Chaitra Navratri - Navratri is a mixed blend of various cultures and shares a common meaning, i.e. the victory of good over evil
Chaitra Navratri 2024 starts on April 09 Tuesday
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 a nine-day 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 the Navratri festivity. Hence Chaitra Navratri is also known as Rama Navratri.
All nine days during Navratri are dedicated to the 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 the 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.
According to astrology, this time some special yoga is being created on Chaitra Ram Navami. In such a situation, Chaitra Ram Navami is very auspicious for the natives of certain zodiac signs. People of these zodiac signs will be blessed by Mother Jagat Janani Jagdamba. There will be a rain of money. At the same time, Ayodhya's astrologer Pandit Kalki Ram says that this time many auspicious yogas are being made in Chaitra Ram Navami. Due to this, the infinite grace of Maa Jagdamba will remain on the people of many zodiac signs.
Goddess Durga will come riding on a horse on Chaitra Navratri.
This time on Chaitra Navratri, Maa Durga will come riding on a horse. Due to Chaitra Navratri starting on Tuesday, the mother's vehicle will be a horse. The vehicle of the mother is decided from the beginning of Navratri. Goddess worship and fasting for nine days have great importance on Navratri. There are some rules for those who keep fast during the nine days of Navratri. Also, during these nine days, the blessings of Mother Durga can be obtained by offering their favorite offerings to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
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 (the Hindu creator god), Vishnu (the 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 atta’, 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 Prasad, after offering to the Goddess, is eaten along with other members of the family.
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 into 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 (9th April) – Along with the establishment of the Kalash, Maa Shailputri is worshiped on the first day and it is believed that Maa Shailputri is the daughter of Himalaya, that is why she loves the white color very much.
Day 2 – Dwitiya (10th April) – The second day is the day of Mata Brahmacharini and by worshiping Mata Brahmacharini, renunciation, morality, and restraint start increasing in the personality.
Day 3 – Teej (11th April) – On the third day, Mata Chandraghanta is worshiped and it is said that by worshiping Mata Chandraghanta, humans get freedom from worldly troubles.
Day 4 – Chaturthi (12th April) – On the fourth day of Navratri, Goddess Kushmanda is worshiped and Malpua is offered to the Goddess.
Day 5 – Panchami (13th April) – On the fifth day, Mother Skandamata, the fifth form of Goddess Durga, is worshiped and a banana is offered to the mother.
Day 6 – Shashthi (14th April) – On the sixth day of Navratri, the sixth form of Goddess Katyayani is worshipped.
Day 7 – Saptami (15th April) – On the seventh day of Navratri, Mata Kalratri is worshiped and Mata Kalratri is the destroyer of enemies.
Day 8 – Ashtami (16th April) There is a tradition of worshiping Goddess Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri. By worshiping Mahagauri, all the troubles of a person go away and happiness and prosperity start coming into the house. Ninth day- The ninth day of Navratri is of Mata Siddhidatri. It is believed that on this day all the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled.
Day 9 – Ram Navami (17th 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.
Ram Navami
Ram Navami is the day etched out in the Hindu calendar as the auspicious occasion that consecrates the birth of Lord Ram, Lord Vishnu's seventh human incarnation on earth. Born to King Dasarath and his wife Kaushalya on the 'navami' or the 'ninth day' of Chaitra month, Ram Navami is celebrated in the spirit of a festival in March/April. According to Hindu belief, Lord Rama came on earth invested with the divine qualities of Lord Vishnu, associated with purity of soul, beneficence, and humility. From the mythological perspective, Lord Rama is seen as eternally blissful and in his earthly form came to exemplify the perfect man, referred to as 'Maryada Purushottam'. It is this aspect that is recalled during the Ram Navami festival. Lord Rama's dutifulness, integrity, and magnanimity are detailed through the various episodes of the epic 'Ramayana'.
Why is Ram Navami Celebrated?
Ram Navami is one of the most significant days observed by the Hindus, especially the followers of Vishnu. In 2024, Sri Ram Navami falls on the 17th of April. Ram Navami is celebrated with elaborate preparation and fervor.
Ramayana is a very instructive tale and Lord Rama along with brother Lakshman, his wife Sita, and devotee Hanuman represent various divine aspects in their earthly journey of life. The situations in their life have echoes in today's life as well where man is accosted by unforeseen events that test his ego and moral sense of duty and humaneness. Thus, recitations and discourses from the Ramayana help us to take cues from Lord Rama's demonstration of integrity and courage to triumph over evil motives and selfish desires. Thus, the Ram Navami festival is for all those who want to imbibe these qualities in thought and action. It is with this spirit that Ram Navami is celebrated in all parts of the country, with instances of full nine-day celebration and fasting rituals to seek Lord Rama's grace throughout the crest and troughs of life.
The rituals in the observance of Ram Navami include recitations from 'Ramayana' or Tulsidas's 'Ramacharitmanas', long renditions of bhajans and kirtans, and awe-inspiring puja and arti. The bhajans are very uplifting as they eulogize the virtues of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. Hanuman is known for his devotion to Rama, and a lot of devotees recite 'Sunderkand' which strengthens qualities of courage and dedication.
In Rishikesh, which is an important seat of Ram worship, special payers dedicated to Lord Rama, japas, and constant chantings invoking Lord Rama's name are common practices. Mantras like 'Om Sri Ram', and 'Jai Sri Ram' raise the higher energies around the place. One can opt to fast from sunrise till sunset on Ram Navami Day itself. On the final day of the Ram Navami festival, Lord Rama is adorned beautifully as well as temples are bedecked majestically with lights. Devotees listen to discourses that are supplemented by ample leaflets, booklets, and books on Lord Rama's life and teachings.
Ram Navami celebrations
Ayodhya, Lord Rama's holy birthplace witnesses a huge congregation of devotees who come to take a holy dip in river Saryu on the pious occasion of Ram Navami. People pray wholeheartedly to earn Lord Rama's blessings. A most awaited event in Ayodhya is the two-day fair that includes 'rath yatras', a ceremonial procession that involves carrying the deities of Ram, brother Lakshman, wife Sita, and Mahavir Hanuman in chariots.
The gaudiest aspect of the Ram Navami celebration is the Ram Navami procession. Donning a pageantry look, four persons attired suitably pose as Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman and do the rounds of the city in a 'rath' - a ritual that devotees look forward to every year.
In South India, the Ram Navami festival carries on for nine days consisting of several elements of ceremony and rituals. Since the day coincides with the wedding of Rama and Sita, the mood on this day is extremely jubilant. The programs of kirtans, chantings, and recitals lend a greatly inspiring and instructive tone to the Ram Navami celebration. In Andhra Pradesh, temples re-enact the marriage of Lord Rama and Sita on the final day of Ram Navami.
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