​When does Navratri start? 5 traditional practices to be performed on the first day of Navratri to bring in good luck​

Some stories are meant to remain timeless, stories of a fight that make every soul feel inspired and a feeling of rebirth while listening. Navratri, one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, literally means 'nine nights,' during which devotees worship Goddess Durga in her nine divine forms, honouring the eternal battle between good and evil and the triumph of righteousness. This year marking the start on September 22, Monday, it continues for nine nights until Wednesday, October 1. The festival comes to an end with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Thursday, October 2. Navratri symbolizes the divine feminine power (Shakti) embodied by Goddess Durga. It is a time to seek her blessings for strength, wisdom, and protection from evil forces. The festival resonates with the rhythms of nature, lunar cycles, and seasonal change, invoking spiritual renewal as devotees fast, pray, and celebrate with music, dance, and rituals. Here are 5 rituals that devotees generally believe should be observed during this time to reach a bit closer to Maa Durga.

On the first day, there is also chanting of holy prayers like the Durga Saptashati also known as the Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path -a potent scripture describing Goddess Durga's divine triumphs over evil forces. The devotees concentrate on certain mantras for Shailaputri, developing concentration, devotion, and identification with the goddess's power. This chanting sets a calm, sacred atmosphere, raising the vibration of the soul and attracting positive energies. The repetitive rhythmic movements bring inner peace and reverence, offering an inner sense of strength and safety. This spiritual exercise is thought to clear blockages on the path of life, attract prosperity, and inspire good fortune during Navratri and afterwards.

The first day of Navratri begins with the sacred ritual of Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana. A pot (Kalash) containing holy water, betel nuts, coins, and grains is set on soil with a bed of soil where barley seeds are planted. A coconut covered in red cloth is set upon it, which symbolizes purity and prosperity. Mango leaves are set around the Kalash, which symbolize fertility and life. This ritual is not only a matter of inviting Goddess Durga but calling prosperity, peace, and good energy into the home as well. The devotees feel that the Kalash is full of divine strength and serves as a container for the blessings of Goddess Durga. Once fixed, the Kalash is left untouched for nine days, and around it, the devotees do prayers and rituals. Barley seed sprouting is also regarded as a symbol of growth, rebirth, and achievement in subsequent activities.

There is a special and and ancient custom done on the inaugural day of Navratri that involves the application of a tika of kajal and choona at the entrance of homes. As per the ancient beliefs, right from the first day of Navratri till Saptami, a number of female spirits are said to roam on earth. These restless spirits are said to bring about disturbances if they are not kept at bay. The tika serves as a protective sign that keeps these roaming spirits away and doesn't allow negative energies to find entry into the house. Kajal has been recognized as cooling and protective in mythology, whereas choona represents purity and cleansing. Together, they create an effective barrier that is said to protect the family until Goddess Durga enters in all her glory. This practice is not merely a ritual but the strong ingrained belief of generating secure, auspicious environments during divine celebrations when positive energy can reign uninterrupted.

During the first day, numerous families conduct the Shodashopachara Puja, or 16 steps of worship, to pay respects to Goddess Durga. These steps entail the offering of water, sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, lamps, and food, as well as reciting certain mantras. Each of these offerings is symbolic in nature, of hospitality, and the Goddess is welcomed like an honored guest in the home. For example, water offered symbolizes purification, flowers represent purity, incense signifies prayers going to heaven, and food signifies gratitude. This elaborate puja can change in scope based on family cultures, but the spirit is the same-demonstrating love and offering to the Goddess in all forms. Whether done with complete faith or not, performing all this is said to shower health, prosperity, and spiritual satisfaction. It is also a lovely method of uniting generations, because children are usually taken through every step by elders, and thus traditions are passed down, strengthening familial bonds and preserving cultural heritage.

Another very strong tradition is the lighting of the Akhand Jyot or eternal lamp.The term is a combination of ‘Akhand’ which means uninterrupted or unextinguished and ‘jyot’ that means flame. A diya is lit using ghee or oil and kept close to the Kalash or the idol of Goddess. This lamp is kept lit round the clock for the entire nine days of Navratri, representing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The flame is kept alight in rotation by families, as it is strongly believed to be very inauspicious if the flame is doused. The Akhand Jyot is regarded as the Goddess herself present in the house, lighting it up with divine energy and protection. It is said to drive away negativity and attract spiritual strength, prosperity, and harmony. Watching the flame also brings a sense of calmness and devotion in the hearts of devotees. The sacred light thus becomes the spiritual heartbeat of Navratri celebrations.