This year, the *Gupt Navratri* (Secret Navratri) of the *Ashadh* month will commence on July 15 and continue until July 23, 2026. During this special nine-day festival, the nine forms of Goddess Bhagwati are worshipped with prescribed rituals. According to religious beliefs, the significance of the *Ashadh* *Gupt Navratri* is considered equal to that of the *Chaitra* and *Sharadiya* (autumnal) *Navratris*. Astrologers describe these nine days as a period for secret spiritual practices (*sadhana*) and the attainment of special spiritual powers (*siddhis*).

It is believed that while great sages, seers, and Vedic Brahmins perform public rituals during the *Chaitra* and *Sharadiya* *Navratris*, they engage in the secret worship and *sadhana* of the Goddess during *Gupt Navratri*.

Ritual specialist and astrologer Pandit Manish Upadhyay explains that *Gupt Navratri* is no less potent than the other *Navratris*. The same divine powers of Goddess Bhagwati are active during this period as are acknowledged during the *Chaitra* and *Sharadiya* *Navratris*. Consequently, by worshipping with devotion and adherence to prescribed rules during these nine days, a devotee can accomplish many significant tasks.

According to the astrologer, young men and women facing persistent delays or obstacles in their marriage can seek the grace of Goddess Bhagwati by performing the remedies prescribed for *Gupt Navratri*. Specific mantras have been suggested for unmarried women and men respectively.

Pandit Manish Upadhyay advises that women who are unable to get married, or whose marriage alliances repeatedly break down for various reasons, should sit on a clean woolen mat facing the north during *Gupt Navratri*. They should light a *ghee* lamp, meditate upon Goddess Katyayani, and chant the following mantra with devotion. It is believed that regular chanting leads to finding a suitable groom quickly. One should make it a point to chant this mantra on the *Ashtami* (eighth) and *Navami* (ninth) days.

"Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishwari |
Nandagopasutam Devi, Pati Me Kuru Te Namah ||" 
Astrologer Upadhyay advises unmarried young men facing obstacles or delays in their marriage to chant this mantra 108 times on the Ashtami and Navami tithis (eighth and ninth days) of Gupt Navratri. It is a religious belief that chanting this mantra with devotion and faith removes marriage-related hurdles and paves the way for finding a suitable bride.

PC Social Media