Magha Gupta Navratri

Navaratri is an amalgamation of two words, Nav means nine and Ratri means Nights so it is nine nights of celebration. Navratri is a nine days festival dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Goddess Durga). Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri that fall every year.

However, only two of them – Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri hold a prominent place in Hinduism. The other two are ‘Gupt Navratri’- the one that falls on the Shukla Paksha of the Magha month is Magha Gupt Navratri and the other in Ashadha month is Ashadha Navratri.

According to the Gregorian calendar, Magha Gupt Navratri falls in the month of Magh during January or February. It is also known as Gayatri ‘Shishir Navratri’.

Rituals

Most of the customs and rituals observed during Shardiya Navratri are also observed during Magha Gupta Navratri. On the first day Magh Gupt Navratri, devotees get up at dawn and take an early bath. After concluding morning rituals, devotees begin their preparations and do Ghatasthapana. However, the Ghatasthapana is also known as Kalash Sthapana or Kalashsthapana.

What is Ghatasthapana?

Ghatasthapana is one of the significant rituals during Navratri. It marks the beginning of the nine days of Durga Puja. However, on Day 1 of Navratri, a Kalash filled with water or raw rice and adorned with a whole coconut and mango leaves are placed in the temple area to invoke Goddess Durga. Devotees also offer dhoop, chunri, bindi, bangles, and incense sticks to Goddess.

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