Hyderabad: Ashadha Gupt Navraatri dedicated to Goddess Durga in the Hindu month of Ashadha is all set to commence today as preparations have been made in Shaktipeeth of Himachal Pradesh for nine day long celebration.
According to the sources, priests will hold a continuous chanting session across various Shaktipeeths in Himachal to pray for the end of coronavirus pandemic. On the second day of Navratri, Brahmacharini form of Goddess Durga is worshipped as devotees pay obeisance to Maa Durga.
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Four Navratras are organized throughout the year. In addition to the Chaitra Navaratri in March-April, the Sharadiya Navaratri in September-October, there are two Gupt Navaratras in February and June.
The Ashadha Navratri is also meant for invoking Goddess Durga and worshipping her nine forms for nine days. It is believed that Chaitra and Shardiya Navaratri are for worshiping whereas Gupt Navratri is for Tantra practice. The great seekers and tantric try to please the Goddess by performing Yajna rituals.
During Navaratri, devotees avoid the consumption of rice, wheat and lentils, instead they consume fruit and milk. Most of the devotees observe a nine day long fast to pay respect to the mystic power.
