What Can One Do If They Are Unable To Fast For All Nine Days Of Navaratri ?

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What Can One Do If They Are Unable To Fast For All Nine Days Of Navaratri ?

If you are unable to fast for all nine days, then fasting on Sapthami (7th day), Ashthami (8th day), and Navami (9th day) are advised. If you are unable to do that, then you should try to fast at least on Ashthami (8th day) alone and offer your prayers to Goddess Durga to get her blessings. The 8th Day is called Durga Ashtami and this is a very special day among the nine days. According to puranas, on this day, Goddess Durga destroyed Thatcha’s yaaga and appeared with millions of Yogini Devis. That is why Ashthami day is a very special day during this festival.

Pregnant and lactating ladies as well as those undergoing their menstruation are not advised to fast. The same applies to the elderly and those with medical conditions as well as those under medications. Don’t fast if you can’t. Mother Goddess will not punish her “children” for not fasting.

Also, according to Pavisya Purana, one can just offer flowers and water during the prayers if you are unable to prepare in a grand manner. The most important thing is that you must do the Navaratri pooja with a pure heart and Mother Goddess will accept it happily.

To all those whom are unable or do not wish to observer fasting during this period, you are advised to observe vegetarianism and avoid alcohol during these 9 days.

9 Days Of Navaratri

The 9 days of Navaratri are dedicated to the 9 forms of Mother Goddess. The first day is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri. The second day is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini. The third days is dedicated to Goddess Chandragantha. The fourth day is dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda, the fifth day is dedicated to Goddess Skanda Mata, Goddess Katyayani is prayed on the sixth day, Goddess Kaalratri on the seventh day, Goddess Maha Gauri on the 8th day, and Goddess Siddhidatri on the ninth day of Navaratri.

At times, the 9 days of Navaratri are also celebrated as a festival to beget the blessings of Goddess Parvathi, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswathi. The first 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Parvathi, the second 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, and the last 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi.

The 10th day of Navaratri which falls on the Dasami thithi day is called Dussehra (also known as Vijaya Dasami). On the 10th day, Goddess Durga slayed the demon Mahishasura and therefore, she is known as Mahishasura Mardini. Therefore during Navaratri, you are also advised to chant the Mahishasura Mardini Gayatri Mantra and Mashishasura Mardini Stotra apart from the mantras dedicated to each Goddesses of a particular day.

Day Of FestivalTithi Goddesses Pooja For The Day

First Day Pratipada / Prathama Shailaputri Shailaputri Pooja

Second Day Dwithiya Brahmacharini Brahmacharini Pooja

Third Day Thrithiya Chandragantha Chandragantha Pooja

Fourth Day Chaturthi Kushmanda Bhouma Chaturthi

Fifth Day Panchami Skanda Mata Lalita Vrata & Skanda Mata Pooja

Sixth Day Shashthi Katyayani Saraswathi Avahana & Katyayani Pooja

Seventh Day Sapthami Kaalratri Saraswathi Pooja, Kaalratri Pooja, & Utsava

Eight Day Ashtami Maha Gauri Saraswathi Pooja, Durga Ashtami, Maha Gauri Pooja, & Chandi Pooja

Ninth Day Navami Siddhidatri Ayudha Pooja & Kanya Pooja

Tenth Day Dasami Durga Durga Pooja

Coun't..............