Back to United States Calendar
Spiritual Significance
Sharad Navratri is the most widely celebrated of the four annual Navratris and falls in the autumn month of Ashwin. Over nine nights and ten days, devotees worship Goddess Durga in her nine divine forms (Navadurga), culminating in Dussehra (Vijayadashami). The festival symbolizes the eternal battle between good and evil and Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
How to Celebrate in United States
Observing Sharad Navratri Begins in United States is highly auspicious. Because local timezone sunrise and moonrise times differ, follow these practices:
- Align Fasting with Local Sunrise: Start your vrat precisely at sunrise in New York (approx 06:00 local time), rather than following Indian Standard Time.
- Perform Puja during local Auspicious Hours: Make sure to perform the main rituals during local EST evening/night windows as shown above.
- Ghatasthapana with Saptashati parayana
- Daily Goddess puja with red flowers and vermilion
- Garba and Dandiya Raas dance in Gujarat and Rajasthan
- Recitation of Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati)
- Kanya Puja on the 8th or 9th day with sacraments
Auspicious Items to Prepare
🌸 Red hibiscus flowers🌸 Sindoor🌸 Coconut🌸 Red bangles🌸 Kumkum