Significance of Navratri’s Saptami and Ashtami Falling on Same Day

The celebration of Shardiya Navratri in the year 2024 sees a unique occurrence with the overlapping of the Saptami and Ashtami on October 10. Traditionally, when Saptami coincides with Ashtami, it is considered inauspicious according to scriptures. As a result, the traditional observances related to Ashtami, including the worship of Goddess Mahagauri and the important ritual of Kanya Pujan, will be conducted on Friday, October 11. Kanaka Puja for Mahanavami will also take place on this date.

An integral part of Navratri is the worship of Goddess Kalaratri on the seventh day. Known as one of the fierce forms of Navdurga, Goddess Kalaratri is depicted with three eyes and a garland of lightning hanging around her neck. Despite her fearsome form, she is revered as a benevolent goddess dedicated to the welfare of her devotees, earning her the title “Shubhankari.”

The deity’s worship holds significant benefits. Astrologically, it is believed that worshipping Goddess Kalaratri can provide protection against enemies and adversaries, eliminate fear, accidents, and diseases, and neutralize the effects of negative energies. Additionally, her worship is known to yield remarkable results in controlling the influence of the planet Saturn.

The ritualistic worship of Goddess Kalaratri involves offering lit lamps filled with ghee and red flowers. It is also considered auspicious to offer jaggery as an offering. Devotees recite mantras or conduct ‘Saptashati’ chanting, sharing half of the offered jaggery with family members while donating the remainder to a Brahmin. Devotees are cautioned against wearing black clothing or using the ritual for malicious intent.

To calm adversaries, worshippers are advised to don white or red garments while performing rituals at night. The ritual includes lighting a lamp before the goddess and offering jaggery, followed by chanting the ‘Navarn Mantra’ 108 times, dropping a clove on each chant. These cloves are then burned in a fire to pacify enemies.

There are additional rituals recommended during Navratri, such as the worship of Goddess Lakshmi with rose offerings and lighting lamps, followed by 16 recitations of ‘Shri Suktam,’ believed to resolve financial troubles.

The Saptami, beginning at sunrise and lasting until 12:31 PM, marks significant timings like Brahma Muhurta, Pratah Sandhya, Abhijit Muhurta, and more, providing ideal windows for rituals.

Devotees honor the rituals including the purification of the home, offering prayers and chants, and adorning the goddess with red and yellow flowers, ensuring the sanctity of the prayer environment. Goddess Kalaratri is believed to protect her worshippers from premature death and vanquish all negative energies from their lives.