Navratri | Festival of Devi Maa: do's and don'ts to follow till Dussehra.

Navaratri is the most auspicious celebration concerning Devi Maa. Like other festival in India, Navratri is also celebrated differently in different parts of India.

Scientifically and also spiritually one should follow certain basic values during this period in order to have the blessing so that he can live peacefully with all the happiness and progress.

Do's :

• Enlight Akhand Jyot in front of Goddess Durga for all 9 days.
• Eat only Satvic Food that is your food should not include: onion, garlic etc. and only once in a day.
• If you/your family is going through a lot of troubles, then do the following mantra: "om hring dum durgaaye namaha" - but one needs to do Sadhana/meditation before this mantra.
• Give some bhog or offering to Goddess every day; if not possible then milk, fruits, dry fruits should be offered.
• Daily having bath in the morning preferably by 9.00 AM.
• Eat only Satvic Food, only once.
• Give some homemade bhog to Gods every day; if not possible then milk and fruits should be offered.
• Go to temple or do puja to Maa daily in the morning and evening by lighting lamp and offering flower and doing arti.
• Try to give gift to at least 2 small girl children, every day preferably in the evening.
• Earnestly pray to the Goddess Mother to cleanse your Past Karmaas and bring happiness and prosperity in your life.

Don'ts:

• Do not cut nails / visit beauty parlor / cut hair all these days. Do not get tempted by fashion, materialistic desires and lead a simple life.
• Do not stitch or knit during this period.
• Do not tell lies or use harsh words/curse others.
• Do not leave the Jyot to burn it out. After puja you should, with some flowers put to rest the Agni which stood as the witness to your puja and offering.
• Do not dust your home or at least in the Puja Room/Place and in Kitchen.
• Do not wear slipper in the house if possible for all these 9 days or avoid getting into the puja room wearing one.
• Do not study anything on the 9th day; instead you should keep all your books and other modern gadget near the MAA and seek her blessing on this day and then on Vijay Dashami day you should take them and read sitting before MAA.

Follow these simple rules and you will benefit. Getting Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmiyam parayanam done on any one day can bring excellent progress, prosperity and success in your life.