Daily Times

MIRPURKHAS: Cheti Chand, an important festival celebrated as New Year’s Day by the Sindhi people, in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis worshiped by Sindhi Hindus and Muslims alike, was celebrated on Tuesday.

While, Sindhi Hindus from Mirpurkhas Tharparkar and Hyderabad districts celebrated the annual festival of Navatri, literally means ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit, which is a celebration of the Hindu deity goddess Durga.

A traditional Hindu festival of Chaitra Navaratri that commenced from today in Lal Mandir Mirpurkhas and will end with Ram Navami on April 5. This multi-day Hindu festival is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. The significance of Navaratri festival is the victory of good over the evil and when the divine power restored Dharma. Navratri is celebrated twice in a year. The festival starts with Ghatasthapana. Here are the schedule and shubhmuhurat for Navratri festival of all nine days.

On this Occasion Lachman Das Perwani said on Chaitra Navratri, Ghatasthapana is an invocation of Goddess Shakti and to be done only in shubhmuhurat time.

Mukesh Kumar said goddess Chandraghanta is believed to drive away the spirits troubling her devotees with the sound of the moon-bell present on her forehead. The day is observed as Gangaur also known as Gauri Tritiya

Manghar Ram said Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Devotees fast during Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha. The day also marks the Sandhi Puja, which has a special significance during Navratri festival puja and the last day of Novatri Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri who is believed to provide energy and direction to planet Ketu (Uranus). She can award ultimate power and fulfill every wish of her devotee. The day also marks the birth of Lord Rama

These nine days of Chaitra Navaratri are also marked by fasting and abstinence, with observing the festivities allowed only certain kind of foods. Navratriv Irat is, thus, one of the most sacred of fasting rituals among the Hindus. Some people live only on milk, fruits and fruit juices for the entire length of fasting. The devotees abstain from consuming meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, onions, garlic, dishes made with common salt or any kind of spice. Apart from tea, coffee and milk, potato cooked with rock salt are extremely popular dishes among devotees observing partial fast. Milk products and dry fruits can also be consumed. Navratri rules also imply watching one’s temperament, actions and behavior. This is particularly aided by following a strict vegetarian diet.