Worship of Mother Durga is a special characteristic of the Sanatan Hindu Culture and thus Navaratri is mainly celebrated at least twice a year, once in Spring/Summar timeframe known as Chaitra Navaratri and then once during the beginning of Winter known as Sharadiya Navaratri. Navaratri or Navadurga Parva happens to be the most auspicious and unique period of devotional sadhanas and worship of Shakti (the sublime, ultimate, absolute creative energy of the Divine conceptualized as the Mother Goddess–Durga, whose worship dates back to prehistoric times before the dawn of Vedic age.

A whole chapter in the tenth Mandal of the Rigveda deals with the devotional sadhanas of Shakti. A hymn here describes:

I (Shakti) am the Omnipresent Power. I am the ultimate savior, who stretches and empowers the arc of Rudra to ruin the demonic evils. I alone generate the valor and move the forces in the battlefronts. I am the Mother (Genesis) and the sole Protector of the whole creation. I am in every living being (as the source of life-force). I am the paramount divine power, which knows its unity with the Para Brahm; I am the absolute reality.

One of the Puranas- the “Devi Bhagavat”- is exclusively devoted to the Divine exploits of Bhagavati Durga.

The “Markandey Purana” describes the manifestations of the Supreme Shakti as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Mahakali destroys the forces of evil, crushes ego, and eliminates ignorance. Mahasaraswati is the deity of discerning intellect, pure knowledge, and creative talents. Mahalakshmi is the Goddess of beauty, harmony, prosperity, and progress.

The hymns describing the magnificence of the great manifestations of Shakti and the 700 mantras of her sadhanas are compiled as “Durga Saptashati” in this Purana.

The Skanda Purana describes the epic incarnation of Goddess Durga. The Brahm Purana and Brahmvaivarta Purana also narrate the divine descent of the powers of the supreme Shakti. Lord Brahma is cited in the Markandey Purana as mentioning to Rishi Markandey that the first incarnation of Shakti was as Shailputri. Other incarnations of the Divine Mother are: Brahmcharñi, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri in that order. These nine manifestations of Shakti, are worshipped as “Nava-Durga”.

Significance of Akhanad Jyoti or Akahand Deepam During Navaratri

Although lighting of Akhanad Jyoti is mandatory for those who are taking Sankalpa (or Sankalpam) for 9-day Anushthaan for any Saadhna during the days of Navaratri, one can also light an Akhand Diya and keep it lit during those nine days even if one is not performing any special Anushthaan.

A lot of people do Akhand Jyoti for getting blessings of Bhagavati Durga during Navaratri while they do just a normal morning/evening Puja. This is perfectly alright and every Hindu should be at least doing that much during the days of Navaratri because of the special benefits and blessings one gets by just doing Akhand Jyoti deep daan during Navaratri.

How to lit Akhand Jyoti or Akhanad Deep?

The process is very simple. Just as you do daily Puja take shower, do your normal Puja first (Do panchopachaar puja as you do every day). And then, take the Diya you’ve selected for the Akhand Deep (a larger size Diya is good for this purpose since it can hold more Ghee and therefore you won’t need to refill very often since the Diya is supposed to be continuously burn for 9 days).

Important point to remember about the Akhand Deep is that it must be a Ghee Deepak only. You should not use any kind of oil for this purpose as the mantra itself has the name of the material ‘Ghee’ in it as you will recite it while lighting the Akhand Diya given below.

Second important thing is that you will need to place this Akhanad Diya/Deepak to the right side of the Devi’s statue/picture or Shree Yantra (which means to the left of the Saadhaka who is sitting in front of the temple).

Now that you’re ready, here is the mantra you will recite while lighting the Akhand Deepak in front of Devi Durga:

अखण्डदीपकं देव्याः प्रीतये नवरात्रकं | 

उज्ज्वालये अहोरात्रं एकचित्तो घृतव्रतः || 

Meaning: Akhand Deep brings joy to Devi during the special period of Navaratri. Therefore, with full devotion and focus, install an Akhanad Jyoti of Ghee.

As you can see, the mantra itself mentions that the Jyoti is of Ghee, one must ensure that Ghee made up of Desi Cow’s milk, prepared with Vedic method is used for this purpose. This way, Devi is pleased the most.

When To Lit Sasame Seed Oil or Mustard Oil Diya in Navaratri?

The right side of your home temple must have the Ghee based Akhand Deepak/Diya during the Navaratri as discussed above. But, if you are taking a Sankalpa for any Anushthaan with the intention to attract Lakshmi, it is recommended that you prepare another Diya, fill it with Sesme Seed Oil and lit it using any Lakshmi mantra (such as ‘Shreem’ beej mantra) and place it on your right side (and Devi’s left side) in the same temple. You can make this diya also as an Akhand Diya for the entire period of Navaratri.

If you are troubled by enemies or you fear that you might be affected by negative energy due to some black magic or Tantric Kriya by someone wishing a harm, it is recommended that you prepare a Diya filled with Mustard Oil and lit it while chanting any Durga or Kali mantra (e.g. ‘Kleem’ beej mantra or ‘Om Hreem Durgaya Namah’). Then place this Diya it to your right side (Devi’s left side). You can make this diya also as an Akhand Diya for the entire period of Navaratri.