[ Edit ] Overview

Not to be confused with Navrati, popular for its Dandiya Raas and Maa Durga celebrations that occur during the months of September - October, Chaitra Navratri is its own, but related festival. 

Chaitra Navratri begins with the start of the Hindu New year on “Vikram Sambat” which is the first day of the Chaitra month (March – April).

Both the Navratris are celebrated seasonal change. Chaitra Navratri welcomes the summer season.

The time of Chaitra Navratri coincides with Ram Navami that falls on the 9th day of the Chaitra month. Hence this Navratri celebrated in the months of April - March is also called Ram Navratri.

Navratri is mainly dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to the Goddess Durga in her form of “Mother Gauri or Pravati”.

Top Δ

Quick Facts

[ Edit ] When

 

Chaitra Navratri usually during the months of March or April.

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Duration

9 days

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Where

Chaitra Navratri is mainly celebrated in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Also Known As

Chaitra Navratri is also called Vasant Navratri and Basanti Navratri

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Dedicated To

Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to the Goddess Durga in her form of “Mother Gauri", "Parvati” or "Shakti"

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Significance

Chaitra Navatri is celebrated to welcome the start of the summer season and to acknowledge the divine power of Maa Durga / Shakti.

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Legends/History

King Dhruvasindu of the kingdom of Kosala was killed by a lion on a hunting trip. In his place, Prince Sudarsana was to be crowned King. But King Yudhajit of Ujjain and King Virasena of Kalinga wanted to secure the throne of Kosala for their respective grandsons. As a result a war erupted in which killed King Virasena.

Queen Manorama, the daughter of King Virasena fled with Prince Sudarsana and an eunuch to a forest where they took refuge with Rishi Bharadwaj in his hermitage.

With the obstacles in his path removed King Yudhajit crowned his grandson Satnijit at Ayodhya, capital of kingdom of Kosala and tried to capture Queen Manorama and the prince. However the Rishi refused to let harm come to those who had sought protection from him.

Prince Sudarsana started to call the enuch, whose name was "Kleeba", by the word "Kleen". This syllable was a powerful sacred Sankrit mantra and is the root syllable of the Divine Mother, or Maa Durga.

Since the Prince Sudarsana went on repeating the word he obtained peace of mind by the grace of the Divine Mother. Maa Durga appeared to him, blessed him, and granted him certain divine weapons.

Years later when the emissaries of the King of Benares passed through the ashram of Rishi, they saw the noble Prince Sudarsana and recommended him for marriage to Princess Sashikala, the daughter of the King of Benares.

A Swayamvar was held for her to choose her future spouse and she chose Prince Sudarsana. They were joyfully wedded. King Yudhijit was present at the wedding and was angry at the King of Benares. Maa Durga sided with the Prince and his father-in-law, the King of Benares. But King Yudhijit mocked her. Maa Durga got angry and reduced him and his army down to ashes.

Prince Sudarsana, his wife Princess Shashikala and the King of Benares praised the Maa Durga which pleased her and she ordered them to worship by performing a “havan” during Chaitra Navratri.

The Prince and his wife returned to the ashram of Rishi Bharadwaj, who gave them his blessing and crowned the Prince as the King of Kosala.

As per the commands of the Divine Mother the havan is performed during the month of Chaitra and is called Chaitra Navratri.

Sudarsana’s descendants, who were Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman, also worshipped the Devi.

Legend suggests that Lord Ram wanted the blessings of Maa Durga before beginning his war with the demon Ravana to rescue his wife Sita. Thus he invoked Maa Durga during the Hindu month of Ashwin (September- October). Therefore the Durga Puja at that time is known as “Akal Bodhon” or untimely invocation.

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Traditions And Celebrations

Navratri is celebrated twice in a year and all over India it is an auspicious occasion for the Hindus where celebrations are in full swing. However Chaitra Navratri is not known to many people as it does not have the pomp and fanfare associated with the large scale worship of Goddess Durga that takes place during the months of September- October.

People go to temples, sing devotional prayers and all the temples are decorated with lights and flowers. A large number of devotees throng the temples especially at Ayodhya and Pondicherry.

Many people also call little girls to their homes and give them delicious foods to eat as they believe that girls symbolize Goddess Durga and are called as “Kanjaks”. This is called as “Kanjan Pooja”.

Public gatherings called Satsangs are also organized at many places to celebrate the birth of Lord Ram which coincides with Chaitra Navratri.

People fast on this day as they believe fasting helps to adapt to the climatic changes just one of the reasons why this festival is celebrated. Only fruits and raw foods are consumed during Chaitra Navratri as they are easily digestible and help the body adapt to the changing weather. Fasting also helps in eliminating toxins and waste that clog the digestive system.

Top Δ

Festival Fun

[ Edit ] Food / Recipes

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Music / Dance

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Gift Tradition

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Others

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Other Information

Top Δ

SMS & Greetings

[ Edit ] SMS Wishes

Top Δ

[ Edit ] Greetings

Top Δ

Recent News

[ARCHIVES ]