Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated in the month of autumn. The nine forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped during this festival. During springtime also Navratras are observed until Ram Navami. This is one of the main religious festivals of the Hindus. This year Navaratri will be celebrated from October 17 to October 25.
The devotees observe these nine days by fasting and worshipping to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga. According to the scriptures, if Vaastu rules are followed while observing the Navratri, the results are much better and can fulfill wishes.
We will discuss a few Vaastu rules that can be followed during the nine days. Those who are not fasting, abstain from taking non-vegetarian food and alcohol during Navratri. Satwik food is taken instead of spicy and hot food. People take rock salt instead of regular packaged salt.
Devotees must maintain celibacy. The Navratri is meant for introspection, self-realization, self-discipline, self-control, and spiritual awakening. For best results, regular meditation should be done.
The foremost thing to do before welcoming the goddess of power i.e. Durga is to clean the house. Old and unused items like shoes, clothes, empty containers etc must be discarded. Sanitize the surroundings and purify with sandalwood incense sticks and amber. The area, where puja will be performed must be absolutely clean.
If you are using a religious flag, keep it in the northeast of the Mandir or Puja area. The Idol of Ma Durga must face south. But house rules can be different from that of a temple and one should worship facing the east.
During the Navratri, keep the idol of Ma Durga at Northeast. The Akhand Jyoti or uninterrupted Havan for fire worship must be placed at the southeast. The earthen pot or Ghada used during the puja should be kept on a wooden platform. A swastika should be drawn at the place of worship with turmeric or Kumkum. This will make the atmosphere at the puja area positive.
The decoration at the puja area should be taken care of. The decorating colours must be correct. Generally, white, light yellow, light green colours are used. Fresh red flowers are used to offer to Ma Durga during the Puja.
One should wear grey clothes on the first day of the Navratri. On the second day, orange is the designated color. On the third day, a white dress is worn. On the fourth day, the red dress is worn while worshipping and on the fifth day, royal blue is recommended. On the sixth day, yellow is worn to worship Goddess Katyayani. Green is recommended on the 7th day of Navratri. On the eighth day (Ashtami), Maha Gauri is worshipped. The colour peacock green represents the desires and wishes that get fulfilled. On the ninth day (Navami), the Siddhidhatri form of Goddess Durga is worshipped. The colour purple represents ambition, goal, and energy.