Navratri 2024: PM Narendra Modi shared his greetings and wishes for all countrymen.
The nine-day festivities of Navratri 2024 started on October 3 and will culminate on October 12 with Dussehra.
As the 9-day Shardiya Navratri festival begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished the entire nation. On Day 1, dedicated to Maa Shailputri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi prayed for good health and happiness for all. “I wish all my countrymen a very Happy Navratri. May this holy festival dedicated to Shakti Vandana prove to be auspicious for everyone. Jai Mata Di!”, PM Modi posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in Hindi.
समस्त देशवासियों को नवरात्रि की असीम शुभकामनाएं। शक्ति-वंदना को समर्पित यह पावन पर्व हर किसी के लिए शुभकारी सिद्ध हो, यही कामना है। जय माता दी!— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2024
In another post, he shared a stuti dedicated to Maa Shailputri and wrote: “On the first day of Navratri, I pray to Maa Shailputri with folded hands! May everyone be blessed by her grace. This prayer to the Goddess is for all of you…”
नवरात्रि के पहले दिन मां शैलपुत्री की करबद्ध प्रार्थना! उनकी कृपा से हर किसी का कल्याण हो। देवी मां की यह स्तुति आप सबके लिए… pic.twitter.com/sFCnbXSHys— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2024
Other political leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, also joined in and shared greetings on the first day of Navratri 2024.
समस्त देशवासियों को नवरात्रि के पावन पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ!नवरात्रि, शक्ति की आराधना, आध्यात्मिक ऊर्जा के संचय और जगत जननी माँ अम्बे के नौ रूपों की उपासना का महापर्व है। माँ दुर्गा से समस्त विश्व के कल्याण, सुख और शांति की कामना करता हूँ। pic.twitter.com/LWfkcT18g2
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 3, 2024
Shardiya Navratri, celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus across the country, is dedicated to worshipping the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. This year, the festival starts on October 3 and will conclude with Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) on October 12. Each day of the festival is marked by various rituals and celebrations honouring different forms of the goddess.
Navratri Day 1: Goddess Shailputri
On the first day of Navratri, devotees honour Goddess Shailaputri, a form of Parvati, who is depicted with a trident and lotus, symbolising strength and purity. Mounted on a bull, she is considered the daughter of the Himalayas, with “Shail” referring to mountains. Worshipping her is believed to bring blessings of courage and auspicious beginnings for the festival.
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On Day 1 of Navratri, the significant ritual of Ghatasthapana is performed, marking the commencement of nine days of festivities. This ritual involves the installation of a pot symbolising the goddess, and it is considered an auspicious way to invite divine energies into the environment.
Navratri Festival
The Shardiya Navratri festival is a significant celebration in Hindu culture, observed over nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Shakti. It occurs in the lunar month of Ashwin during Sharad Ritu, typically in September or October.
The festivities culminate on the tenth day with Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami, marking the triumph of good over evil. Each day is infused with rituals, prayers, and cultural activities that honour the divine feminine.
The festival is mainly celebrated to mark the victory of Maa Durga over the demon, Mahishasura.