Navaratris (“Nav” means Nine “Ratri” means Night, hence Navaratri means Nine Nights) comes in one year. Only two of them viz, Chaitra Shukla Pratipada to Navami (First to ninth day in the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Chaitra) and Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (First to ninth date in the light fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Ashwin) are important, which are known as Spring and Autumn Navratris. This Festival of nine nights is devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Durga. To stop the destruction by Shiva who was perturbed by the death of Sati (Shiva’s wife), Lord Vishnu had to cut Sati’ body into pieces. These pieces fell at fifty-two locations, which are known as Shaktipeethas (holy places) like Ambaji in Banaskantha, Bahucharaji in Chunaval, Kalika on Pavagadh hill in Panchmahals, Bhadrakali in Kurukshetra, Naina Devi in H.P. These Shaktipeethas and other Goddess Durga temples are visited by multitude of devotees during Navratri. Gujarat’s popular folk-dances Garba and Dandia-Ras are performed late, throughout the nights of these nine days in public squares, streets and open grounds. Fast is undertaken on all the days’ up to Navami during this Navratri. Pooja (worship) of all nine countenances of Goddess Durga (1-Shailputri 2-Brahmacharini 3-Chandraghanta 4-Kushmanda 5-Skandhmata 6-Katyayani 7-Kalratri 8-Mahagauri 9-Sidhidatri) is done with devotion. This periodic Anushthan (prayer) is very fruitful and fulfills desires of the devotee. Scriptural method of the Durga Saptashati path is given below:
On first day ofNavratri devotee should sit facing east after taking bath on an Aasan (a small carpet). Pure water, idol or picture of Goddess Durga, Durga Saptashti book and other Pooja (worship) items should be kept nearby. Put a square stool, cover it with a new white cloth, draw images/symbols of Navgraha Manda/ on it with Roli (red powder) or with five colours. In all the Vedic Poojas God Ganesh, Durga, Varun (Kalash), Shodash (sixteen) Matrika, Chatushashthi (sixty four) Yoginis, Vastoshpati, Saptarishi, Ashta (eight) Chirinjivi, Kshetrapal, Sapta Ghrit Matrika, Dash Dikpal, Panch Lokpal and Navgrahs along with their Adhi and Pratyadhi Devtas are invited and worshiped. Taking sand/soil in a suitable clay or metal vessel, barley seeds should be sown inside the vessel. Then Pooja should be started with total devotion. First of all body should be purified by sprinkling Gangajal (water of Ganges), then do the Aachman (Drinking of little water), Aasanshudhi (purification of the seat), Lighting the Deepak (clay or metal lamp) for either till the Pooja ends or till the end of last Navratri. Offer flowers, rice with Roli (red powder) to Deep Jyoti (lighted lamp). Karampatra Poojan (worship of water vessel to be used in the worship) and Disha (directions) purification should be done thereafter. Do Sankalp after Swastivachan (Reciting of Hymns for well being). Invite various Gods and worship them with Vedic Mantras, Thorough worship of chief Goddess Durga’s idol should be done (with Aavahan (invitation), Aasan (seat), Padya (water for washing the feet), Arghya (water for washing the hands), Aachman (water for drinking), Snaan (bath), Panchamrit Snaan (bath with milk, yogourt, clarified butter, honey and sugar), Vastra (clothes), Upvastra, Gandh (red powder), rice,- flower, turmeric, Sindoor (vermilion), perfume, Dhoop (inscence paste), Deep (Lamp), Shringar (make-up) items, sweet, fruit, betel-leaf, Dakshina (money), Aarti (Moving the lighted lamps or camphor circularly round the murti(idol)) and Pushpanjali (offering of flowers reciting hymns). Worsh1p of unmarried girl (between 1 to 10 years of age) is recommended. Recite Durga Saptashati by scriptural method. Which is as under:
For self-inner purification take Aachman (little water) four times speaking the following Mantras (hymns):
1-Aum Ayen Aatma Tatvam Shodhyami Namah Svaha
2-Aum Rhin Vidya Tatvam Shodhyami Namah Svaha
3-Aum Klin Shiv Tatvam Shodhyami Namah Svaha
4-Aum Ayen Hrin Klin Sarvam Tatvam Shodhyami Namah Svaha
After Pratigya Sankalpa Worship the book of Durga Saptashati. Drop Viniyog (drops of water) near the Aasan (seat) on earth recite Kawach, Argala, and Keelak Stotras. Then in Navarna Vidhi perform Rishadinyas, Karanyas, Rhidiyadinyas, Aksharanyas, Dinganyas. Chant 108 times Navarna Mantra (Om Ayen Rhin Klin Chamundayayee Viche). Recite 13 chapters of Durga Saptashati clearly; it should not be too loud and fast. Concentrate your mind in Maa Durga and try to understand the meaning of Mantras (hyms) at the time of reciting. After that do Nyas Kriya and chanting of Navarna Mantra 108 times. Thereafter, recite the Pradhanik Rahashya, Vaikratik Rahashya, Murti Rahashya, Kshama Prarthana, Devi Aparadh Kshamapan Stotra and Sidh Kunjika Stotra do Aarti followed by Pushpanjali (offering of flowers reciting hymns from Vedas). This Anusthaan (prayer) is very-very effective to get rid of all types. of problems. For specific problems chanting of specific Mantras (hymns) from the Durga Saptashati are recommended:
*For getting blessed with son and acquiring wealth:
Om Sarvabadha Vinurmukto Dhandhanya Sutanvzta Manushyomat Prasaaden Bhavishyati Na Sanshayah
*For getting rid of all kinds of adversities:
Om Sharangat Dinart Paritran Parayane, Sarvasyarti Hare Devi Narayani Namostute.
*For getting a good wife:
Om Patnim Manoram Dehi Manovrittanusarineem’ Tareneem Durgasansar Sagarasye Kulodbhavam.
*For getting rid of fear:
Om Sarva Swaroope Sarveshe Sarvshakti Samanvite’ Bhayebhyastrahino Devi Durge Devi Namostute.
*For acquiring wealth:
Om Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Lakshmirupen Sansthita, r Namastasyei Namastasyei Namastasyei Namo Namah
*For vanishing diseases:
Om Rogansheshanpahansi Tushta Rusta Tu Kaman Saklanbhishtan,
Tvamashritanam Na Vipannrananam Tvamashrita Hyashraytam Prayanti.
*For protecting oneself:
Om Shoolena Pahino Devi Pahi Khadgen Chambike, Ghanta Swanena Nah Pahi Chapajjanih Swanen Ch.
*For removing problems and enemy:
Sarvabadha Pprashamanam Trailkyashyakhileshwari. Ave Maive Tvaya Karyamasmad Vairy Vinashanam.
*For good health and fortune:
Dehi Saubhagyamarogyam Dehi Me Paramam Sukham.
Roopam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi.
*For attaining power:
Srishtisthiti Vinashanam Shaktibhute Sanatani. Gunashreya Gunamaye Narayani Namostute.
Story
Once there was a King named Surath, who had a luxurious life and an army of unfaithful ministers. He lost his Kingdom because of his luxurious life and unfaithful ministers and was sent to exile. He met a merchant named Samadhi. Both, under distress, went to a hermitage and asked for remedy to their problems. The saint told them that by invoking Goddess Durga one could set himself free from worldly bondage of kith and kin, relatives, royalty, love, and affection. One who invokes with some desire is blessed with the fulfillment of the desire. King Surath and Samadhi both invoked Goddess Durga in the Navratri. As a result, King Surath regained his Kingdom and Samadhi set himself free from the worldly bondage.
Aum Namah Shivaye
Source: Book: Hindu Festivals By Shashi Kant Kaushik