Navaratri Utsav Begins

Navaratri. Navaratri is a widely celebrated festival in India, especially in South India, where people display dolls (Golu) for nine days and invite friends and family for Arishina Kumkuma. It takes place during the Ashvayuja Masa Shukla Paksha, in the first nine days of Sharad Rutu. In the Bhavishyottara Purana, Lord Narayana explains the significance of Navaratri to Sri Narada. During these nine days, devotees observe rituals to please Goddess Mahalakshmi, who manifests in nine forms, including Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, and Durga. Women commonly recite Srinivasa Kalyana, Lakshmi Shobhane, and Sundara Kaandam, while men perform Sumadhwa Vijaya Parayana daily, culminating with a special offering on Vijayadasami (Madhva Jayanthi).The important days of Navaratri include Ayudha Pooja, Saraswathy Pooja, Vijaya Dashami, and Madhwa Jayanthi. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the embodiment of the night, while Narayana represents the day. Navaratri rituals, when performed by both men and women, bring fulfillment of their desires. This is illustrated by the following verse:Navaratri (Ashvija Shukla Pratipada to Navami) , - , - The Goddess takes the form of night, and Maheshwara (Narayana) takes the form of day. This night vow (Navaratri) is the destroyer of all sins, fulfiller of all desires, and remover of all enemies. Therefore, this vow must be observed at night. Navaratri begins at the start of Ashvija month, leading up to Deepavali at the end of the month. It lasts for nine days, from Shukla Pratipada to Navami. The day after Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya marks the beginning of Navaratri. On this day, after an oil bath (Abhyanga), the family deity is invited into the home, and for nine days, the deity is worshipped with unwavering devotion.