*Gupt Navratri* falls in the month of Magha every year. This year the auspicious festival is going to be observed from February 12 to February 21.
This festival is mainly, observed by Tantriks and Sadhus to please Goddess Durga and seek her blessings, so that they can, perform tantras. They worship goddess Durga for 10 days. As per Hindu Puranas, it's believed that one should observe this festival in secrecy to achieve a fruitful result.
Goddess Durga is also called shakti, so in Gupt Navratri all the different forms of the goddess are worshipped. Performing the shakti puja of the goddess, relieves the worshipper from all the problems and gives the blessing of victory. Gupt Navratri also comes twice just like normal Navratri, first in Ashada month and then in Magh month.
During these Navaratri, the devotee worships to enhance the power of sadhana and tantras. People who believe in sadhna and tantra performs this pooja. The process of puja these days is the same as the normal Navratri. Like in Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri, 9 forms of the goddess are worshipped, similarly in this Navratri 10 forms of the goddess are worshipped.
*Why does Gupt Navratri occur?*
It is very difficult to worship the goddess in Gupt Navratri and the puja of the Goddess is also done secretly, that is why these are called Gupt Navratri. Akhand Jyoti is ignited in this puja. Goddess is worshipped both during day and evening time. The people who perform secret sadhana worships the 10 forms of the goddess during this time. Durga saptashati path is recited for 9 days. On the day of Ashtami or Navami, the fast is considered complete only after worshipping young girls.
Gupt Navratri and Tantra sadhna,
Pujan of 10 Maha Vidyas is given importance in Gupt Navratri.
According to Bhagwat, there are 10 Mah Vvidyas which originates from the aggressive and subtle forms of goddess Mahakali. These Maha Vidyas of Lord Shiva provide accomplishment. 10 Maha Vidyas are considered as the 10 forms of goddess Durga. Every Maha Vidya is capable of solving all the problems of her worshipper, by taking different forms. These 10 Maha Vidyas are considered useful and important in tantra sadhana.
*Devi Kali*- This is considered as one of the mahavidyas. Tantriks worship the Devi Kali form in tantra sadhana.
*Devi Tara*- Worshipping goddess Tara is considered as authoritarian for the tantriks.
Maa Tara is pararupa, maha-sundari and artistic and she writes the laws of liberation for everyone.
*Maa Lalita*- By worshipping Maa Lalita, the worshipper receives salvation. According to the south-west rulers, the Goddess Lalita is given the place of Chandi.
*Maa Bhuvneshwari*- Maa Bhuvneshwari is considered as the owner of the creation of the world. She depicts extreme power. Her mantras are considered to give special power out of all the deities.
*Tripur Bhairavi*- Maa Tripur Bhairavi is considered to be full of tapogun and rajogun.
*Mata Chinnamastika*- Maa Chinnamastika is also called as mata Chintapoorni. She relieves the worshipper of all his problems.
*Maa Dhoomavati*- By worshipping maa Dhoomavati the person gets desirous results. The structure of maa Dhoomavati is very scary, which she has adopted to destroy the enemies.
*Maa Baglamukhi*- Maa Baglamukhi is considered as the owner of suppression. By worshipping her all the enemies are destroyed and devotee becomes free from all kinds of obstacles.
*Devi Matangi*- Devi Matangi is considered as the owner of voice and sound. She has the power of the entire universe. She gives the desired results to her devotees.
*Mata Kamla*- Maa Kamla is considered as the symbol of happiness. She is considered as the Goddess of wealth. Those who want material pleasures should consider worshipping mata Kamla.
*Importance of Gupta Navratri*
Gupt Navratri holds special importance in Hindu mythology, as during this festival we worship 10 avatars of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu belief, once a woman came to Shringi Rishi and narrated her ordeal. She told the sage that her husband has bad habits because of which she is unable to observe any fasts or worship gods. So, to gain the blessing of Goddess Durga to overcome her problems saint asked her to mediate during the Gupt Navratri.
*How to perform the puja*
Those who are going to observe this festival keep these fasting rules in mind during Gupt Navaratri.
- Respect women
- Don't consume alcohol, onion, garlic, and non-veg
- Don't fight with your family, otherwise, your puja will not be fruitful.
- Don't wear black clothes and leather shoes or belts.
- Don't shave or cut your hair for nine days
- Sleep on the floor
