The nine-day festival of ‘Navratri’ has arrived. With the arrival of the Mother Goddess, the auspicious ‘Devi Paksha’ begins. And this year, owing to the ‘Adhik Maas’, the ‘Shardiya Navratri’ is delayed by about a month. Usually, it takes place soon after ‘Mahalaya Amavasya’, but in 2020, it has been pushed by 31 days. Nonetheless, the festival shall usher in an atmosphere of divinity and serenity. And devotees of Goddess ‘Durga’ shall look forward to it not only to keep a fast but also soak in the joys of the meaningful festival. ‘Shardiya Navratri’ is the major festival of the Hindu religion. This year the festival starts on October 17, which will end on October 25, 2020. Nine forms of ‘Maa Durga’ are worshiped in this holy festival lasting nine days. Devotees of the mother fast for nine days to get divine blessings. According to religious belief, if some simple steps of Vastu are adopted while worshiping the Goddess at this time, you may get the desired blessings. Let us know what kind of Vastu remedies you can bring to your home during these nine nights of ‘Navratri’.

Carry out special cleanliness in the house before welcoming the Goddess. Remove the clutter from your house. Make the atmosphere serene through ‘Dhoop-Deepam’. There should not be any mess around the place of worship.

To worship the Goddess in ‘Navratri’, keep the idol of ‘Maa Durga’ in the north-east direction. Light up unbroken/continuous flame (‘Akhand Jyoti’) in the south-east direction. Put the pitcher (Holy ‘Kalash’) to be used in the ‘puja’, at a wooden platform. Make a ‘swastika’ symbol with turmeric or ‘kumkum’ before worship. This brings positive energy to the place of worship.

‘Navratri’ Celebrations by the Day/ ‘Tithi’, Colors used and its Significance: 

Special attention should be paid to the place where the ‘Maa Bhagwati’ is worshiped for the colors used while decorating the ‘Puja’ room. Light colors like white, light yellow, green, etc. should be used there. While worshiping the mother, use fresh red flowers.

One of the most significant aspects of the festivities is that different colors are associated with each of the nine days. People get dressed in the color specific to each day to make the most of Navratri. The following colors are recommended as per Vastu principles for different dates and their significance, respectively.

• October 17; Grey; ‘Ghatasthapana/Pratipada’: On the first day (Pratipada), devotees install the ‘Kalash’. This ritual is referred to as ‘Kalash Sthapana’ or ‘Ghata Sthapana’. On this day, the ‘Shailputri’ form of ‘Maa Durga’ is worshipped. Grey color refers to the quality of the destruction of evil.
• October 18; Orange; ‘Dwitiya’: On the second day (Dwitiya), the unmarried form of the mother goddess, ‘Brahmacharini’, is worshipped. Orange color symbolizes tranquility, brightness and knowledge.
• October 19; White; ‘Tritiya’: On the third day (Tritiya), ‘Maa Chandraghanta’ is worshipped. White color represents peace, serenity, calm and purity.
• October 20; Red; ‘Chaturthi’: On the fourth day (Chaturthi), the ‘Kushmanda’ form of ‘Maa Durga’ is worshipped. Red color symbolizes passion, auspiciousness as well as anger (which is required to uproot evil).
• October 21; Royal Blue; ‘Panchami’: On the fifth day (Panchami), devotees worship ‘Skanda Mata’, the mother of Lord ‘Kartikeya’. On this day, people should wear Royal Blue, a color that represents divine energy.
• October 22; Yellow; ‘Shashti’: On the sixth day (Shashti), devotees shall pray to Goddess ‘Katyayani’. Yellow color symbolizes joy and cheerfulness
• October 23; Green; ‘Saptami’: On the seventh day (Saptami), the ‘Kalaratri’ form of Durga shall be worshipped. Green color refers to the various aspects of Mother Nature and its nourishing qualities.
• October 24; Peacock Green; ‘Ashtami’: On the eighth day (Ashtami), ‘Maha Gauri’ is worshipped. The color Peacock Green represents the desires and wishes that get fulfilled.
• October 25; Purple; ‘Navami’: On the ninth day (Navami), the ‘Siddhidhatri’ form of Goddess Durga is worshipped. Purple color represents ambition, goal and energy.