Sharad Navratri is a nine-day festival devotees celebrate with great enthusiasm and devotion in various parts of India. Thus, it is to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms. The festival usually falls in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, which occurs in September or October. During these nine days, devotees observe fasts and perform various rituals, including chanting mantras, offering prayers, and performing aarti. The festival culminates with Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil. So, read everything you must know about Sharad Navratri 2023.
Also Read: Solar Eclipse 2023: How To Prepare For It As Per Your Zodiac Sign?
Sharad Navratri 2023 officially begins this year on October 15, 2023. It is thought that a distinct manifestation of Maa Durga is praised on each day of Navratri. So, her numerous forms are wonderful, each having unique characteristics and influences. On each day of Navratri, Goddess Durga takes on many forms, including:
| Day | Navratri 2023 Date | Maa Durga Avatar | Representation |
| 1 | October 15, 2023 | Shailputri | Mother nature |
| 2 | October 16, 2023 | Brahmacharini | Penance |
| 3 | October 17, 2023 | Chandraghanta | Peace and calmness |
| 4 | October 18, 2023 | Kushmanda | Empowerment |
| 5 | October 19, 2023 | Skandmata | Salvation and prosperity |
| 6 | October 20, 2023 | Katyayani | Fierceness |
| 7 | October 21, 2023 | Kaalratri | Eliminator of fears and suffering |
| 8 | October 22, 2023 | Mahagauri | Purity and serenity |
| 9 | October 23, 2023 | Siddhidatri | Accomplishments |
| 10 | October 24, 2023 | Navratri Parana | Conclusion of 9 days and kanya puja |
The establishment of a Kalash rite marks the start of Durga Puja. On Monday, October 15, 2023, you can perform Ashwin Ghatasthapana. The Muhurat will be from 06:21 to 10:12, i.e., 03 hours and 50 minutes. Moreover, the Pratipada date will mark the Ghatasthapana Muhurat too. Thus, you can perform the establishment on October 14, 2023, at 23:25
Pratipada expires at 24:33 on October 15, 2023.
The devotees fast, build an altar out of the soil, and plant barley on top of it in the early hours of the Pratipada tithi. The Kalash is subsequently set on the elevated mud platform, having the goddess idol on it. After the establishing ritual, perform the puja while reciting the Durga Saptashti.
Also Read: Ketu transit In Virgo 2023: Effects Of The Transit On Each Zodiac Sign
Sharad Navratri 2023 Durgasthami will be on October 22, 2023. Furthermore, the Ashtami Tithi will begin on October 21, 2023, at 09:53 PM and it will end on October 22, 2023, at 07:58 PM.
During these nine days, devotees observe fasts and perform various rituals to seek blessings from Goddess Durga. The first three days of Navratri illustrate Goddess Durga’s fierce form as Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, and Chandraghanta. The next three days represent her gentle form as Kushmanda, Skandamata, and Katyayani. The last three days are to her divine form as Kalratri, Maha Gauri, and Siddhidatri.
The festival is also significant for farmers who worship the goddess of agriculture and seek her blessings for a good harvest. The nine days are considered auspicious for sowing seeds and commencing new business ventures.
Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of inner purification and self-discipline. Devotees observe fasts and refrain from consuming meat, alcohol, and other impure substances during the nine-day period. They also perform various rituals like chanting mantras, offering prayers, and performing aarti to seek the blessings of the goddess.
Here is how to perform the puja rituals on Sharad Navratri in 2023:
Also Read: Partial Lunar Eclipse 2023: Know Its Effect On Each Zodiac Sign
The colors represent the different forms of Goddess Durga and symbolize different qualities and virtues. Thus, here is a detailed description of the colors and their significance on each day of Sharad Navratri:
On the first day of Navratri, the color grey represents the goddess in her form as Shailaputri. Thus, she is a calm and composed demeanor and is the embodiment of the power of the Himalayas.
The color orange is worn on the second day to represent the goddess in her form as Brahmacharini. This form of the goddess represents purity, knowledge, and wisdom. Hence, the color orange symbolizes spiritual awakening and dedication.
The color white is for the third day to represent the goddess in her form as Chandraghanta. This form of the goddess represents courage and grace. So, the color white symbolizes purity, peace, and calmness.
On the fourth day of Navratri, red illustrates the goddess in her form as Kushmanda. So, this form of the goddess represents creativity and energy. Thus, the color red symbolizes passion and vitality.
Royal blue on the fifth day illustrates the goddess in her form as Skandamata. This form of the goddess represents motherhood and protection. Furthermore, the color royal blue symbolizes calmness and stability.
The color yellow is for the sixth day to represent the goddess in her form as Katyayani. So, this form of the goddess represents strength and courage. Hence, the color yellow symbolizes happiness and optimism.
On the seventh day of Navratri, green illustrates the goddess in her form as Kalaratri. Thus, this form of the goddess represents destruction and renewal. So, the color green symbolizes life, nature, and growth.
The color peacock green is worn on the eighth day to represent the goddess in her form as Maha Gauri. Therefore, this form of the goddess represents purity and spirituality. So, the color peacock green symbolizes beauty and grace.
On the ninth day of Navratri, wearing purple represents the goddess in her form as Siddhidatri. Therefore, this form of the goddess represents knowledge and wisdom. So, the color purple symbolizes power and royalty.
Also Read: Ashwin Amavasya 2023: Date And Benefits Of Performing Puja & Making Donations
During Sharad Navratri, Aries individuals may experience an increasing spiritual awareness and intuition. Therefore, it is a good time to focus on personal growth and self-improvement.
For Taurus individuals, Sharad Navratri may bring success in career and business ventures. So, it is also a favorable time for financial investments.
During Sharad Navratri 2023, Gemini individuals may experience inner peace and harmony. Hence, it is a good time for self-reflection and spiritual pursuits.
For Cancer individuals, Sharad Navratri 2023 may bring new opportunities for personal growth and development. Thus, it is a favorable time for pursuing creative interests and hobbies.
During Sharad Navratri, Leo individuals may experience increased success in career and professional endeavors. So, it is also a favorable time for networking and making new connections.
For Virgo individuals, Sharad Navratri may bring success in educational pursuits and intellectual growth. Hence, it is also a good time for exploring new ideas and concepts.
During 2023 Sharad Navratri, Libra individuals may experience a financial stability and security hike. Hence, it will be favorable for making critical financial decisions and investments.
For Scorpio individuals, Sharad Navratri may bring new opportunities for spiritual growth and enlightenment. Therefore, it is a good time for introspection and self-reflection.
During Sharad Navratri, Sagittarius individuals may experience success in career and business ventures. So, it is also a good time for networking and building professional connections.
Capricorn
For Capricorn individuals, Sharad Navratri in 2023 may bring new opportunities regarding personal growth and development. Hence, it is a wonderful time for pursuing creative interests and hobbies.
During Sharad Navratri, Aquarius individuals may experience an increasing spiritual awareness and intuition. Thus, it is a good time to focus on personal growth and self-improvement.
For Pisces individuals, Sharad Navratri may bring success in career and professional endeavors. So, it is a favorable time for networking and making new connections.
For interesting astrology videos, follow us on Instagram
10,881