The auspicious festival of Navratri has a special significance in the Hindu religion. Goddess Durga is worshiped during Navratri for nine days. According to the Hindu month, Navratri takes place four times a year. Apart from Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri, there are two Gupt Navratri: one which is celebrated in the month of Magh and the other which falls in the month of Ashadha. During Gupt Navratri, all nine forms of Maa Durga are worshiped and ten Mahavidyas of Maa Bhagwati Durga are worshiped. According to Astrologer Dr. Anish Vyas, Director, Pal Balaji Institute of Astrology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Gupt Navratri is celebrated from Pratipada to Navami of Shukla Paksha of the Magh month.
Gupt Navratri is considered important for Sadhana (discipline and dedicated practice) and attainment of knowledge. According to Panchang, Gupt Navratri will begin on Saturday, February 10, 2024 and will end on the ninth day, which is Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Magh Gupt Navratri: Ghatasthapana Muhurat
The Magh Gupt Navratri Pratipada Tithi is from 04:28 am on February 10, 2024 to 12:47 pm on February 11. The auspicious time to perform Ghatasthapana is from 08:45 am to 10:10 am on February 10, 2024 (total duration 1 hour and 25 minutes).
During these nine days of Magh Gupt Navratri, all nine forms of Goddess are worshiped: Maa Kalike, Tara Devi, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Mata Chitramasta, Tripura Bhairavi, Maa Dhumravati, Mata Baglamukhi, Matangi, Kamala Devi.
To worship the Goddess, you would need an idol or a photo of Maa Durga, vermilion (sindur), saffron, camphor (kapur), barley, incense, clothes, mirror, comb, bangles, perfumed oil, mango leaves, red flowers, durva, henna, bindi, whole betel nut, turmeric pieces and ground turmeric, patra, aasan, chowki, mauli roli (red thread), flower garland, belpatra, Kamalgatta mala, lamp, naivedya, honey, sugar, Panchmeva, mace, coconut, soil, betel leaves, cloves, cardamom, clay or brass kalash, havan material, worship plate, linen, milk, curd, seasonal fruits, white and yellow mustard seeds and Ganges water , among a few other things.
Dr. Anish Vyas shared that during Gupt Navratri, Tantrics and Aghoris worship the idol of Maa Durga at midnight. It is installed and red vermilion and golden chunari are offered to the Goddess. The puja materials are then offered at the feet of the mother. Offering red flowers to Maa Durga is considered auspicious. During this period one should chant Om Dum Durgaayi Namaha and light a lamp with mustard oil.
