Durga Navaratri is a festival of nine days beginning from the first day of Asweejam month which generally falls in September or October. The important events during Durga Navaratri utsavam are – Navavarana pujas, Chandi yagam, Rudrayagam, Navadurga alankaras to Goddess and Vahana sevas to presiding divine couples – Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy.

During Dasara Navratri celebrations, special pujas and archanas are offered to Lord Mallikarjuna swamy. Bramarambika Devi worshipped in 9 forms of Navadurga. Sri Bramaramba sametha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple is located at Srisailam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the 12 jyothirling (prominent temples of Lord Shiva) and Astadasa Shakti Peetha (18 prominent temples of Mother Goddess).

Navaratri – Celebrations for nine days in Srisailam:

The celebrations of Dasara Navratri begin with the Ganapati Pooja followed by the Kalasa Sthapana and ends with Poornahuthi. During daily celebrations various religious rituals like Srichakrarchana, Navavarana pooja, Anustanams, Devi Sapthasathi, Parayanas, etc., besides Yagams are performed.

Kumari Pooja and Suhasini Pooja are also performed at evening hours. In the Kumari Pooja girls within the age group of between 2 to 8 years and in Suhasini Pooja Soubhagyavati (a woman whose husband is alive) are worshiped as deities. The Dampathi (Couple) Pooja is also took part on Mahanavami day i.e., on the 9th day in which pooja is offered to five couples. This day closes with the offering of sacrificial rice, breaking of pumpkins, coconuts etc., to the Goddess as Satvikabali.

Shami Puja on Vijaya Dashami:

After the completion of nine festive nights, on the day of Dasara festival Poornahuthi of Chandiyagam and Rudrayagam are performed in the day time. In the evening on Vijaya Dashami, Shami Pooja (worship to Prosopia tree) is performed. It is said that by seeing the Shami pooja one can succeed in his every activity.

Navadurga Alankar to Bramarambika Devi:

The Navadurga Alankaras offered to utsava Vigraham of Goddess Bhramaramba in these utsavams are Saila Putri (Parvathi), Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmandadurga, Skandamatha, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagouri and Siddhidayini. In the evening hours of every day special poojas are performed to these Alankaramurthies.

Vahana Sevas during Navratri:

Apart the above various sevas Vahana Sevas viz., Bhringivahanam, Mayuravahanam, Ravana Vahanam, Kailasa Vahanam, Hamsavahanam, Seshavahanam, Nandivahanam, Gaja Vahanam and Aswavahanam are offered to God and Goddess. The procession of both the Alankaram, and Vahanam are arranged on a grand manner every day.

Courtesy: Offical Website of Srisailam temple

Durga Navratri at Kanakadurga temple at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, is the most celebrated festival season. 2009 Navaratri Utsavalu begins on September 19 and ends on September 28 with Dasara (Vijaya Dashami). With Kalasha Sthapana Pooja, celebrations will start at the temple. On Padyami, the first day of Navarathri, Goddess Durga is decorated in Sri Swarna Kavachalankrutha Durga Devi Alankaram. On concluding day, Vijaya Dashami, Durga is worshiped in Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi Alankaram.

Here is the list of Alankarams of Goddess Durga during Sharan Navarathri 2009:

• Day 1 – Ashwayuja Padyami – Sri Swarna Kavachalankruta Durga Devi – 19 September
• Day 2 – Ashwayuja Vidiya – Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi – 20 September
• Day 3 – Ashwayuja Thadiya – Sri Gayatri Devi – 21 September
• Day 4 – Ashwayuja Chavithi – Sri Annapurna Devi – 22 September
• Day 5 – Ashwayuja Panchami – Lalitha Panchami – Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi – 23 September
• Day 6 – Ashwayuja Shashti – Maha Shashti – Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi – 24 September
• Day 7 – Ashwayuja Saptami – Maha Saptami – Sri Maha Saraswati Devi – 25 September
• Day 8 – Ashwayuja Ashtami – Durga Ashtami – Sri Durga Devi – 26 September
• Day 9 – Ashwayuja Navami – Maha Navami – Sri Mahishasura Mardhini Devi – 27 September
• Day 10 – Ashwayuja Dashami – Vijaya Dashami – Dasara – Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi – 28 September

On Vijaya Dashami, the Navaratri celebrations will be concluded with Teppotsavam when Kanakadurga is taken out for a procession in the river Krishna. Theppotsavam 2009 date is 28 September.

It is to be noted that Maha Saraswati Devi alankaram is also remained on 26th September 2009 till 8 am. Darshanam will start from 10 am. Two hours will be allotted to decorate the Goddess in Durga Devi alankara. Teppotsavam is started at 5 pm on 28th September 2009.

Courtesy: Official website of Vijayawada Kanakadurga (Durga Malleshwara Swamy temple) Temple

Durga Navratri is the most celebrated festive season for Hindus. Nine auspicious days dedicated to Goddess Durga (Mother Goddess) are observed as Durga Navaratri. In 2010, Durga Navratri starts with Kalash Puja on October 8 and ends with Vijaya Dashami on October 17. Lalita Panchami, Maha Saptami, Durgashtami, Maha Navami and Vijaya Dashami are the main festivals during Saran Navaratri Pooja.

Durga Navaratra puja is observed with great enthusiasm in Gujarat. Dandia and Garbha dances are performed during Navratri season in Gujarati cities like Ahmedabad, Baroda, Gandhi Nagar and Surat. In Bengal, Durga Navratri is observed as Durga Puja which mainly starts on Durga Saptami. Shandhi Puja, Shidhor Khela, Kanya Pooja and Mahanavami puja are the main rituals during Navratri for Bengali people. In North India, on Vijaya Dashami, Ramleela is observed. Ravanasur Vadha, Kumbhakarna Vadha and Meghanath Vadha are the main events in Ramleela. Vijaya Dashami is also called as Aparajita Dashami and on this day Aparajita puja and Shami Puja are performed.

Durga Navratri 2010 dates:

• Kalasha Sthapana – 8 October 2010
• Preeti Dwitiya – 9 October 2010
• Lalita Panchami 2010 – 12 October 2010
• Maha Sashti or Durga Shashti – 13 October 2010
• Durga Saptami or Maha Saptami – 14 October 2010
• Durgashtami or Mahashtami – 15 October 2010
• Bathukamma 2010 Festival in Andhra Pradesh – 15 October 2010
• Mahanavami – 16 October 2010
• Ayudha Puja in South India – 16 October 2010
• Vijaya Dashami – 17 October 2010
• Ayudha Puja in North India – 17 October 2010
• Vidyarambham in Kerala – 17 October 2010

In Andhra Pradesh, Durga Navratri is observed with utmost devotion in Vijayawada Kanakadurga (Durga Malleshwara swamy) temple. One more important thing during Navaratri in Andhra Pradesh is – Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateshwara Brahmotsavam (Annual brahmotsavalu) coincides with Durga Navaratri.

According to some scriptures, in ancient times, Durga Navratri festival was a special festival for the Kshatriyas. The four-month long monsoon season was a critical time to perform any type of military activity. Hence, the Kshatriyas start their activities for new conquests. Kings worship Navadurga, nine manifestations of the Mother Goddess, before 9 days of beginning their army activities. The tenth day of the puja was considered as the day to begin their journey towards the battle field.

Durga or the Mother Goddess is the Goddess of War and courage as per Hinduism. As Kshatriyas or Kings give more preference to courage and war, Durga was considered as their Kul Devata. Ayudha Puja was one of the most celebrated events during Navaratri in ancient times of Kings and Kshatriyas. Kings perform Ayudha Puja on Durgashtami (eighth day) or on Mahanavami (ninth day) and moved forward to the battle field on Vijaya Dasami day.

In ancient times, during Durga Navarathri festival, animal acrifices were also performed to please Goddess Durga.

Durga Navaratri Pooja dates in 2009

Nine Colours of Navratri 2009

Legend of Navratri – Durga Navaratri Story

Aindri Puja or Indrani Pooja is observed during Ashada Navratri. In 2009, the date of Aindri Puja or Indrani Pooja is June 29, Monday. Aindri, also known as Indrani, Indri, Mahendri, Devendri, Shakri and Vajri, is one of the Saptamatrikas, the seven devine mother Goddesses who helped Goddess Shakti in demolishing Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Appearance of Goddess Indrani:

Goddess Indrani or Indri is the power of Lord Indra, the King of the heaven. Goddess Indrani is depicted as fierce goddess. Indrani appeared as dark skinned, with two or four or sometimes with six arms. Indrani’s vehicle is Airavata, the divine elephant.

Sometimes, Indrani is depicted with thousand eyes. She carries the weapons – Vajra (thunderbolt), goad, noose; and holds lotus stalk in one of her arms. Indrani is adorned with various ornaments such as Kirita Mukuta (Diamond Crown) on her head.

On the day of Indrani Puja, Mahishasura Mardhini Pooja is also observed. Mahishasura Mardhini is one of the manifestations of Goddess Durga.