Magha Gupta Navratri

Magha Gupta Navratri is a nine-day auspicious time devoted to worshiping Goddess Shakti’s nine distinct forms. In the ‘Magha’ month of the traditional Hindu calendar, it is observed from the ‘Pratipada’ (1st day) to the ‘Navami’ (9th day) during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon). As it falls between the winter months of January-February, Magha Gupta Navratri is also known as ‘Shishir Navratri’. For Sadhaks, tantriks, and any person who wishes to solve materialistic problems, it is a significant event.

The word ‘gupt’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘hidden’ and hence, unlike the other popular Navratris observed during the Hindu month of ‘Vasant’ and ‘Chaitra’, Magha Gupta Navratri is known to fewer people. In the northern states of India, namely Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, the Magha Gupta Navratri is mainly celebrated.

Rituals during Magha Gupta Navratri

• Hindu devotees get up during Magha Gupta Navratri at the time of sunrise and take an early bath. They clean and decorate the place of worship and begin making preparations after finishing the morning rituals.

• Placed on a red cloth, an idol of Goddess Durga is worshipped with vermillion, rice, colorful flowers, dhoop, and incense sticks. Devotees also give the Goddess chunri, bindi, and bangles. On Pratipada, this nine-day ritual starts and ends on Navami, in which on each day nine different forms of Goddess are worshipped. The puja rituals are given below for specific days:

1. Navratri Day 1: Pratipada – Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja
2. Navratri Day 2: Dwitiya – Brahmacharini Puja
3. Navratri Day 3: Tritiya – Chandraghanta Puja
4. Navratri Day 4: Chaturthi – Kushmanda Puja
5. Navratri Day 5: Panchami – Skandamata Puja
6. Navratri Day 6: Sashthi – Katyayani Puja
7. Navratri Day 7: Saptami – Kaal Ratri Puja
8. Navratri Day 8: Ashtami – Mahagauri Puja and Sandhi Puja
9. Navratri Day 9: Navami – Siddhidatri Puja

• The tenth ‘Dashami’ day marks the conclusion of the festivities of the Navratri and is observed as Navratri Parana.

• During this 9-day-long Magha Gupta Navratri, devotees maintain a strict fast. After finishing the puja rituals of the day and offering food to a Brahmin, the observer of this vrat may eat only one meal. Some people can also practice partial fasting in which it is appropriate to consume fruits and dairy products.

• During the Magha Gupta Navratri, reciting ‘Durga Mantra’ 108 times is very auspicious. During this time, reading Durga Stotra also appeases Goddess Durga to shower her love and affection on the devotees.

Significance of Magha Gupta Navratri

One of the longest and most pious Hindu festivals observed in honor of Goddess Shakti or Durga is the Magha Gupta Navratri. Goddess Durga is known to be the alleviator of suffering, as per the Hindu legends, and devotees earnestly worship Her for showing compassion. During the auspicious Magha Gupta Navratri, it is believed that puja protects a person from any accidents or danger and also helps to achieve Riddhi & Siddhi. In the form of wisdom, prosperity, and riches, a person who sincerely fasts during the Magha Gupta Navratri receives the divine blessings of Goddess Durga.