Do you know how Navratri started, know who was the first to fast for 9 days?

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Different forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped for nine days of Navratri. To please Shakti Swarupa Mata Durga, devotees worship Goddess Durga for nine days of Navratri. Apart from Amba, Chandi, Kali, Chandrika, Durga, Maa Durga is also known by the name Mahishasurmardini. Along with this, Shailputri is worshiped on the first day of Navratri, Brahmacharini on the second day, Chandraghanta on the third day, Kushmanda on the fourth day, Skandamata on the fifth day, Katyayani on the sixth day, Kalratri on the seventh day, Mahagauri on the eighth day and Siddhidatri on the ninth day. The tradition of worshiping Mother Goddess during Navratri is centuries old. But, do you know who was the first to fast for 9 days during Navratri. How did Navratri start and who first observed the fast of Navratri?

How did Navratri start?

Mother Durga herself is Shakti Swarupa. During Navratri, devotees worship Goddess Durga with wishes for spiritual strength, happiness and prosperity. According to mythology, Mata’s Navratri was started from Lord Shri Ram in Tretayuga. Before fighting with Ravana, Shri Ram had wished for spiritual strength and victory from his mother. It is told in Valmiki Ramayana that Lord Shri Ram worshiped Goddess Durga before climbing Mount Rishyamuk near Kishkindha. According to the scriptures, Lord Brahma, the incarnation of Vishnu, had given the suggestion of worshiping the Mother Goddess for nine days to Lord Shri Ram.

Lord Shri Ram got mother’s blessings

Along with Chandi recitation, Bahama ji also told Ram ji that the puja will be successful only if 108 blue lotuses are also offered after Chandi puja and havan. These blue lotuses are considered very rare. Lord Shri Ram succeeded in collecting these 108 blue lotuses with the help of his army, but when Ravana came to know about this, he made one blue lotus disappear with his magical power. At the end of Chandi Puja, when Lord Ram offered lotus flowers, there was one lotus less. Seeing this Lord Shri Ram became worried.

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When Lord Shri Ram decided to offer his eyes to Mother Goddess

Then Lord Shri Ram decided to offer one of his eyes to the Mother Goddess instead of the lotus. As soon as he raised the arrow to offer his eyes, Mother Chandi appeared. Mother Chandi was pleased with his devotion and blessed him for victory. From Pratipada to Navami, Shri Ram did not even take food and water to please Goddess Chandi. After worshiping Chandi Devi, the form of Goddess Durga, for nine days, Lord Rama gained victory over Ravana. From then onwards Navratri started, and Lord Ram was the first king and the first person to observe fast for 9 days of Navratri.

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