Navratri has been a long-standing tradition for all of us with a great amount of religious value attached to it. We also know that Navratri undeniably is one the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated across the nation with great fervor and enthusiasm. However not many would know, that it is celebrated in different seasons, five times a year. They are Chaitra Navratri, Ashadha Navratri, the Sharada Navratri, and the Paush/Magha Navratri. Of these, the Sharada Navratri in the Varsha ritu (onset of autumn) and the Chaitra Navratri in the Vasanta ritu (season of spring) are very important.
Chaitra Navratri is a pious festival which is celebrated by Hindus across the world. The festival is celebrated in the month of 'Chaitra', the first month in the Hindu calendar which generally falls between March-April in the English calendar, and hence the name 'chaitra'. Navratri in Sanskrit literally means nine nights. So, as the name suggests, the Chaitra Navratri is celebrated for nine days and each of the nine days are dedicated to the nine different avatars of Goddess Durga. It is believed that Goddess Durga arrives from heaven to stay with her devotees during this time, and so it is considered to be an auspicious time.The festival begins with a traditional ritual called Ghatasthapana. Devotees pray to Goddess Durga and her different avatars and offer flowers, fruits, and prasad to the deity . The festivities start from the pratipada on the first day and they go on till the navami or ninth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month. Chaitra Navratri is also called Vasanta Navratri or Rama Navratri as the ninth day marks the birth of Lord Rama.
Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and it falls in the spring season. Devotees worship three main manifestations of Goddess Shakti namely Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi and seek their divine blessings during this auspicious time of the year. The nine forms of Shakti which are celebrated, one on each day, are: Durga, Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri. Each form of Goddess Durga is offered different offerings. Navratri is about praying, meditating, fasting and enjoying for the nine days of festivities. Devotees avoid consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol and tobacco. Instead, they fast and consume light food cooked without onion and garlic. This fasting has a deeper meaning-- Chaitra Navratri is celebrated around season change, when summers begin. During this time, our immunity and the digestive system tends to be weak, and so it is advised to have light meals during that time. Hope Goddess Durga showers her blessings on you too. Happy Chaitra Navratri!
Shakti upasana or worship of Mother Goddess during the period will help in regular flow of grains and wealth into the home. Those interested politics and power will have desires fulfilled. It is performed to get the blessings of mother goddess and for auspiciousness in life. It is believed that the sadhana performed during the period will be rewarded and it will never be unfruitful. Prayers and pujas are performed during the period to overcome evil eye, witch hunting, black magic and other similar superstitious beliefs. Prayers are also performed during the period to overcome illness and to change bad luck.
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