11th – 18th July 2021
Ashadha Gupt Navratri is an auspicious 9-day observance that is dedicated to worshipping nine different forms of Goddess Shakti or Durga (navdurga).
Gupt navratri is also known as Shakambhari Navratri or Gayatri Navratri and is celebrated with immense gaiety and reverence in especially the northern states of India.
During the ancient Vedic times, Gupt Navratri was only known to a few accomplished ‘Sadhaks,’ or Sages which holds special importance for tantriks and sadhaks.
It is believed that by performing ‘Saadhna,’ (practise/discipline) for Goddess Durga during this period will put an end to all materialistic problems.
This year’s Navarathri is dedicated to Goddess Varahi where all puja offerings culminate at the feet of Goddess Varahi.
Goddess Varahi is another form of Goddess Parvati, and She represents Lord Yama’s energy. Varahi is said to have been created out of the boar form of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu has three shakti energies: Vaishnavi, Varahi, Nrisimhi. According to Shri Vidya tradition, Maa Varahi is often associated with Goddess Kamala, one of the Mahavidyas. She is also called the Danda-Natha, Lady Commander of the forces of the Mother-Goddess, thus symbolizing the might of Sri Vidya. The hog-faced Varahi destroys evil forces that obstructs the devotees’ progress , paralyses the enemies, and lead the devotees ultimately to Sri-Vidyas. With Kurukulla, She is accorded the parental status to Sri-Chakra – Lalitha Tripura-Sundari. While Kurukulla represents the full moon, Varahi represents the new-moon. Again, while Varahi represents prakasa – illumination aspects of Goddess devi, She is the vimarsa-deliberation aspect of the mother-goddess.
Rituals of Gupt Navratri Pooja
During the 9-day period of Gupt navratri, unique observance of the different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped on each day. The schedule is as follows:
Day 1: Pratipada Tithi – Ghatasthapana and Shailpurti Puja
Day 2: Dwitia Tithi – Brahmacharini Puja
Day 3: Tritiya Tithi – Chandraghanta Puja
Day 4: Chaturthi Tithi – Kushmanda Puja
Day 5: Panchami Tithi – Skandamata Puja
Day 6: Shasthi Tithi – Katyayani Puja
Day 7: Saptami Tithi – Kalaratri Puja
Day 8: Ashtami Tithi – Maha Gauri Puja
Day 9: Navami Tithi – Siddhidatri Puja
The 10th day is observed as Vijaya Dashami Puja and brings an end to the Navratri festivities.
During the Ashadha Gupt Navratri period, chanting of religious scriptures like ‘Durga Saptshati’, ‘Devi Mahaatmya’ and ‘Shrimad-Devi Bhagwat’ is considered very auspicious.
Offer a ghee lamp every day and chant 10 mala (108 × 10) of the Navarna mantra daily for a solo sadhana to the Goddess.
Navarna Mantra:
Om Aim Hreem Klim Chamundaye Vicche
Offer red flowers and red coloured fruits with a ghee lamp as your sankalpa (intention setting) for your sadhana.
Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Shakti Rupena Shangsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha
Jai Maa!
SUJATA NANDY WORLD GURUKUL
www.sujatanandy.com
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