Since Maa Devi is worshipped, the area of the puja sthal (place of worship) must be prepared according to vaastu. This pleases Goddess Durga.
During Navaratri, swastikas are drawn on the main door with turmeric mixed with lime (Chuna). It is a custom to hang Ashoka leaves on a thread over the main door/entrance. This keeps off negative energy from entering the house.
The direction towards which the Idol of Maa Durga is kept is very important. The statue along with the proverbial Kalash or earthen pot should be placed at the northeast. The northeast is considered the abode of the gods.
To install the idol of Maa Durga , a wooden platform (Chauki) made of Chandan or sandalwood is used, along with a Kalash etc,. This purifies the puja area and removes any Vaastu defects.
The devotees must face east while offering puja to the Goddess. The east is the direction of the sun god and it is considered as the source of energy. It is very auspicious to light ghee lamps facing the east.
In general, the colour red is preferred during the Navratri and red flowers are offered to please goddess Durga. Red clothes, Chandan, red sarees and bangles etc are also offered. There are different colours for each day of Navratri. For these remaining days of Navratri, i.e. on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th October, the recommended colours are Orange, Peacock Green and Pink.
Vaastu Remedies for Navratri 2022: It is strongly believed by the Hindus that by keeping fasts and worshipping Shakti rupena(symbol of power) Durga Mata, fear, enemies, ailments, Vaastu defects and obstacles can be easily overcome. The chanting of mantras during navratri can dispel negative energies and remove Vaastu defects. It is also very auspicious to install the Durga Beej Yantra during this period. There is a special significance of worshipping young girls (Kumari) during Navratri. It is believed that Goddess Durga resides in young girls. So by worshipping and feeding them, we can negate Vaastu defects in the house. Needless to say that, the house should be cleaned well ahead of and during the nine days.
The Akhand Jyoti must be lit at the southeast. The Akhand Jyoti is an oil lamp and it is a symbol of knowledge, purity, good luck, prosperity and the absence of darkness or ignorance. It is lit continuously for the nine days. Once it is lit, the lamp should be refilled from time to time with Ghee or oil so that it is not extinguished.
The Akhand Jyoti should be lit in Brass (Peetal) or earthen vessels. There should not be any crack in the vessel. The lamp should NOT be kept on the ground. If no Chauki or platform is available, a banana leaf or similar leaf should be used to place the lamp. Pure cow ghee should be used for the Akhand Jyoti. If mustard or Til (sesame) oil is used, the same should be kept on the left side of the Idol.
After nine days, the lamp should be allowed to go off on its own. It SHOULD NOT be extinguished externally.
Navratri Akhand Jyoti benefits-
It brings peace and harmony to the family. The Akhand Jyoti destroys negative energy in the house. After the Akhand Jyoti is over, the left- over oil can be massaged in the body to get rid of skin and other ailments.
It is believed that wishes can come true by wishing on the Akhand Jyoti.
The Akhand Jyoti has the power to remove bad effects of Saturn or Shani.
The Navratri Akhand Jyoti Mantra (transcribed from the original Sanskrit verses);
Om jayanti mangala kaali bhadrakaali kripalini
Durga shama shiva dhaatri swaha swadha namostute ||
Dipjyoteeh: parbrahmah: Dipjyoti Janardanah: dipoharteeme papam sandhyadeepam namostute|
Shubham karotu kalyanamarogyam sukh sampada, shatruvridhi vinashang cha dipjyotih namostuthi|
It is often seen in many homes that people wash their hands on the plate after eating. According to religious beliefs, it is considered inauspicious. This brings poverty to the house.
Hands should never be washed on the plate from which food has been consumed. By washing hands on that plate, the remaining food in it is disrespected. Maa Lakshmi and Annapurna are annoyed when hands are washed on the food plate.
It is believed that the material offered in the yajna is received by the deities in the form of food. That is why food is considered to be of great importance. Apart from this, insulting food is also considered a sin in many Puranas. So wastage of food angers Ma Lakshmi & Annapurna.
Keep these things in mind while eating
Always keep the plate of food on the mat, table or square with respect. Apart from this, the plate of food should never be held with one hand.. At the same time, leaving the leftovers in the plate is also considered inauspicious.
It is said in the scriptures to meditate on God before meals. It is said that while eating food, anger, conversation or strange sounds should not be made.It leads to indigestion. Once should not watch the TV or read books/newspapers while eating. Now kids and even many adults have this bad habit of being busy on the computer or mobile while eating meals. This should be avoided.
Importance of the Peony flower
As per Vastu it is very auspicious to place a painting of the Peony flower in the corner of the South –West direction of the drawing room.
This plant represents the divine feminine or Shakti. To develop happy and prosperity of the house peony plant should be planted in the garden of the house to the right of main door.
There are different types of Peony flowers.
Yellow peony flowers bring sweetness in relationship.
Pink peony attracts love and new relationships. For unmarried persons seeking to get married should keep pink colored peony flowers in their living room.
Red peony has a high potency or inducing passion. It is not recommended to keep red peony or paintings of red peony in an older couple's bedroom.
White peonies are used to offer apology in western countries.
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