Navratri of Shardiya i.e. Ashwin month will start from Thursday, 3rd October. This festival of Goddess Puja will continue till 11th October. Due to variation in dates on 11th, Durga Ashtami and Durga Navami will be celebrated on the same day. Fasting during Navratri provides religious benefits as well as health benefits.
According to Astrologer Pt. Manish Sharma of Ujjain, by worshiping the nine forms of Mother Goddess during the nine days of Navratri, all the wishes of the devotees can be fulfilled. Goddess Shailputri is worshiped on the first day of Navratri, Brahmacharini on the second day, Chandraghanta on the third day, Kushmanda on the fourth day, Skandamata on the fifth day, Katyayani on the sixth day, Kalratri on the seventh day, Mahagauri on the eighth day and Siddhidatri on the ninth day.
Navratri comes during the transition period of seasons.
Navratri comes a total of four times in a year. The first in Chaitra month, the second in Ashadh, the third in Ashwin and the fourth in Magh month. Navratri of Chaitra and Ashwin month are normal. In these Navratri, the Goddess is worshiped in simple ways. The months of Ashadha and Magh are called Gupt Navratri. In these months, secret rituals are performed for the ten Mahavidyas of the Goddess. This is more important for the people associated with Tantra-Mantra. Navratri comes four times a year and this festival of Goddess worship is celebrated all four times during the transition period of two seasons. The transition period of the seasons means the time of departure of one season and arrival of another season. In the month of Chaitra, winter season ends and summer season begins. In the month of Ashadha, summer ends and rainy season comes. In the month of Ashwin, the rainy season ends and winter comes. In the month of Magh, winter season goes away and spring season comes. Fasting observed during the transition period of seasons not only provides religious benefits but also gives good health. For this reason, fasting during Navratri provides not only religious benefits but also health benefits. One of the methods to cure diseases in Ayurveda is Langhan. Under Langhan method, the patient is advised to fast. Fasting provides relief to the digestive system and our body uses the undigested food present in the body for energy. When digestion is fine, many diseases go away.
