Navaratri Means Nine Nights
Nine days of fasting and prayer in dedication to the female energy ,[DAIVI or MATRU SHAKTI ] imbibed in the cosmos ,enveloping and surrounding us like a mother holding a protective sheath around her children
Air Water Fire Earth and Ether are the Panchabhutas or the five sacred elements of which our body is made up of
During these nine auspicious days ,there arises the opportunity when we can restore to th Mother Earth whatever we have been taking from her all the while
This is achieved by performing havan or homa. Scientifically it has been proved that yagya purifies the atmosphere and has a healing effect on body and mind
Let us see the sequence of the homas performed during these nine days
For first five days Nava Rudrabhishek is performed for Peace Prosperity and Happiness and maintaining unity among the family members
On Shashthi or sixth day , Shri Maha Ganpati homa is offered to Ganesh for removing obstacles before initiating any new venture followed by Shri Subramanya Homa to overcome fear and remove negative vibrations
Navagraha homa is performed to propitiate and nullify the negative effect of the nine planets and seek their blessings
On the seventh day ; Shaptami, The Rudra Homa is performed for the removal of Negative Energy
Sudarshan Homa is performed to Narayana
Su means Auspicious and Darshan means the Right Vision
It helps to remove the Ignorance and ensures the usherance of new life , enriched with the Right Knowledge
Highlight of the Navaratri is the Sathi Chandi Homa which is performed on Ashtami, the eighth day.
700 verses praising Goddess Durga are chanted and 108 different herbs are offered in the Sacrificial Fire. The grace of God is thus invoked
Kalash Pooja consists in a pot filled with water, decorated with leaves and flowers surrounding it.
Our consciousness is nothing but The Mother Divine and she is immortal in Waking ,Dreaming and Sleeping state and immanent in our wakened state
