Today is the fifth day of Navaratri, belonging to Devi Skandamata. She is the mother of Lord Kartikeya. This Devi is worshipped for the birth of children and their wellbeing. On the sixth day after the birth of a child, this Devi is worshipped. She sits on a large lotus ...

According to South Indian tradition, first 3 days of the Navaratri belong to Goddess Durga and the next 3 days to Goddess Lakshmi. Most homes have Ashtalakshmi photos or idols and they are placed in the Golu. Goddess Lakshmi appeared when the milky ocean was churned by the Devas and ...

On the fourth day of Navaratri, Devi Kushmanda is worshipped. This Devi is also called the Ashtabhuji Mata because She has 8 arms. She is sitting on either lion or tiger. Her hands have a flower, Kamandalu, Japa Mala, bow, arrow, Mace, sword, Sudarshan Chakra and Amruta Kalasha. Since it ...

The third day of Navaratri belongs to Devi Chandraghanta. A crescent moon adorns the forehead of this Devi like a bell. Thus, Her name is Chandraghanta. She has several weapons in her 10 hands and is always ready to vanquish the evil. She protects devotees from unknown fear, fear of ...

On the second day of Navaratri, Devi Brahmacharini form of Goddess Durga is worshipped. She has kamandalu and japamala in Her hands. Because she is continuously meditating and fulfills the Brahmacharya Vrata, She is called Brahmacharini. There is a saying combining Savitri, Gayatri, Saraswati, Sharade and Brahmacharini together. She gives ...

Today is the first day of Navaratri. Some spiritual people say that this time the Devi has descended to the earth from the heavens on an elephant. After placing the kumbha and the dolls in the pooja area, we have to begin the pooja. We have to apply an auspicious ...

Yesterday, North Indians performed Pitru Visarjan Amavasya. It was Chaturdashi in the morning and Amavasya came in the evening. So, South Indians are celebrating Amavasya today, since it is in the morning. This morning, they are celebrating Sarva Pitru Amavasya in South Indian Mathas since it needs a lot of ...

Continuing with yesterday’s post on kumbha worship, some people are beginning the pooja from 21st morning itself. Some people are planning to begin from the 21st evening. Some of them have decided to prepare the kumbha on the 20th itself. Kumbha can be kept on mandasana or a vidhana can ...

Now, we will talk about the kumbha. The kumbha can be of copper, brass, silver or mud. Wash the chosen kumbha well with tamarind and rock salt. Some people apply limestone paste over a one-inch area on the expanded portion of the kumbha and then, apply turmeric and kum kum ...

Often my Mom gets queries about how to start doing Navaratri Poojas in South Indian style. Some North Indians from Chennai, who have shifted elsewhere, have begun missing the South Indian Navaratri. She also got a query from a North Indian how to begin the celebrations after taking blessings. She ...