Chaitra Navratri - Celebration During Which Nine Forms of the Goddess Durga are Worshipped

Chaitra Navratri 2022 is on April 02 Saturday

The word ‘Navratri’ comes from ‘Nav’ meaning ‘nine’ and ‘Ratri’ meaning ‘night’ in Sanskrit and, therefore, ‘Navratri’ means ‘nine nights’ of celebration, during which nine forms of the Goddess Durga are worshipped. Navaratri is celebrated primarily twice a year, once during the onset of summer (Chaitra Navratri) and the other during the onset of winter (Sharadiya Navratri).

Chaitra Navratri is nine days festivity that starts on the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar and falls in March or April. Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and because of it, this Navratri is known as Chaitra Navratri. Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasanta Navratri. Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity. Hence Chaitra Navratri is also known as Rama Navratri.

All nine days during Navratri are dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Shakti. Most customs and rituals followed during Shardiya Navratri, which falls in September or October, are also followed during Chaitra Navratri. Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi for Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri is same.

Chaitra Navratri is more popular in northern India. In Maharashtra Chaitra Navratri begins with Gudi Padwa and in Andhra Pradesh, it begins with Ugadi.

The legend associated with Chaitra Navratri

Navratri is a mixed blend of various cultures and shares a common meaning, i.e. the victory of good over evil. In Chaitra Navratri, Demon Mahishasura, who had defeated all the gods and the devas, was ultimately killed by Goddess Durga. After the Gods were defeated, they approached Brahma (Hindu creator god), Vishnu (preserver god), and Mahesh (the destroyer), whose collective energy gave rise to the supreme deity, Goddess Durga.

In Chaitra Navratri, the 9th day is celebrated as Ram Navami (Spring Hindu festival), the day Lord Rama was born. In the Sharad Navratri, the 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dusshera, the day Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana.

Rituals during Chaitra Navratri

Praying and fasting mark the Chaitra Navratri celebrations. Before starting the celebrations, people clean their houses to welcome the Goddess in their homes. The devotees performing the puja observe a fast for all nine days. While fasting only ‘satvik’ food like potatoes, ‘kuttu ka aata’, curd and fruits are allowed. Consumption of non-vegetarian food and also the use of onion and garlic are strictly avoided. During the Navratri period, while maintaining strict discipline in food, one is also expected to monitor his behavior. The devotees spend their days worshipping the Goddess and chanting the Navratri mantras. The fast is broken on the ninth day after the ‘havan’ and the Prasad, after offering to the Goddess, is eaten along with other members of the family.

As during the Navratri time, Goddess Shakti manifests herself in three forms, namely, Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, the puja rituals of Navratri are also categorized in a set of three days, with each set dedicated to a particular Goddess. The first three days of Chaitra Navratri are dedicated to Maa Durga, the Goddess of energy, on the next three days, Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, is worshipped and the last three days are devoted to Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. The puja rituals of each of the nine days of Chaitra Navratri are as follows:

• Day 1 – Pratipada (2^nd April) – on this day the rituals performed are ‘Ghatasthapana’, ‘Chandra Darshan’, and ‘Shailputri Puja.
• Day 2 – Dwitiya (3^rd April) – the rituals of the day are ‘Sindhara Dooj’ and ‘Brahmacharini Puja’.
• Day 3 – Teej (4^th April) – This day is celebrated as ‘Gauri Teej’ or ‘Sauhagya Teej’ and the main ritual of the day is ‘Chandraghanta Puja’.
• Day 4 – Chaturthi (5^th April) – Also known as ‘Varad Vinayaka Chauth’, on this day the devotees observe the ‘Kushmanda Puja’.
• Day 5 – Panchami (6^th April) – This day is also referred to as ‘Lakshmi Panchami’ and the main puja observed on this day are ‘Naag Puja’ and ‘Skandamata Puja’.
• Day 6 – Shashthi (7^th April) – It is known as ‘Yamuna Chath’ or ‘Skanda Sasthi’ and puja observed is ‘Katyayani Puja’.
• Day 7 – Saptami (8^th April) – This day is celebrated as ‘Maha Saptami’ and the ‘Kalratri Puja’ is performed to invoke the blessings of the Goddess.
• Day 8 – Ashtami (9^th April) – It is the main day of ‘Durga Ashtami’ and is also called ‘Annapurna Ashtami’. On this day ‘Mahagauri Puja’ and ‘Sandhi Puja’ are performed.
• Day 9 – Navami (10^th April) – The last day of the Navratri festivity is observed as ‘Rama Navami’ and on this day the ‘Siddhidatri Maha Puja’ is performed.

Even though Chaitra Navratri is a 9-day festival, the celebrations come to an end on the day of ‘Dashami’ (10th day). This day is known as ‘Navratri Parana’.

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is the most significant festival of Hindus. During this time, devotees worship Goddess Shakti, the Goddess of cosmic powers, to be blessed by Her divine benediction. It is believed that if devotees worship Goddess Shakti without any desires to be fulfilled, they will attain salvation. Chaitra Navratri also marks the onset of the summer season and is observed when Mother Nature undergoes a major climatic change. It is a popular belief that by observing a vrat (fast) during the Chaitra Navratri the body is prepared for the ensuing summer season.