Magha Navratri or Gupta Navratri or Sisira Navaratri, is a nine days festival dedicated to worship nine forms of Shakti, observed during shukla paksha of Magha masam. It is also referred as the Magha Syamala Navratri and specially dedicated to worship Sri Matangi. She is known with many names like Raja Shyamala, Raja matangi, matangi, mantrini etc. All these aspects are similar to Goddess Saraswati. In other words, these are tantric forms of Saraswati. She is also one of the Maha-vidyas of the shakta tradition as she is the mahavidya Matangi herself.

As per our sacred texts, the Supreme Goddess is worshipped and invoked in her powerful forms four times in a year; and hence, there are a total of 4 Navaratris in a year. They are:

• Sharada Navratri (Oct-Nov)
• Chaitra Navratri (Apr-May)
• Magha Navratri (Jan-Feb)
• Ashada Navratri (Jun-Jul)

Magha Navratri, less known in most places, is mainly observed in North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In south India, Magha navratri is celebrated to worship Saraswati devi or Syamala Devi and in North, shakti upasakas worship Matangi Devi.

माणिक्यवीणामुपलालयन्तीं मदालसां मञ्जुल वाग्विलासाम् ।
माहेन्द्र नीलोत्पल कोमलाङ्गीं मातङ्ग कन्यां मनसास्मरामि ॥

Magha Navratri 2022 Dates

In 2022, Magh Navratri begins on February 2 and ends on February 10, 2022.

Day 1 – February 2nd 2022 – Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja, Brahmacharini Puja
Day 2 – February 3rd 2022 – Chandraghanta Puja
Day 3 – February 4th 2022 – Kushmanda Puja
Day 4 – February 5th 2022 – Skandamata Puja
Day 5 – February 6th 2022 – Katyayani Puja
Day 6 – February 7th 2022 – Kalaratri Puja
Day 7 – February 8th 2022 – Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja
Day 8 – February 9th 2022 – Sandhi Puja
Day 9 – February 10th 2022 – Siddhidatri Puja, Navratri Parana

During the sacred Navaratrotsava of Rajamatangi, Shakti upasakas worships nine forms of Syamala devi during the nine days:

Day One – Laghu Syamala
Day Two – Vagvadini
Day Three – Nakulisvari
Day Four – Kalyanasyamala
Day Five – Jagadranjini matangi
Day Six – Vasyamatangi
Day Seven – sarika
Day Eight – sukasyamal
Day Nine – Raja Matangi

The rituals and forms of Shakti worshipped during Magh Navratri vary from region to region. Dasa Mahavidyas are invoked during the period by adept tantrics to obtain various Siddhis. Fasting is observed on certain days of Magh Navratri and strictly vegetarian food is consumed during the period.