Navratri, which means nine nights, is a Hindu festival celebrated to honour the goddess Durga. It ends with Dusshera, also called Vijayadashami that is celebrated on the 10th day. There are four Navaratri – Sharada Navaratri, Chaitra Navaratri, Magha Navaratri and Ashada Navaratri. The Sharada Navaratri begins on October 15, 2023 and ends on October 24, 2023, on the day of Dussehra. People across India celebrate Navaratri by observing fasts, worshipping the different forms of the goddess and engaging in prayers, meditation and other rituals. According to popular traditions, people decorate their house to invite peace and prosperity. Vastu Shastra emphasises certain rules which will help create a positive environment, eliminating the negative energies.
#1. Home cleaning
Before the festivities begin, make sure to clean your house. Organise the space and discard any unwanted items such as old clothes, books, furniture, etc. Sprinkle water on all the walls before Navratmarathi Vrata (charity).
#2. Main door Vastu
Design a Swastik symbol using red or yellow colour, along with some rice. Drawing a Swastik on the main entrance door is highly auspicious during this Navratri and attracts good luck and prosperity for the occupants. Such symbols have the power to repel negative energies.
#3. Toran for decoration
Placing torans on the main entrance is an excellent decoration idea during festivals. Place a bunch of mango leaves on the main gate, which brings prosperity, growth and happiness into the house. Mango leaves are associated with Goddess Lakshmi, inviting good health and wealth.
#4. Placement of Durga idol
Keep the puja area clean and clutter-free. Place the idol of goddess Durga in the northeast corner of the room. Always make sure to keep the idols on a raised platform, such as a wooden pooja chowki, at least five foot high. Keep the puja materials towards the southeast, which attracts the blessings of the goddess.
#5. Right direction for praying
During Navratri puja, one should face the east and north direction while praying. This helps attract success and courage.
#6. Mandir essentials
On the first day of the Navratri, keep a Kalash full of clean water and flowers in your temple. On the last day of the festival, sprinkle the holy water across the house, which strengthens one’s financial status. The Kalash helps improve communication and promotes harmony. One can also keep a Kalash in the kitchen for positive effects. According to Vastu, one should place the Akhand Jyoti (ghee lamp) in the mandir. It helps attract good fortune and inner peace.
#7. Colours for the celebrations
Choose auspicious colours such as purple, green, pink or yellow for the puja room. The goddess is usually dressed in red attire, which is considered to be good as per Vastu. Opt for silver or copper puja utensils for worshipping Maa Durga.
#8. Tulsi plant
According to Vastu, keeping a Tulsi plant in the northeast corner of the house creates a harmonious environment, inviting peace and prosperity to the house. Keeping this plant helps keep health problems at bay.
#9. Use of Sandalwood
Sandalwood or Chandana, is considered a sacred puja material used for worshipping deities. People also apply a sandalwood tilak on their forehead. The material is considered to have a soothing effect and invites positivity. Thus, one should use sandalwood during Navratri puja to increase the benefits of the puja rituals.
#10. Blowing of a conch
According to Vastu Shastra, the sound of blowing conch shells and ringing bells generates a positive atmosphere by eliminating negative energies. It also pleases the deities.
#11. Use cow urine for its auspiciousness
Cow urine has been considered sacred as per Hindu traditions. According to Vastu Shastra, one can spray cow urine in the house or office space to eliminate negative energies and attract positivity.
#12. Organise kanya pujan
During Navaratri, people organise a Kanya Pujan on Astami (eight day of Navaratri), where small girls are worshipped by performing rituals such as washing their feet, tying kalawa or moil around their wrists, offering special dishes and gifts, etc. One should follow Vastu rules during the rituals. For example, the girls should face east or north direction. Those worshipping the kanya should face northeast or north direction.
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By following Vastu Shastra principles during Navaratri or any puja ritual, one can invite tremendous benefits and positive energies in the house. This enhances the spiritual significance of the festival and fulfils desires while attracting wealth, happiness and blessings of the deity.
FAQs
Which direction one should pray during Navaratri?
As per Vastu, one should worship facing east or north direction.
What to do in Navratri for good luck?
Decorating the main door with rangoli and toran, keeping a Tulsi plant at home, blowing conch shell during puja, placing Akhand Jyoti (ghee lamp) in the mandir and burning incense are some things that attract immense positivity during Navaratri.
Why is it important to worship Tulsi plant during Navaratri?
Worshipping the Tulsi plant during Navaratri attracts peace, harmony and prosperity in the house.
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