Shardiya Navratri commences immediately following the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, marking a sacred nine-day period dedicated entirely to the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Devotees observe fasts throughout these nine days and nights to seek divine blessings. On the very first day, the ritual of Kalash Sthapana marks the formal beginning of the worship. According to Acharya Anand Bhardwaj from Ujjain, certain unwanted items must be discarded from the household prior to setting up the sacred pot. Clearing out these articles helps eliminate accumulated negative vibrations, as their presence is believed to displease Goddess Durga.
Key Dates and Schedule for Shardiya Navratri
According to the Vedic calendar, Shardiya Navratri begins on the Pratipada date of the Ashwin month and concludes on Navami. This year, the festival will start on September 22, with the ritual of Kalash Sthapana being observed on the opening day itself. Subsequently, Maha Ashtami falls on September 30, followed by Maha Navami on October 1. The festival of Dussehra will be celebrated on October 2, which is also the scheduled day for the immersion of Goddess Durga idols.
Four Items to Remove Prior to the Festival
To ensure a pure environment and invite positive energies before invoking the deity, Acharya Anand Bhardwaj suggests removing four specific items from the premises
- Non-functional Clocks: Any stopped clock lying anywhere in the home should either be repaired and restarted or removed completely before welcoming the goddess. A stopped timepiece accelerates the influence of Rahu, which is considered unfavorable and believed to bring displeasure from the deity.
- Dried Tulsi Plants: The Tulsi plant is revered as an embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. Keeping a dried Tulsi plant inside the house is regarded as inauspicious, causing displeasure to Lord Vishnu. Disposing of the dry plant before Navratri paves the way for smooth positive energy flow and a propitious arrival of Goddess Durga.
- Damaged Idols and Torn Pictures: If there are broken deities or torn, worn-out frames of gods and goddesses within the house, they should be honorably immersed or cleared out immediately. Welcoming the goddess requires clean and unmarred sacred symbols.
- Broken Brooms: The broom used for regular household cleaning is traditionally regarded as a symbol of prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi. Keeping a damaged or broken broom creates Vastu imbalances and invites negative vibrations. Disregarding its condition is seen as disrespect toward Goddess Lakshmi, which may displease Goddess Durga.
