Shaid porbl (CIRCULATION SALES REPRESENTATIVE)

The most common chants are: - Durga Chalisa - Argala Stotram - Kunjika Stotram - Durga Saptashati mantras For aarti, people usually sing “Ambe Maa Ni Aarti”, “Jai Ambe Gauri”, and “Jai Adhyashakti” every morning and evening during Navratri.

In my father’s shop, we do Ayudha Puja on the ninth day. We clean and worship all tools, machines, and even vehicles. It is believed to bring success and remove obstacles in business. Customers are also given prasad after the puja.

Most shops start Navratri with Kalash Sthapana and puja of Goddess Lakshmi and Durga. They keep account books in front of the deity and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets. Some also give special discounts to attract customers during these nine days.

In my family, we love rajgira laddoo and sabudana kheer during Navratri. They are filling, tasty, and follow the vrat rules. You can also try fruit-based desserts like apple kheer and banana halwa.

The most famous pandals include:- Bagbazar Pandal – Known for traditional themes. - Kumartuli Park – Where artists create unique idols. - College Square Pandal – Popular for lighting and decorations. - Suruchi Sangha – Famous for theme-based pandals. These pandals are decorated with artistic themes, eco-friendly materials, and grand lighting. Each year, they attract lakhs of visitors from across India and abroad.

In Maharashtra, Navratri begins with Ghatsthapana, where a kalash filled with water, coconut, and mango leaves is installed on soil with barley seeds. Women observe fasts and gather for daily Durga Aarti and bhajans. Specially, Haldi-Kumkum ceremonies are held where married women exchange gifts and pray for prosperity. On Ashtami and Navami, Kanya Pujan is performed, and on Vijayadashami, people worship the Shami tree before starting new ventures.

In my family, we engage kids by teaching them simple mantras like Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche. They also enjoy dressing up in traditional outfits for Garba nights. Festivals become more joyful when children take part actively.

I attended Garba night in New Jersey last year, and the energy was amazing! Thousands of people danced together, just like in Gujarat. The only difference is that celebrations abroad often mix Indian culture with international styles, making it both devotional and festive.

To maintain energy:- Eat small meals multiple times a day (fruits, nuts, milk). - Drink plenty of water, coconut water, or lemon water. - Include protein-rich foods like makhana, paneer, and curd. - Rest well and avoid excessive physical strain. This way, you will feel energetic throughout the nine days while following fasting rules.

Some eco-friendly ways are:- Use clay diyas instead of electric lights. - Decorate with natural flowers and rangoli instead of plastic. - Choose eco-friendly idols made of clay and natural colors. - Avoid loud firecrackers and sound pollution. - Distribute prasad in leaf bowls or steel plates instead of plastic. This way, you can celebrate Navratri with devotion while protecting the environment.

• Gujarat: Famous for Garba and Dandiya. - Maharashtra: Women perform Haldi-Kumkum rituals. - West Bengal: Durga Puja with idols and pandals. - Punjab: Devotees observe fast and worship Mata Rani. - Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra is celebrated after Navratri. - Tamil Nadu: Families keep Bommai Golu (doll display). This diversity shows how one festival takes many forms across India.

In West Bengal, Navratri merges with Durga Puja. Huge idols of Maa Durga are installed, and pandals are beautifully decorated. The focus is on cultural programs, Sindoor Khela, and grand immersion processions. In Gujarat, Navratri is mainly about Garba and Dandiya Raas, performed every night for nine days. Devotees also fast and worship Navadurga at home. In Maharashtra, Navratri is marked by Ghatsthapana and women observing Haldi-Kumkum ceremonies, where married women exchange gifts and pray for prosperity. Thus, each region has its own unique flavor of celebrating the same festival.

In the USA and Canada, Navratri has become one of the biggest Indian cultural events. Large Gujarati communities organize Garba and Dandiya nights in stadiums and community halls. Temples like BAPS Swaminarayan and ISKCON hold special pujas, aartis, and Durga Saptashati recitations. Families also do home puja, fasting, and Kanya Pujan. It is celebrated with the same devotion as in India, but with more focus on cultural programs to keep the young generation connected.

Navratri 2025 and Durga Puja 2025 may look similar but they have different focus:- Navratri: Celebrated across India for nine nights, mainly in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and North India. It involves fasting, daily worship of nine forms of Maa Durga, Garba, and Dandiya dances. - Durga Puja: Celebrated mainly in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Tripura. It is more community-centered with grand pandals, cultural programs, and idol immersions. In 2025, Navratri will start on 22nd September and Durga Puja will be observed during the last five days (Shashti to Dashami), overlapping with Navratri. Both signify victory of good over evil but are celebrated in unique cultural styles.