Celebrate Magha Gupta Navratri in 2024

About Magha Gupta Navratri

Magha Navratri, also known as Gupta Navratri, is a nine-day festival honoring the nine manifestations of Shakti, or the mother goddess. It falls during January or February during the month of Magh in the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to the months of Janurary or February in the Gregorian calendar.

The fifth day of this festival is often independently observed as Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami, the official start of spring in the Hindu tradition, wherein goddess Saraswati is revered through arts, music, writing, and kite flying. In some regions, the Hindu god of love, Kama is revered. Magha Navaratri is observed regionally or by individuals. The Magha Gupta Navratri is the most popular and enthusiastically celebrated Navratri in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.

This auspicious festival is celebrated for nine whole days with great fervour and devotion by Hindus and its festivities are also celebrated by people of various ethnicities across India. This festival is celebrated in order to worship Goddess Durga and Her nine divine forms. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Maa Durga and prayers are offered accordingly.

This month is referred to as Magha because the full moon observed during this month is located near the Magha star cluster. The Magha Gupta Navratri is one of the longest and holiest Hindu celebrations held in honor of Shakti or Durga. According to Hindu mythology, Mother Durga is revered as the one who alleviates suffering, and worshippers honor Her for her benevolence. It is said that puja performed during the auspicious Magha Gupta Navratri protects a person fromharm or danger and aids in attaining Riddhi and Siddhi. A person who fasts genuinely during the Magha Gupta Navratri obtains the heavenly blessings of Goddess Durga in the forms of wisdom, prosperity, and money.

MAGHA GUPTA NAVRATRI 2024 DATE

Magha Gupt Navratri occurs during the Shukla Paksha of the Magha month, therefore, Magh Gupt Navratri 2024 will fall on the 10th of February 2024 and end on the 18th of February 2024

Puja Time and Rituals of Magha Gupta Navratri (Tithi)

Magha Gupta Ghatasthapana on Saturday, February 10th, 2024

Importance And Significance Of Magha Gupta Navratri

As it occurs between the winter months of January and February, Magha Gupt is also referred to as Gayatri 'Shishir Navratri'. It is referred to as 'Gupt,' which means 'secret,' because it is worshipped in secret, and even this Navratri is not widely known.

This Navaratri is for sadhaks and those who perform powerful and unique tantrik rituals for Shatkarma. Sadhaks are meditators, while Tantriks perform rituals. They observe nine days of Shakti worship. The rules governing fasting and worship are strictly adhered to by devotees. During Gupt Navratri, it is believed that the Devi Consciousness is at its peak, and all requests made by Sadhaks during this time are granted. To appease the Devi, the majority of Tantra practitioners and sages observe and perform multiple rituals and austerities during this time. In this case, it is essential to be mindful of one's desires, as they will all come true. This is also the reason why the practices and rituals performed during this time require the supervision and guidance of a Guru.

Importantly, a Sadhak must absorb at least a minuscule portion of the divine energy that is awakening and revolving throughout the universe at this time. For it is She who, with just her warm smile, created the entire universe. Imagine the benefits of tapping into and harnessing this energy.

While the other two main Navratris, which occur in the summer and beginning of winter, are widely discussed, the secret Navratris are never mentioned in public, and seekers have always wondered why. This is because these Navratris are extremely sacred and are typically observed by a Guru and his or her students. The Devi Energy is at a much higher level during this time, so all rituals and practices must be conducted under close supervision. Consider it a laboratory experiment. Experiments with highly potent chemicals should always be conducted in a controlled environment under the supervision of the chief scientist. Similarly, during Gupt Navratris, your Guru Ji serves as your supervisors and guides, and the rituals are carried out with their assistance.

When people pray to Goddess Durga with a pure heart and in secret, their wishes might come true. If its rites are observed with unshakable conviction, Magha Gupt Navratri will produce fruit and the goddesses will shower their heavenly favours on devotees.

Astrological Significance Of Magha Gupta Navratri

Magha Gupta Navratri plays a significant role as per Hindu Astrology. It feels like a month of fresh starts and forward movement. Because of the cosmic clarity that comes with all planets appearing to move forward in their orbits, the period of the Magha Gupta Navratri is well-aligned for launching new projects or setting new goals, which is characteristic of the predominant zodiac signs at the beginning of the year, Aquarius and Capricorn.

Why Magha Gupta Navratri Is Celebrated & How To Celebrate This Festival?

As mentioned earlier, the Magha Gupta Navratri is celebrated to worship the nine divine incarnations of Maa Durga, to seek a higher self, meditate and attain bliss. On this day people perform Ghatasthapana Vidhi which is also known as Kalash Sthapana which means installing the sacred and awakened Puja pot.

Magha Gupt Navratri Puja Vidhi

At auspicious muhurat, barley-grown Kalash is placed in front of the goddess Aadhya Shakti's idol. A second Kalash is placed atop a raw coconut, and its sthapana begins. Aakhand jyot is lit before Goddess Bhagwati, and then Ganesh puja is performed. Then the Varun Dev and Vishnu Dev puja is performed. Then the puja of Shiva, the Sun, the Moon, and the Nine Planets is performed, followed by the worship of Goddess Bhagwati. During this Navratri, fasting and the recitation of the Devi Path and Durga Saptashati are observed.

The benefits of Navratri puja

Navratri puja is believed to bring prosperity and wealth to the household. Ma Durga blesses the family with health, wealth, wisdom and success.

Magh Gupt Navatri 2024 Dates, Devis & Offerings

Navratri Day 1:

February 10 - Pratipada – Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja
On the day of Pratipada, offer Maa Shailputri white items made from cow's ghee in order to remain disease-free.

Navratri Day 2:

February 11 - Dwitiya – Brahmacharini Puja
On Dwitiya Tithi, present Mishri, sugar, and Panchamrit to Maa Brahmacharini for a long life.

Navratri Day 3:

February 12 – Triyita - Chandraghanta Puja
On Tritiya Tithi, offer milk and milk-based items to Maa Chandraghanta to alleviate sorrow.

Navratri Day 4:

February 13 – Chaturthi - Kushmanda Puja
On Chaturthi Tithi, offer Malpua to Maa Kushmanda in order to increase intelligence and decision-making skill.

Navratri Day 5:

February 14 – Panchami - Skandamata Puja
Offer Mother Skandamata a banana for a healthy body.

Navratri Day 6:

February 15 – Shasthi - Katyayani Puja
On the day of Shashthi, offer Mother Katyayani honey in exchange for an attractive personality and beauty.

Navratri Day 7:

February 16 – Saptami - Kaal Ratri Puja
On Saptami, offer jaggery naivedya in Maa Kalratri's worship to avoid trouble.

Navratri Day 8:

February 17 - Ashtami – Mahagauri Puja and Sandhi Puja
On the Ashtami date, offer coconut to Maa Mahagauri to eliminate child-related issues.

Navratri Day 9:

February 18 - Navami – Siddhidatri Puja
On Navami, offer Maa Siddhidatri halwa, chana-puri, kheer, etc. for happiness and prosperity.