Updated; 19-09-2025; Author: Ashritha Pendkar
Are you preparing for Navratri Puja?
Then, you will find useful tips on the Spiritual Importance of Navratri
Navratri, which means “nine nights,” is an extremely devotional Hindu festival.
It stands for the victory of the good over the evil; thus, it is a festival that celebrates the power of Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
These 9 days are celebrated for the Mother Goddess in her Shakti aspect, hence spiritual renewal and austerity are encouraged.
Each day honours a different Goddess, whose strength, richness, and wisdom show her divinity.
Essential Items for Navratri Puja at Home
1. Picture: An idol or a photograph of Goddess Durga.
2. Kalash: The major aspect of this puja is a ritual pot (brass or earthen) which symbolises the cosmos.
3. Soil and Grains: Pure soil in a minimum quantity and “Nav Dhanya” (nine different kinds of grains or seeds).
4. Puja Essentials: On the altar, a red cloth, water, Ganga Jal (holy water), coins, mango leaves, a coconut with husk, ghee, and cotton wicks for a lamp (diya) are used.
5. Offerings: Flowers (especially red), fruits, sweets, kumkum, turmeric powder, chandan (sandalwood paste), betel leaves, and areca nuts.
6. Other items: Incense sticks (agarbatti), camphor (kapoor), and a bell (ghanti).
Significance of the 9 Days
The first three days of the festival are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Tamas), the destroyer of evil;
the middle days to Goddess Lakshmi (Rajas), who represents material and economic growth;
And the last three days to Saraswati (Sattva), who imparts wisdom and knowledge.
Personal spiritual growth is represented. The spiritual path involves self-purification, spiritual/material benefits, and enlightenment and liberation.
Do’s and Don’ts of Navratri
Do’s:
✅ Cleanliness: Keep your house, mind and soul clean, happy and peaceful.
✅ Fasting: If you are fasting, consume a Sattvik diet consisting of fruits, milk products, and certain grains like kuttu atta (buckwheat flour).
✅ Prayers: Perform morning and evening prayers, chanting mantras as well as reading the Durga Saptashati.
✅ Devotion: Keep your thoughts positive and serene.
✅ Akhand Jyoti: In case you ignite an eternal flame (Akhand Jyoti), make sure that a person is always there to attend it and that it is never left alone.
Don’ts:
✅ Non-vegetarian food: Stay away from non-vegetarian food.
✅ Onion and garlic: Stay away from food cooked with onion and garlic as they are considered to have tamasic or rajasic effects.
✅ Hair and nails: Avoid hair and nails.
✅ Alcohol and tobacco: Stop drinking booze or smoking.
✅ Arguments: Neither fight nor think badly about anyone, try to bring peace and happiness to yourself.
Thanks for reading: What is the Spiritual Importance of Navratri?
Also read :
Devi Navratri : 9 Sweets , 9 Days – Prepare 9 Holy Naivedyam
Kumkumarchana : Steps To Perform Kumkumarchana For Devi Navratri 2025
