAPV52Dbg
Day 6 - Friday April 4th
Katyayani Puja: Goddess Katyayani is the warrior goddess of love and justice
Chakra: Third Eye Chakra - Ajna
Ritual: Pray for strength in relationships and fairness
Color: Red
Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah
https://youtu.be/UigbewPpPrY?si=9oQHXN2C0SlhZIE9
DAY 7- Saturday April 5th
Kalaratri Puja: Goddess Kalaratryai removes darkness and fear.
Chakra: Crown Chakra - Sahasrara
Ritual: Meditate on releasing negativity
Color: Royal Blue
Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
https://youtu.be/eFYIof3OzQ4?si=efsafzjsBPj6UX3u
Day 8 - Sunday April 6th
Mahagauri Puja (Ashtami) - Goddess Mahagauri represents purity and forgiveness
Chakra: Crown Chakra - Sahasrara
Ritual: Offering to our young goddesses - make an offering to young women
Color: Pink
Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
https://youtu.be/blUCSDcoMoo?si=IKOEqmmH3sKtx71Z
Day 9 - Monday April 7th
Siddhidatri Puja: Goddess Siddhidatri grants spiritual enlightenment
Chakra: Crown Chakra - Sahasrara
Ritual: Conclude the fast with a grand puja and seek blessings
Color: Purple
Mantra:Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah
https://youtu.be/5icjUBtc2Sk?si=0IMesa7U-NwjQgHQ
Final Puja - (Please have on hand):
Items from your altar
Bowl of water
Smaller bowl to pour water over your altar items
Drying towel
Towel to set items on
Candles and Incense
Flowers (optional)
Prasad - oranges, apples, dried fruit and nuts (optional)
Sandalwood paste (optional)
You can order this from amazon or go to Tumeric the Indian grocery store and sometimes they have it. https://www.amazon.com/SAI-MART-Sandalwood-Darshan-Chandan/dp/B095L1RCHZ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2MH4FCW8PYZ7W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rOVZwjTnChwqmiXrUojDn_WwipAcIO_1c4lNFyBj8j5VufZ_01iQtt3VsOWyqF-_8o-T74bHbc7rX2b4IDJk2Pe4w6nbO-NEev_8Ca1-RTfVDG5xs53qirZTcYhe5nAWOBW5CYEsWbLayT4PBHQiNCVmV1r6U-N8E4-suUOtVUfOnVliHFnK_5sHT9NkrFy6trPsPW8KB6oe23bRnG2ZIuVOhyQMw65_dorhChXWfh4GtH_I7yhfmthzdilHqIJ_3ZYPCrrMGhHzdhMwHs4mlyxc9HbVk10JuF7jiUpE1VfIymFEWxOMscfV7CQvGYsVnGigDicAV24Gm9QPl0YOhtFgT6-NzUmPZIxpYEqkI4z4edWN5zFsAqD0O3o-TgsIsTIrpmB-u3NS2LfbA1UkAPdumWSqr8oLESmB-MLQDQrVILc3vBBnXd-LEmF-ouTr.1gnhGa4m1FvCxBSt7GY4dFUdPhMclBg8l4JJ9dkrN7g&dib_tag=se&keywords=sandalwood+paste+puja&qid=1742832154&sprefix=sandalwood+paste+puja%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-6
Mauli (optional) - I learned that the Mauli can seal in the devotion to the celebration, woman tie the Mauli on their left wrist, usually tied by an elder. When I do PUJA at home, I do tie it on myself as a commitment to the practice, gratitude to the blessings and healings of the celebration, honoring Durga as my teacher and honoring the Durga that lives within me.
https://www.amazon.com/Thread-Rituals-Prayer-Religious-Accessories/dp/B0BFQCGG41?th=1
I will be preforming traditional PUJA and taking you through the PUJA ceremony step by step as we will all be doing this at our own pace in our homes
Zoom Link for PUJA:
Angie is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Navratri Puja
Time: Apr 7, 2025 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86368745354?pwd=mQ5Q46ox8McRKzox5eVuIIidmsnboP.1
Meeting ID: 863 6874 5354
Passcode: 043769
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Happy Navratri!
Love you all!
Angie