The glory of Navratri vrat is mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. Saint Ved Vyas narrates an incident in puran when Ravana abducted Devi Sita, and Lord Rama along with Lakshmana were searching for her but was unable to find her.
Finally Lord Rama became very sad and devrishi Narad appeared and told him to observe Navratri fast and worship mother Bhagwati during Ashwin month, which can fulfill his desire of finding Sita and also help him to fight Ravana and get victorious.
The Navratri Vrat is comprised of four parts without which it is considered as incomplete. The four main constituents are:
1 Devi Pooja i.e. worshipping the mother goddess.
2 Hawan or Yajna.
3 Kumarika Pujan, that is the maiden worship.
4 Brahman bhojan.
One should worship the manifestations of mother goddess for all nine days of Navratri but if it is not possible then at least we should worship the Goddess on the Ashtami Tithi that is on the 8th day reason being Bhadrakali was incarnated on Ashtami Tithi during the Yajna of Daksha accompanied by numerous yoginis, which is the ferocious incarnation of the Goddess and she should be worshipped with great devotion and various offerings on this day to appease her and get her blessings.
Ideally one should keep fast for whole nine days but for some reason if it is unlikely then one can keep fast on last three days that is Saptami Ashtami and Navami Tithi (7th,8th and 9th).
It is said that by observing fast on these three days one can acquire the total Punya or fruits of worshipping the Shakti for full navratri period. One can observe fast for whole day or by taking meal at night or having meal during the day time and not having anything during the night.
Puja Vidhi : Create a stage for establishing the idol of devi Durga sitting on the lion, she has four hands having weapons and the idol should be decorated with ornaments. If you are unable to find idol of devi Durga you can also keep the Yantra on which Navarna Mantra is written, on the stage and then you can put a pot of copper known as the kalash in front of the idol and put a coconut over it.
Take a pledge “Oh mother I will observe fast in Navratri with full devotion please help me in all my endeavours”.
Lit up the lamp and incense sticks or dhoop offer coconut, lemon, pomegranate, banana, oranges to the Goddess as prasad. Recite Navarna Mantra 108 times which is as follows:
ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुंडायै विच्चे।
Aim Hreem Klim Chamnundaye Vichhe.
Havan : To perform the Yajna ideally the Havan Kund should be triangular in shape as this shape represent the Goddess Adi Shakti. Havan is generally done on Ashtmi or Navami tithi.
Kumarika Puja : During the Navaratri days there is a tradition of inviting maiden (kumari) girls for worship representing the purest form of the goddess and offering food and various other items such as kheer to please the devi.
On the first day one kumarika should be invited and offered food and from then on increase the number of girls to be invited corresponding to the day of Navratri for example invite two girls on second day and invite nine girls on the 9th day of Navratri.
Depending on capacity one can arrange food for needy people.
Benefits : Maharishi Vyas further explain that this vrat is capable of fulfilling worldly desires as well as spiritual progress for attaining salvation. It can bestow money, prosperity, children, long life and good health to the devotees.
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