Navratri is a very sacred festival celebrated in India. The Navratri festival that occurs twice a year brings immense blessings to Goddess Durga. Devotees who worship Navratri should take special care of cleanliness for nine days. Onion and garlic should not be used at home. One should neither eat nor cook non-vegetarian food. If possible, the fasting food and offerings to Maa Durga should be prepared at home and with one’s own hands. Although every devotee worships Maa Durga to the best of his ability, it is believed that nine forms of Maa Durga are worshiped during Navratri. Different offerings should be made according to their form, by doing this the devotee gets double the results of the fast.
Mother Shailputri is worshiped on the first day of Navratri. Worshiping Mata Shailputri brings blessings of good health and happy life. Whereas unmarried girls get the life partner of their choice. So to get the blessings of Maa Shailputri, offer her white sweets made from milk and ghee. To remain disease free, offer white sweets made from cow’s ghee to Maa Shailputri.
Mother Brahmacharini is worshiped on the second day of Navratri. Mother Brahmacharini, the second form of Mother Durga, is worshipped. For long life, offer sugar candy, sugar and Panchamrit to Mother Brahmacharini. It is said that by doing this the risk of untimely death is averted. Mother Brahmacharini also grants the blessing of long life.
Chandraghanta form of Goddess Durga is worshiped on the third day of Navratri. By offering things made of milk or dry fruits to Maa Chandraghanta, the devotees get relief from all the sorrows and troubles. Devotees who are pleased with Maa Chandraghanta do not lack anything. To get relief from sorrow, offer milk and things made from it to Maa Chandraghanta.
There is a tradition of worshiping Mother Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri. On this day, definitely offer Malpua to Mata Rani. By offering Malpua, Mother Kushmanda blesses with wisdom, strength and progress. To increase sharp intelligence and decision making ability, offer Malpua to Mother Kushmanda.
On the fifth day of Navratri, worship Goddess Skandamata and offer banana to her. By worshiping Skandmata one attains all happiness. Mother Skandamata is worshiped for a healthy body.
By worshiping Mother Katyayani on the sixth day of Navratri, a person does not have any kind of fear or dread. Offer honey or sweet betel leaf to Mother Katyayani. By doing this, Mata Rani will fulfill all your wishes. To get attractive personality and beauty, worship Mother Katyayani.
Mother Kalratri is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratri. Offering jaggery on Maa Kalratri is fruitful. By offering jaggery to Mata Kalratri, sweetness remains in the family and negative powers do not enter the house. To avoid grief and troubles, offer Jaggery as naivedya during the worship of Maa Kalratri.
Ashtami Puja has special significance during Navratri. On this day people also perform Kanya Puja. Mother Gauri is worshiped on the eighth day of Navratri. Coconut and kheer should be offered to Goddess Gauri. By doing this, Maa Gauri will fulfill all your unfulfilled wishes. To get rid of child related problems, offer coconut to Maa Mahagauri.
Navami puja also has special significance during Navratri. Mother Siddhidatri is worshiped on Navami day. On this day, offer gram and halwa to Maa Siddhidatri. Girls are also served food on Navami day. For happiness and prosperity, offer halwa, chana-puri, kheer etc. to Maa Siddhidatri.