Second Day of Navratri – Maa Brahmacharini Puja and Chandra Darshan

The nine colorful Navratri nights are celebrated as nine different forms of Maa Durga. This day marks the triumph of good over evil. On day 2, people observe fast for a second day, wear Indian traditional dresses, and together enjoy the Gujarati folk dance (Garba). The second day is dedicated to the Hindi deity, Maa Brahmacharini. The devotees organize a Brahmacharini puja and Yagna in order to get blessings from the Goddess. This Navratri 2024 perform Maa Brahmacharini Puja with her powerful Mantras to get bestowed with the choicest of blessings! The Hindu mythological story focuses on the importance of worshipping the Goddess Brahmacharini.

Story (Katha) of Devi Brahmacharini

Daksha Prajapati, a devotee of Lord Shiva was blessed with a  girl child  whom he  named ‘Parvati’. A young Parvati came to be known as  Brahmacharini after a strict penance of  thousand-years. Brahmacharini expressed her desire to marry Lord Shiva by severe penance. She continued fasting for years by surviving on fruits and leaves. After continuing with  severe austerities and walking miles barfoot  without any food or water, Parvati came to be known as ‘Aparna’.

The idol of Maa Brahmacharini depicts an unmarried girl holding a rosary in her left hand and sacred Kamandal in the right. Furthermore, it is believed Maa Brahmacharini walks barefoot and is known for severe austerities. Devotees offer fresh Jasmine flowers as it is said to appease Goddess Brahmacharini. They organize sixteen different types of puja to impress Maa Brahmacharini.

Did you Know about Chandra Darshan ?

Date and Auspicious Timings for Navratri 2nd Day Rituals

Importance of Worshipping Maa Brahmacharini

Maa Brahmacharini is said to bestow peace, love, wisdom and knowledge. People worship her to obtain a peaceful life. In the stellar system, Maa Brahmacharini governs the planet Mars (Mangal), which further helps to overcome its bad effects. The Brahmacharini Puja is also performed to nullify the malefic effects of Mangal Dosha in a horoscope. With Maa Brahmacharini’s grace, the position of Mars can be positively influenced. Moreover, offering prayers to Maa Brahmacharini satisfies the soul and leads one to the path of success.

Puja Samagri:

• An idol of Maa Brahmacharini
• Glass of milk
• Curds
• Melted butter
• Sugar
• Fruits
• Jasmine flowers
• Durva grass
• Supari and Lavinga
• A piece of cloth

Puja Rituals and Mantra

The following are the puja rituals followed on the second day of Navratri, which is devoted to Goddess Brahmacharini .

• Devotees wake up early and wear tidy clothes for puja
• They  immerse the idol of Brahmacharini in  honey and milk
• Vermillion is applied on the idol’s forehead
• Devotees place prasad consisting of fresh fruit before the idol of the Goddess.
• They seek special favours and blessings for prosperity and abundance in life.

Brahmacharini Mantras

Brahmacharini puja is incomplete without the Brahmacharini mantras. Below is the mantra to evoke Goddess Brahmacharini on the second day of Navratri.

ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥

Dwitiya Navratri Greetings