Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 2: Know About Puja Rituals, Shubh Muhurat, And Significance Of Maa Brahmacharini

The highly anticipated festival of the year has arrived once again. Each year, Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with great zeal and splendour throughout the country. Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to honouring the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. These divine forms include Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. This year, Chaitra Navratri commenced on April 9, 2024, and will continue until April 17, 2024.

Who is Maa Brahmacharini?

As per Astrotalk, Maa Brahmacharini is the second form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the second day of Chaitra Navratri. Maa Brahmacharini is portrayed as a graceful deity holding a rosary in her right hand and a kamandalu (water pot) in her left. Her name, ‘Brahmacharini,’ originates from ‘Brahma,’ signifying ‘tapasya’ or ‘meditation,’ and ‘charini,’ representing ‘the practitioner.’ Hence, Maa Brahmacharini embodies the essence of meditation and spiritual discipline.

She is also known as Tapasyacharini, Rudrani, Aparna, Uma, and Girija. In Hindu mythology, Maa Brahmacharini's origin traces back to Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya. She later became the consort of Lord Shiva after their marriage.

Devotion to Maa Brahmacharini is believed to bestow virtues such as penance, renunciation, detachment, heightened moral conduct, and naturally, enhanced self-restraint. Moreover, it is believed that through prayers to the Goddess, one can fulfil all their aspirations and goals.

Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 2: Date, Timing And Shubh Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, Chaitra Navratri Day 2 is on April 10, 2024. The Dwitiya Tithi commences at 5:32 PM, followed by the moonrise at 6:51 PM. The auspicious Vijaya Muhurat extends from 2:30 PM to 3:21 PM. Additionally, the Ravi Yoga spans from 3:05 AM on April 11, 2024, until 6:00 AM on the same day.

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Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 2: Puja Vidhi, Samagri And Rituals

On the second day of Chaitra Navratri, devotees pay homage to Maa Brahmacharini, adorning her with offerings of jasmine flowers, rice, and sandalwood in a ceremonial kalash. This day also marks the worship of Lord Shiva alongside the Goddess. Observing a fast, devotees seek blessings for enlightenment and prosperity. As part of the rituals, Maa Brahmacharini is anointed with abhishek, a sacred bathing ritual involving milk, curd, and honey. Additionally, a special bhog comprising sugar is prepared and offered to the deity during Navratri, according to the customs outlined in Drik Panchang.

To conduct the puja:

• Commence by cleansing oneself with a bath and donning fresh attire.
• Arrange the altar or sacred space and position the idol or image of Maa Brahmacharini upon it.
• Illuminate the oil lamp and ignite the incense sticks.
• Signal the commencement of the puja by ringing the bell.
• Purify the idol with a sprinkle of water.
• Present fresh flowers while chanting the mantra: "Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah."
• Adorn the idol or image with a tilak.
• Ignite the camphor and carry it before the idol in a clockwise direction.
• Offer fruits and sweets as prasad.
• Take a handful of water and recite the mantra: "Om Amritapushtaye Namah."
• Sprinkle this water as an offering to Maa Brahmacharini.
• Offer your prayers and beseech her blessings for wisdom and fortitude.
• Conclude the puja with the rendition of aarti, a devotional hymn, in homage to Maa Brahmacharini.

Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 2: Mantras and Stuti To Chant

Oṃ Devī Brahmacāriṇyai Namaḥ

Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam

Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailaputri Rupena Samsthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

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