The Hindu month of Magh, which corresponds to January-February on the Gregorian calendar, is one of the most auspicious months of the year. As per the Hindu calendar, in the month of Magh devotees observe the festival of Gupt Navratri. This year, Gupt Navratri begins on February 10. The nine-day festival holds special importance for the devotees of Goddess Durga and the followers of Shakta cult.
Gupt Navratri is a sacred period marked by the worship of various forms of Goddess Durga. Each day of the Navratri is dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga. The nine forms of the goddess are known as ‘Nav Durga’.
The festival, widely observed across north Indian states, falls twice a year as per Hindu calendar in the months of Asadh and Magh. On the other hand the festival of Navratri is observed in the months of Chaitra and Ashwin.
Gupt Navratri: Importance
Pandit Vinod Soni explains that during Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped through specific rituals. Each day of Magh Gupt Navratri is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Notably, this secretive Navratri also involves the worshipping of the ten Mahavidyas – Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwaari, Chhinnamasta, Kali, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Baglamukhi, Matangi and Kamala.
This year, the auspicious period of Gupt Navratri falls in the Ravi yoga and Sarvartha Siddhi yoga, promising significant benefits for those worshipping Goddess Durga with all rituals.
Gupt Navratri: Rituals
The rituals of Gupt Navratri begin with Ghat sthapana, a symbolic ritual marking the invocation of Goddess Durga. Devotees offer makeup items, new clothes, fruits and sweets to the goddesses as part of their devotion.
Moreover, the recitation of Durga Saptashati in both morning and evening hours holds paramount significance during Gupt Navratri. Many devotees also observe day long first on all nine-days during this period while others keep fast on the 8th or 9th day of Gupt Navratri.
Gupt Navratri: Timing
As per panchang, Gupt Navratri rituals should be performed secretly, during the shubh muhurat. The auspicious time for ghatasthapana for Gupt Navratri falls between 7:10 AM and 8:02 AM on February 10, according to Drik Panchang.
The nine-day festival begins on the Pratibpada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Magh.
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