Ashadha Gupt Navratri 2022: Date, Time, Celebrations, Mantra, Benefits and Significance
In Hindu customs, Navratri is a holy holiday celebrated with zeal twice a year. It is a nine-day festival held throughout India to honour Goddess Durga in her various manifestations. Sharada and Chaitra Navratri are well-known Navratras that are celebrated differently in different places.
The lesser-known aspect of Navratri is that the Hindu scripture describes four varieties of Navratri. Sharada Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Magha Navratri, and Ashada Navratri are the four Hindu festivals. Sharada and Chaitra Navratri are the most commonly observed, but the other two are known as Gupt Navratri or Hidden Navratri.
Gupt Navratri is observed twice a year, once in the ‘Maagh maas’ known as Magha Gupt Navratri and once in the ‘Ashada maas’ known as Ashada Gupt Navratri, according to Hindu scriptures. According to English calendars, Magha Navratri occurs between January and February, whereas Ashada Navratri occurs between June and July.
According to the Hindu calendar, Gupt Navratri of Ashadha month will start on 30 June 2022.
Ideology Behind Gupt Navratri
During Gupt Navratri, many forms of Goddess Durga known as ‘Shakti’ are secretly worshipped. The goddess is worshipped secretly, concealed from the rest of the world, according to the main idea of Gupt Navratri. Sadhus and tantriks primarily celebrate it for tantra sadhna to please the Goddess of Shakti.
During Gupt Navratri, hidden rituals are held in which the goddess is worshipped using secret sadhna to appease the 10 avatars of Goddess Durga.
It is thought that devotees can fulfil all of their wishes by worshipping the goddess during this festival, but the rituals must be kept secret because the success of the pooja is dependent on the level of secrecy involved.
The Different Formations of Devi Durga that are Worshipped During Gupt Navratri are-
- Maa Kalike
- Tara Devi
- Tripura Sundari
- Bhuvaneshwari Mata
- Chitramasta
- Tripur Bhairavi Maa
- Dhumravati Mata
- Baglamukhi Maatangi
- Kamla Devi
The mantras recited on this auspicious day tell the story of Goddess Durga’s birth, how the powers of all the Gods were manifested in her to combat the demon Mahishasura and her triumph over the world’s evil powers.
Practices During Gupt Navratri Puja
Fasts and other rituals are observed by followers of the tantra mantra sadhana during Gupt Navratri, in addition to their hidden tantric activities.
- For 9 days, Akhand Jyoti is lit.
- Kalash Sthapna
- Durga Saptashati route and Markhandev Purana are recited in front of Devi Durga.
- Fasting or Satvik Ahaar is followed throughout the Navratris.
Benefits of Gupt Navratri Vrat
Gupt Navratri, also known as Gayatri Navratri, is observed during the Hindu month of Ashada, which comes between June and July. During this 9-day observance, the major way of appeasing goddess Durga is by bewitching the powerful invocations of goddess Durga combined with tantra vidhya mantras.
Tantric vidya, or the worship of goddess Durga to achieve wealth, wisdom, and prosperity, is the most well-known method of worship during Gupt Navratri.
Gupt Navratri is also celebrated to ward off demon forces with the use of the maha mantra of “ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुंडायै विच्चे।”, which is believed to be potent in removing fear of evil from the minds of followers.
The secret prayers made to Goddess Durga during Gupt Navratri in the form of potent mantras and gupt vidya of tantra and tantric rituals are thought to assist devotees attain unique powers to accomplish all their wants and goals.
