Navratri 2024: Enhance the Joy of Navratri by Offering These Bhogs to Goddess Durga

Chaitra Navratri, beginning today, is a nine-day festival celebrated with great reverence and devotion by Hindu devotees across the globe. During this auspicious occasion, devotees observe fasts and perform pujas dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Apart from spiritual practices, Chaitra Navratri also emphasizes leading a virtuous and righteous life.

The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga:
Throughout the nine days of Navratri, devotees worship the various manifestations of Goddess Durga, each representing distinct energies and virtues. The nine forms include Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Devotees offer different prasad to each deity, seeking their blessings and divine grace.

Offerings to Goddess Durga: To please Goddess Durga and fulfill their desires, devotees offer specific prasad to each deity during the nine days of Navratri. Let's explore the offerings for each day:

Day 1 - Goddess Shailputri: Goddess Shailputri, the first form of Durga, symbolizing health and prosperity, is worshipped on the inaugural day of Navratri. Devotees offer pure desi ghee made from cow's milk to seek her blessings for good health and happiness.

Day 2 - Goddess Brahmacharini: On the second day, devotees worship Goddess Brahmacharini, seeking longevity and marital bliss. Offering sweets made from jaggery or honey is believed to ward off untimely death and bring prosperity.

Day 3 - Goddess Chandraghanta: Goddess Chandraghanta, revered for her bravery and grace, is worshipped on the third day. Devotees offer milk and milk-based sweets to alleviate all sorrows and achieve peace of mind.

Day 4 - Goddess Kushmanda: Goddess Kushmanda, the creator of the universe, is worshipped on the fourth day. Offering malpua, a sweet delicacy, is believed to enhance decision-making abilities and intellect.

Day 5 - Goddess Skandamata: Goddess Skandamata, the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), is worshipped on the fifth day. Offering bananas is considered auspicious and is believed to bestow lifelong health and well-being.

Day 6 - Goddess Katyayani: Goddess Katyayani, the epitome of courage and valor, is worshipped on the sixth day. Offering honey is believed to attract abundance and prosperity in life.

Day 7 - Goddess Kalratri: Goddess Kalratri, the destroyer of ignorance and darkness, is worshipped on the seventh day. Offering lauki (bottle gourd) is believed to protect against sudden adversities and misfortunes.

Day 8 - Goddess Mahagauri: Goddess Mahagauri, symbolizing purity and serenity, is worshipped on the eighth day. Offering coconut is believed to dispel obstacles and fulfill wishes.

Day 9 - Goddess Siddhidatri: Goddess Siddhidatri, the bestower of mystical powers and achievements, is worshipped on the ninth day. Offering sesame seeds is believed to overcome fear of death and attain spiritual enlightenment.