MT News Service
Jammu, October 16:
Today Shri Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust, President Mahant Rohit Shastri Jyotishiacharya said Ashwin Sharad Navratra will start from 17 th October 2020 (Saturday). This nine days long festival will start from the first day (pratipada) of Ashwin month. Navratras are dedicated to the Goddess who epitomises feminine power or Shakti. During this festival that spans over nine days, the Navdurga (nine forms of Durga) are worshipped. The festivities begin with the Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana (a sacred pot),The timing, mahurat of kalash sthapana and inflaming of Akhand jyoti of Durga at early morning 17th October after 07.25 am and Durga Ashtami is on 23rd October Friday, Mahanavmi 24 October (Saturday) and Navratra will be concluded with Vijayadashami (Dusshera) 25th October Sunday in Jammu & Kashmir.
The word ‘Navratri’ means nine nights in Sanskrit, and each day is dedicated to one of the nine goddesses, namely— Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. All of them are considered avatars of Goddess Durga and each one of them has governing planets, chants, mounts and special significance.
Navratri marks the victory of good over evil and Ghatashthapana hails the feminine power—Durga.
Owing to the pandemic of covid-19 we should celebrated our festivals by staying at our homes.