The Magha Gupt (Winter Secret) Navratri

The words ‘Gupt Navratri’ are used for two Navratris during the year. One falls during monsoons and the second during winters. The first one is known as Ashadha Gupt Navratri and the second one is Magha Gupt Navratri. As per the Hindu calendar, Magha, or the period from February 2nd to Feb 10th this year, is the last month of winters. Post this, the season changes and shortly after the year changes. The word Gupt is used for anything that is secret or not in the public knowledge.

In this blog, we learn the dates, meaning, importance and benefits of the Magha Gupt Navratri.

Dates –

The Magha Gupt Navratri dates are February 2nd 2022 to February 10th 2022.

Meaning –

While the other two Navratris that fall in summers and beginning of winters respectively are so widely talked about, the secret ones aren’t even spoken about in public and seekers have always wondered why. The reason is that these Navratris are very sacred and are usually observed between a Guru and their students. The Devi Energy is much higher and every ritual or practice performed during this time needs to happen in a controlled environment with supervision. Think of it as lab experiment. When dealing with chemicals of great strength, it is always preferred to conduct the experiments in a controlled environment with the head scientist’s supervision. Similarly, in Gupt Navratris, your Guru Ji becomes the supervisors and mentors and the rituals are performed with their guidance and help.

The word Magha is used for this month because the full moon that is observed in this month is located near the Magha cluster of stars.

Significance of Magha Gupt Navratri

It is believed that the Devi Conciousness during the Gupt Navratri is on full peak and anything and everything the Sadhaks ask for during this time is fulfilled. Due to this reason, most Tantra practitioners and sages observe and perform multiple rituals and austerities during this time to please the Devi. It is important to know here that one needs to be careful what they wish for since it all comes true. This is also the reason a Guru’s supervision and guidance is required for the practices and rituals performed during this time.

What is most important however is for a Sadhak to ensure that they at least absorb a tiny fraction of the divine energy that awakens and revolves around the universe at this time. For it is Her who created the entire universe just with her warm smile. Imagine what tapping into that energy and harnessing it would do for us.

Benefits for the Non-Tantra Practitioners –

Till now we spoke about how Tantra Practitioners can benefit from the Gupt Navratris. But what about people like us who don’t have a Guru yet or are still looking for their Guru? Well, here’s how the Gupt Navratris benefit us. All you need to do during these Nine Days is keep your body, mind and soul pure, abstain from negativity in any form and concentrate and pray to the Divine Mother. This will help you gain strength and power, along with clearing all your blockages so that when the summer Navratris are observed, you can gain maximum benefit from it. The Divine Consciousness will flow through you like water and you will be able to observe and perform the rituals and practices like never before.

Set Your Intentions: Start Navratri by thinking about what you want to achieve spiritually during these nine days. It could be finding inner peace, seeking guidance, or just feeling more connected to your faith.

Cleanse Your Space: Give your home a good cleaning before Navratri begins. This practice is believed to invite positive energy into your surroundings and create a more harmonious atmosphere.

Fasting: During Navratri, some people choose to fast as a way of cleansing the body and mind. You can try abstaining from certain foods or even just a meal or two, depending on your comfort level.