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Navratra
comes twice a year. One comes after Holi,
somewhere in March-April, which in Chait ke
deviya or guddi parwa and the second before
Dussehra i.e. in October which is kunwar ki
deviya.
From this day Deviji's worshipping and fasts
starts. In some families priest is called for
doing proper Devi sthapana, worship and aarti.
Worship is offered twice a day (morning &
evening).
However in most of the houses people do the
puja themselves along with their family
members.
At their regular place of worship devijis
moorti or photograph sthapana is done. In some
families only male member of the family offer
this Pooja. However in present times mostly
convenience is considered and pooja is offered
as per each family tradition.
Twice a day Deviji's stuti, Chandi chariter,
Devi chaalisa, Bhoog,and Aarti is read
Every night after Puja one story is also read
out citing Deviji's mahima(greatness). There
are four stories . The first three stories are
repeated one after another. However Fourth
story is told only on Ashtami. These four
stories in their respective order are : King
and Washerman’s story, Deviji Tobadi story,
Story of Bad’s daughter, Gaurajori bahu’s
story. After story telling Halwa-Chana,
Halwa-Puri or pera's prasad is given to
everybody.
According to each family rules and tradition,
on saptami (7th day), ashtami or naumi(9th
day) the pooja is concluded after offering
food to (8th day) kanyao and langore (virgin
girls or boys). Which is mostly
halwa,chana,puri,aaloo ki baaji,dahi ki pakori.
Before feeding them their feets are washed and
then teeka of chop bendi or tilak is done on
their forehead.Along with food they are also
given henna, kalawa and money. As one desire
one can also give them additional gifts like
plate,glass or katori etc. If it is not
possible to invite and fed them at home then
as per convenience plates filled with food or
halwa poori and chana is sent to their houses.
Some people read full Ramayan during Navratre.
Mostly fast is kept on parwa and Ashtami but
those who read Ramayan, they keep fasts on all
the nine days. They eat food at night only. On
Naumi after completing full Ramayan,
worshipping the ramyan book and offering
worship and bhoog fast is completed. Everyday
before reading Ramayan "Aahavan Mantra" and
after completing Ramayan "Iti Dhyanam" is
read, daily.
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