This document provides information about the Hindu festival of Navratri, including: 1. Stories explaining why Navratri is celebrated, honoring Durga's victory over Mahishasura and blessing of Sumati. 2. Details on the importance, timing (twice yearly), and traditions of Navratri puja rituals like offerings, prayers and fasting over nine days honoring the nine forms of Durga. 3. Answers common questions about the significance of fasting and dancing during Navratri, and how the festival relates to seasonal changes and mitochondrial health.

1. How To Do Navratri Puja? Importance, And
More
1 The History Of Navratri And Why We Celebrate It?
1. First Story Of Navratri
2. Second Story Of Navratri
2 Why is Navratri celebrated twice a year?
3 Why Navratri is celebrated - Story of Sumati | Reasonbehind the Navratri puja
4 Importance of Navratri Puja
5 FAQ
1 Why do we fast during Navratri?
2 Navratri is about our planet
3 Why do we dance during Navratri?
Why do we celebrate Navratri? First Story Of Navratri

2. (How To Do Navratri Puja? Importance, And More)
According to this legend, in the war of Lanka, Brahma asked Shri Ram to worship the Chandi
Devi for Ravana's slaughter and please the goddess. And according to the law, he also
arranged the rare 108 Nil Kamal for Chandi Puja and for Havan. On the other hand, Ravana
also started reciting Chandi to attain immortality. Indra dev conveyed this information to Shri
Rama through the wind. Here Ravana has elusively disappeared 'Neel Kamal', one of the
incense materials kept at the place of worship so that the worship of Shri Rama is interrupted.
Shri Ram's resolve was seen to be broken. There was a fear in everyone that Maa Durga
might not become angry.
Then Shri Rama remembered that he was also called Kamal Nayan Navakanj Lochan. So
they thought of dedicating one of their eyes to the worship of mother. As soon as Shree Rama
wanted to get his eye out with weapons, Mother Durga appeared and he said that she was
happy with the worship and he blessed Shri Rama with Vijay Shree. On the other hand, at the
time of worshiping Ravana, Hanumanji took the form of a Brahmin child and reached there.
And one of the Brahmins who were worshiping in the verse "Jaya Devi Bhut Harni"
pronounced "Karani" in place of "Harni". 'Harni' means to alleviate the suffering of the
devotee. And 'karni' means that which hurts. Mother Durga got angry with this and cursed
Ravana, that Ravana should be destroyed. So this was the first story.

3. Now let's know about the second story of Navratri.
Why do we celebrate Navratri? Second Story Of Navratri
According to another legend, Mahishasura was pleased with his worship and the gods granted
him the boon of being invincible. On receiving this boon, Mahishasura started misusing it.
And expanded Hell to the gate of heaven. Surya, Chandra, Agni, Vayu, Yama, Varuna, and
other gods' powers were also withdrawn by Mahishasura. He took the power of Heaven.
Gods had to roam the earth in fear of Mahishasura, then, angry with Mahishasura's misery,
the gods created Maa Durga. In order to kill Mahishasura, the Gods dedicated all their
weapons to Mother Durga. Due to which she became strong and for nine days, her struggle
with Mahisasura lasted, and after killing Mahisasura, she was called Mother Durga
Mahisasuramardini.
Why is Navratri celebrated twice a year?

4. Let us know why Navratri is celebrated twice a year? Navratri is the only celebration
celebrated twice a year. One Navaratri arrives in Chaitra at the beginning of summer and the
second in the month of Ashwin at the beginning of winter. During summer and winter, solar
energy affects us the most. Because life useful works like harvesting and storing clouds for
rainwater and giving relief from cold etc. are done during this time. That is why it is
considered best to worship the holy powers. Due to changes in nature, our body, mind, and
brain also undergo changes. Therefore, to maintain physical and mental balance, we fast and
worship Shakti once it is celebrated as the victory of truth and secondly it is celebrated as the
birth anniversary of Lord Shri Rama.
Why Navratri is celebrated - Story of Sumati | Reason
behind the Navratri puja

5. Once 'Bruhspati' asked 'Brahma Ji' why did we celebrate the fast of Navratri? Then Brahmaji
said that Bruhspatiji, I tell you the story of the person from whom this Navaratri fast began.
There was a Brahmin, he had a daughter Sumati. Both of them were great devotees of Mother
Durga. Together they used to worship Mother Durga every day. One day she became
engrossed in playing with her friends. And she missed worshiping Mother Durga. Now
seeing this, the Brahmin was very angry.
And he angrily told his daughter that Sumati, you did not worship Maa Durga today, that is
why I will marry you with a poor person. Now hearing this, Sumati said that wherever and
with whom you want my marriage, you get him married to me. I will get only that which is in
my destiny. His father got angry about hearing this. And they really got Sumati married to a
leper. And be told to your daughter, enjoy the fruits of your karma. He said that what has
been written in your destiny, show your life with it.
Sumati was very sad to hear this. And went away with her husband. Seeing this condition of
Sumati, the heart of mother Bhagwati melted. She could not see and she gave her darshan to
Sumati and said that daughter ask for any boon. Sumati felt a bit strange to hear this. Sumit
asked, mother, what have I done that you are ready to give me a boon. Then Mother
Bhagwati said that I am Adi Shakti, my daughter. And I am giving you a boon because you
did good deeds in your previous life. And then she told Sumati the story of her previous birth.
Sumati was the wife of a thief in a previous life, that thief was caught stealing once. So the
king and his soldiers put both husband and wife in jail.

6. Now there was nothing to eat or nothing to drink. Now it happened that when both husband
and wife were in jail, Navratri was going on. And both the husbands unknowingly did not eat
or drink anything. And in this way, the fasting for Navratri was completed, that's why Sumati
got a boon. Now hearing this, Sumati thought what a boon I would ask for. Sumati
demanded a boon that mother Durga should fix her husband completely. Mother Bhagwati
gave Sumati a boon as per her wish. And took away her husband's illness. And just like this,
the fast of Navratri began.
Importance of Navratri Puja
 Navratri is considered to be the best time to worship Maa Bhagwati.
 Navratri starts from the Pratipada of Ashwin Shukla Paksha. Ashwin i.e. time till the
month of October or November. And Shukla Paksha means that fifteen days when the
size of the moon increases.
 The festival of Navratri comes twice a year. In the first Chaitra month. And the
second in the month of Ashwin. The Navaratri that falls in the month of Ashwin is
considered special. And it is also called Shardiya Navaratri. This is the Navratri when
Garba is played everywhere. And keep the fast.
 Some people keep fast for the entire nine days. So some keep fast on the first and last
day. Some people also call the Nav Griha on the first day of Navratri. In which
coconut is placed on the urn, nine tilaks are applied on it from kumkum. With which
nine planets are also worshiped for nine days.
 The last day of Navratri is known as Maha Navami. Maha Navami should be
celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. In North India, Kanya
Pujan is done on the day of Navami. In Kerala, people worship Mother Saraswati on
Ashtami. And worships Mother Durga in Bengal.

7. Process To Perform Navratri Puja
 Firstly, take a bath and cleanse the place of worship by splashing the Ganges with
water.
 Then keep the 'Choky' at the place of worship. Spread red cloth on it.
 Made nine corners with rice on it. Starting from the middle to the outside.
 Place a statue of Bhagwati Devi on it.
 Place a Kalash of water in front of the statue. According to Devi Purana, Kalash is
considered the form of nine goddesses. And hence the Kalash is worshiped in
Navratri.
 Tie a molly on the Kalash, pour a little Ganga water in it, add a betel nut, turmeric,
rice, and a coin. Decorate the leaves of mango or Ashoka tree and place them on the
Kalash.
 Then take a coconut, tie Molly on it and place it on the Kalash.
 Now put a monolithic lamp of ghee on the right side of the statue.
 Keep the (Navratri Puja) pooja material and (Navratri Puja) pooja thali at the place of
worship.
 First, take the posture and take the goods, first take water with the left hand and put it
in the right hand. Cleanse both hands.
 Then say "Om Durga Daivyey Namah" and drink water thrice. Wash hands after this
 Now apply tilak to yourself. Also, apply tilak to your family members. Now light a
lamp of unbroken ghee. Remember that this unbroken lamp is to be kept on for nine
days. And the Kalash should not move from its place.
 Keep flowers and rice in your hand and take a pledge that "I am going to pray to you
with full devotion and my heart's desire is fulfilled. My wish is to keep my house full
of happiness and peace." Saying this, leave flowers and rice in front of the mother.
 Now take water from the flower and sprinkle water on the statue and the Kalash.

8.  After that, tilak the idol of Goddess Durga with turmeric and kumkum. And tilak the
Kalash also. After this, rice was offered on the statue and the Kalash.
 Offer a Chunari on the statue of Mother. Now offer Chunri on the coconut placed on
the Kalash. Now offer flowers on the Kalash.
 And wear a flower necklace to the statue of Mata Rani. After this, put the accessories
of makeup on the feet of the mother.
 And the married women pray for the protection of their husbands by putting the
makeup on the feet of the mother.
 Now leave perfume on the mother's statue and on the Kalash by the flower. Now light
the incense sticks.
 Offer the homemade prasad to the mother and keep it near the outpost. Now offer five
types of fruits to Mata Rani. Do not offer citrus fruits to Mata Rani.
 Now keep coconut and Dakshina near the idol of Mother.
 Now take a small pot of soil and put soil in it and sow the barley. And add pure water
and then tie the molly and then put it on the left side of the mother's statue. Now put a
tilak of turmeric kumkum on the pot. Now put the same tilak on your forehead. Offer
a few flowers on the pot. Some people call this custom "Kheti Bejana". In agriculture,
from the first Navaratri to the nine, Navaratri pours clean water every day. It is
believed that the better the farming, the happier the mother is. On the day of
discharge, they cover the field with red 'chunari' and put some money in it and
discharge it.
 Now take flowers and rice in both hands and pray to Durga Mata that if you have
made any mistake in our worship method, then forgive us. And while chanting "Om
Durga Devyey Namah" thrice, offer flowers and rice at the feet of the mother.
 Women who want to read the text of Durga Ksapaksati.
 Now Aarti is done by lighting a lamp of camphor and ghee to Durga maa.
 Now offer Aarti to your family and also take Aarti yourself. Keep the plate of Aarti
with ma Durga. Take a spoonful of water and rotate it around the aarti and leave it
below.
 Now offer Prasad to your family. If you have taken a vow of the first and last day,
then you can take the prasad. If you have taken a nine-day fast, then you take the
prasad only after nine days.
 Women who have pledged for a nine-day fast should worship nine forms of mother
every day according to the day.(Navratri Puja)
 Women who keep the vow should offer flowers, rice, prasad, prasad, fruits, and
incense sticks to the mother every day. And then perform Aarti. And if possible, recite
Durga Chalisa. (Navratri Puja)
 After the Navratri is complete, splash the water kept in the Kalash in the entire house.
(Navratri Puja)
Nine Names Of Durga MA And Color Of Chuniri Offered
To The Mother

9.  Keep in mind that every day, a different color is offered to the mother. which is like
this.
1. Shailputri (Lal Narangi)
2. Bramhacharini (Peela)
3. Chandraghanta (Safed)
4. Kushmnda (Bhura)
5. Skandmata (Gulabi)
6. Katyayani (Hara)
7. Kalratri (Asmani/ Grey)
8. Mahagauri (Narangi)
9. Sidddhidatri (Maroon / Ghehera laal)
How To Do Kanya Puja on Navratri?

10.  According to the custom of the family, Kanya Pujan is performed on Ashtami or
Naumi. In this worship, nine girls of ten years are worshiped.
 In this, women remember all the nine forms of Mother Jagdamba. Washes the feet of
all the girls who came to the house. Molly is tied in her hand and puts a dot on the
forehead. Gives them a few rupees by giving them pudding, puri, and gram. Saying
Jai Mataadi, he salutes the girls by touching their feet. After he leaves, he makes
offerings and food with himself and his family at the same place where the girls
provide food.

11. FAQ
Why do we fast during Navratri?
To please Devi right? Yes but an unexpected Devi. We may not remember many things we
learned in science. Nobody forgets this one fact. Mitochondria are like a small digestive
system in your cell, turning food into energy. Sugar, fats, and amino acid from proteins that
we eat are converted into energy through the Mitochondria. They are so effective at this that
they generate an estimated 90% of the energy that our cells need. Mitochondria convert our
food into energy. However, did you remember It is well understood that the transition of
Mitochondrial DNA from mother to offspring, also known as a maternal inheritance? You got
your Mitochondrial DNA from your grandma, who got hers from her mother, and so on.
The things that literally give us power or shakti comes directly from our mother's side of the
family. Nobody knows why we get this DNA only from the mother. Devi represents
omnipresent cosmic energy. Durga Ma as everyone cosmic Ma, who knows maybe the shakti
we refer to in this festival is nowhere else but inside of us (literally).
Like everything else, mitochondria need a detox. Low energy conditions, such as food
deprivation and extended fasting, have historically been shown to facilitate healthier aging.
science has proven the benefit of intermittent fasting.
When we do Upvas or intermittent fasting, we end up eating light and giving rest to the
mitochondria which reduces the chances of age-related disease happing. maybe we fast to
keep the feminine heritage inside us healthy. And this knowledge that is intermittent fasting
which the world discovering now has been done by in this country for centuries. This is both
poetic and stunning.

12. Navratri is about our planet
Navratri is about our planet yes yes you must be knowing the earth is not straight it is slightly
tilted. The axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees. Because of 23.5 degrees tilt, the sunrays coming to
the earth are tilted for some part of the years and in others, they fall straights. we get different
seasons because of this tilt. Many of our festivals celebrate these seasonal changes. just like
in autumn the tree loses its leaves so new leaves can grow. similarly, there are changes in our
bodies as well.
Traditionally there was no concept of weekends in India. So during festivals in India people
would go home and take a break from their work lives. After September and October days get
smaller and night-longers. Accordingly, we need to change our sleep cycles as well. These 9
days of Navratri are a reminder of these changes. And that's Navratri is so beautiful.
Why do we dance during Navratri?
Different cultures celebrate Navratri differently. Some celebrate through classical music
while others through dancing. Why so that it reduces your negative energy. Think about it
Nobody is negative or sad while dancing. The reason for this is endorphins.
Endorphins are hormones released spontaneously by the nervous system in response to pain
or stress. They are sometimes referred to as "feel-good" chemicals because they can serve as
a pain reliever as well as a pleasure booster. Endorphins increase our pain tolerance and our
happiness level. Dance is a method of connecting to our inner energy and vibrations. And our
ancestors knew that that's why it's a part of our culture when you meet people you should feel
positive and make others feel the same. That is a fundamental idea, and it is lovely.
During Navratri, we are worshiping a goddess. And we are also acknowledging a change. We
keep our inner shakti i.e. our mitochondria healthy by controlling our food intake and diet.
And take a detox from all the negative things around us. This is so simple and simple things
are naturally beautiful when things are simplified it feels like science and culture co-exist in
harmony.