Gupt Navratri 2024: A Time of Devotion and Spiritual Practice

In Hinduism, Navratri holds special significance. As we can make out from the name itself, it signifies nine nights. Thus, the festival is observed for continuous 9 nights to revere Maa Durgaa. In the whole year, Navratris occur four times. While most of us know about the Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri, there are also two lesser known Navratris, called Gupt Navratri. 

This Navratri happens during the months of Magh and Ashada. Gupt Navratri is celebrated with great devotion and belief in the central North India in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, among others.

How is Gupt Navratri different from the Navratri? 

People rever nine forms of the Maa Ambey (Durga) during Navratri. And in Gupt Navratri, worship, prayers, archna, and sadhna are dedicated to the Goddess's ten Mahavidyas (das mahavidya). Worshiping the Goddess during Gupt Navratri leads to attainment of the knowledge, skills and spirituality. Performing Durga puja is highly beneficial provided it is done in the right manner. One can book puja online to perform it most authentically at Future Point. 

The puja will be performed by priests well versed in Vedic rituals so that the person gets the full benefits of the puja. You can book puja online and attain blessings and prosperity during this highly auspicious Gupt Navratri. 

The festival has close associations with Tantra Vidhya. Sadhaks and Tantriks, practitioners of spiritual disciplines, utilize this time to worship Goddess Durga and seek her blessings. It's an opportune period for Sadhaks and Tantriks to achieve spiritual accomplishments through various rituals such as hawan, chanting tantrik and shabar mantras, meditation, hatha yoga, and observing strict fasting. 

When is Gupt Navratri? 

According to the Hindu Panchang 2024, the first Magh Gupt Navratri will begin on February 10, 2024, on the Pratipada Tithi of the Shukla Paksha and conclude on Sunday, February 18. During these nine days, worship, prayers, and devotion to the different forms of the Mother Goddess will be observed. The Goddess blesses the devotees with peace, prosperity, and happiness in their lives. The first Navratri falls on a Saturday, and two auspicious yoga will make Navratri even more special. 

Auspicious Timings for Gupt Navratri, 2024 

Pratipada Tithi: Starts at 04:28 AM, 10th February - 12:47 AM, 11th February

Also Read: Mahashivratri 2024: Date, Importance, & Puja Vidhi

Gupt Navratri Shubh Yoga

On February 10, 2024, which happens to be a Saturday, two auspicious yoga alignments will form. These two yogas hold great significance, according to the Vedic Panchang. Ravi Yoga
and Sarvarthasiddhi Yoga are forming on the first day of Gupt Navratri this year. This enhances the importance of Navratri and brings twice the benefits when worship and prayers are offered to the Mother Goddess during these yogas. People who worship during this muhurata get success and fortunes. Let's find out the auspicious timings for Gupt Navratri and the time for Ghatasthapana. 

Ghatasthapana Muhurata 

Ghat Sthapana (installation of the Kalash) is an important ritual of Gupt Navratri. It is recommended to place the Kalash in the Ishan (northeast) direction, as this is highly auspicious. If done during an auspicious Muhurat, it yields even more favourable results. The auspicious timing for Ghat Sthapana:

• February 10, 2024- from 8:44 AM to 10:11 AM
• Abhijit Muhurat- from 12:12 PM to 12:59 PM on the same date. 

Significance of Gupt Navratri: 

During Gupt Navratri, devotees perform worship, prayers, and spiritual practices dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas instead of worshipping the nine forms of the Mother Goddess. Tantric mantras and Siddhi are achieved during Gupt Navratri. Many devotees and ascetics perform secretive worship of Goddess Durga during Gupt Navratri, fulfilling their desires and attaining Siddhi. On each day of Gupt Navratri, devotees offer cloves in the morning and evening as an offering to the Goddess to attract over all prosperity. 

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How to do Puja on Gupt Navratri?

1. Wake up early and take a bath before starting any puja rituals.
2. Ensure your house, especially the puja room, is thoroughly cleaned.
3. Wear clean clothes and install the statue or image of the deity on a wooden plank.
4. Light a diya with pure desi ghee infront of the idol.
5. Adore the Goddess with garlands, new clothes, tilak, and sindoor. Perform ghatasthapana, put some rice, and place the coconut on top.
6. One should do chanting of mantras and sing hymns.
7. Don't consume anything throughout the day, however fruits can be taken. You can eat once in the evening, which should be sattvik food.
8. In the evening, perform puja to the Goddess again and conduct an aarti. 

Some Mantras one can chant to please Goddess Durga during Gupt Navratri:

" Om kathyayanaya vidamahe kanyakumari dhemahe thanno Durgi Prachodayat!!"
" Om Mahaa-Devyai Cha Viddhmahe, Durgaayai Cha Dhimahee, Thanno Durgeh Prachothayath!!"

May Maa Durga Bless Us All!