Rituals during Magha Gupta Navratri

Firstly, Devotees wake up early and take a holy bath on Magha Gupta Navratri. They usually clean and decorate the place of worship, and start the preparations for other holy rituals.

To symbolically represent goddess Durga, an idol of this deity is placed on a red cloth and worship with vermillion, rice, colourful flowers, dhoop and incense sticks. Things like chunri, bindi and bangles are also offered to the Goddess. This nine-day ceremony begins with Pratipada and ends on Navami, during which the nine forms of Maa Shakthi Devi are worshipped on each day.

The puja rituals for specific days are given below:

Navratri Day 1: Pratipada – Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja

Navratri Day 2: Dwitiya – Brahmacharini Puja

Navratri Day 3: Tritiya – Chandraghanta Puja

Navratri Day 4: Chaturthi – Kushmanda Puja

Navratri Day 5: Panchami – Skandamata Puja

Navratri Day 6: Sashthi – Katyayani Puja

Navratri Day 7: Saptami – Kaal Ratri Puja

Navratri Day 8: Ashtami – Mahagauri Puja and Sandhi Puja

Navratri Day 9: Navami – Siddhidatri Puja

The tenth day ‘dashami’ marks the end of the Navratri celebrations and is observed as Navratri Parana.

Devotees observe a strict Vrat (fast) during this 9 day long Magha Gupta Navratri. Devotees generally eat only one meal a day, usually after finishing the puja rituals of the day, and on offering some food to a Brahmin. Partial fast is also observed by few people, who are not physically competent to undertake a complete fast. These people are allowed to eat fruits and dairy products during this period.

The Magha Gupt navaratri is considered a very sacred occasion. It is the ideal time of the year to recite the holy ‘Durga Mantra’ for108 times. Chanting all these holy slokas and mantras during this period is said to please the Goddess who showers her abundant blessings on her devotees.

Chanting Mantra for Magha Gupt Navaratri

During the occasion of Magha Gupt Navaratri, chanting of the following mantra is considered very auspicious.

“Aim hreem kleem chaamumdaayai vichche”

Benefits of Magha Gupta Navratri

Goddess Durga is believed to grace her devotees with te dvine power (shakthi). Worshipping the goddess on this auspicious period is said to relieve people from all the worldly sorrows and distress. Worshipping Maa Shakthi by performing poojas during Magha Gupta Navratri is believed to shield an individual from various danger and injuries. This is also considered the best time for receiving immense blessings of Matha Shathi devi and helps in the attainment of Riddhi and Siddhi. Those observing a sincere fast during Magha Gupt navaratri is said to be blessed with knowledge, prosperity and innumerable wealth in their lives.