Chaitra Navratri 2024 - Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is observed during Chaitra month of Hindu calendar. It is a significant festival for Hindus having specific importance. Read on to learn about the significance of Chaitra Navratri.Chaitra Navratri is one of the famous festivals of Hindus, which is celebrated for nine days and falls usually in the month of March or April. Devotees worship Goddess Durga, who is known for strength and power and seek blessings from her so that they can fight wrong things in life without compromising their morale. In this articleChaitra Navratri DatesWhy is Chaitra Navratri Celebrated?10 Facts about Chaitra NavratriFastingSignificance of Chaitra NavratriMythological Significance of Chaitra NavratriRituals during Chaitra NavratriChaitra Navratri DatesChaitra Navratri 2024 beings on 9th April and ends 17th April.All nine days of Navratri:April 9, Tuesday - Chaitra or Basanti Navratri Begins (Gudi Padwa)April 10, Wednesday - DwitiyaApril 11, Thursday - TritiyaApril 12, Friday - ChaturthiApril 13, Saturday - PanchamiApril 14, Sunday - ShasthiApril 15, Monday - SaptamiApril 16, Tuesday - AshtamiApril 17, Wednesday - NavamiWhy is Chaitra Navratri Celebrated?Chaitra is the first month of Hindu calendar and so people celebrate New Year day on the first day of worship. It is also known as Ugadi, Gudi PadwaNavratri is celebrated twice in a year by the Hindus. First one is celebrated on the arrival of summer and the second one, on the advent of winter. The customs and rituals observed during this festival is almost the same as observed during the Navratri celebrated on the onset of winter.10 Facts about Chaitra NavratriTake a quick look at 10 facts on Chaitra Navratri.The festival of Navratri is very auspicious in Hinduism as it celebrates the power of all the nine forms of Goddess Durga.These nine days, households witness a series of rituals as families worship the Goddesses.The first three days of Navratri, Goddess Durga’s energy and power are worshipped. Each day, a different appearance of Durga is worshiped. i.e., Parvati, Kali and Kumari. Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on the fourth and the sixth day.Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the fifth and the seventh day.On the eighth day or Ashtami, the Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped.Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day.On the ninth day, nine girls are invited who are yet to reach the stage of puberty. They are worshipped and given delicious food to eat and a token of love in the form of something new, like clothes or accessories. This is known as Kanya Puja.After worshipping all the different appearances of goddess Durga, on the tenth day comes the festival of Dussehra.In some parts of the county, on these nine days, the folk dance, Garba and Dandiya are played. This witnesses colourful clothes and a lot of enthusiasm from people.FastingIn some parts of the country, people fast during Navratri. People believe that by fasting, they can purify their body, heart, mind and soul. There is a specific fast diet that people follow during these nine days. Here is why people fast:1) People believe that by fasting and sacrificing some personal interests, one devotes his or her respect for goddess Durga. By doing this the person can achieve the blessings of goddess Durga.2) Navratri is observed at the change of seasons. Seasonal changes can have various effects on your body, physically and mentally. Fasting during this time could really balance your energy and can enable you to seek blessings of Goddess Durga.3) Fasting can enable you to have a control over you mind and body and stay disciplined.Rules for fasting:Very young, very old or pregnant women should not fast, as it could affect their health majorly.Eating non-vegetarian, onions, garlic, salt and spices during fasting is not allowed.One should not indulge in drinking and smoking during fasting.Make sure you intake a lot of fluids during fasting.People who are fasting must get up early, take a bath and get dressed in fresh clothes.During the fasting period, people are supposed to perform a Puja in the morning and evening after the sun sets.Men and women, both, are allowed to fast.During the fasting period, people who fast are required to eat Satvik meal.One must indulge in charity during this period for a spiritual cleanse.Eat loads of fruit and consume fruit juices during the fasting period.Significance of Chaitra NavratriDevotees worship Goddess Durga during the ten days and seek blessings from her. It is believed that one who worships her during this specific time period without any desire can attain salvation.Chaitra Navratri is observed during the time of the year when Mother Nature undergoes big changes climatically. It is believed that keeping fast during this time helps one prepare for the summer season.Also, Chaitra Navratri symbolises beginning of theNew Year according to Hindu calendar. It also marks beginning of spring season when new flowers and fruits start to bloom. People worship Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati to seek blessings from them. The entire period of nine days and the tenth day when the idol is immersed are about praying, fasting, dancing and enjoying. All this in totality helps people get organised for summer season.Mythological Significance of Chaitra NavratriNavratri is a Sanskrit word, which means nine divine nights. This means nine nights of celebration and during this period nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Since this Navratri falls in the month of Chaitra, it is known as Chaitra Navratri. Navratri symbolises victory of good over evil. Navratri is divided into three parts to worship three different aspects of three Goddesses.According to popular Hindu belief, Lord Shiva gave permission to his wife, Goddess Durga to meet her mother only for nine days. This is because in many castes women visit their mother’s house during this period. During this period of time she killed the demon, Mahishasura. This is the reason why Goddess Durga is worshipped as symbol of Shakti, which means ultimate strength. She is worshipped for strength, power and energy. Devotees believe that Maa Durga cannot be created or destroyed. People pray to the Goddess to bestow blessings on them so that their inner strength never gets destroyed.Rituals during Chaitra NavratriEven before the celebration starts, people clean their houses, prepare new clothes to welcome the festival. Fasting and praying are the two main aspects of celebrating this Navratri. Most of the devotees observe fast for the entire nine days. However, others have Satvik food during these days and even avoid using onion and garlic for preparing food and avoid non-vegetarian food completely. The fast is broken on the ninth day after the Havan is completed. The ninth day or Navami is also observed as Ram Navami as per Hindu calendar.Navratri is a period of introspection and purification of self. It is considered auspicious for starting new ventures. So, pray and fast soulfully this Navratri and stay blessed throughout the year.When does Chaitra Navratri being? How is Chaitra Navratri observed? How to do Puja on the day of Chaitra Navratri? Discuss here.

Chaitra Navratri is observed during Chaitra month of Hindu calendar. It is a significant festival for Hindus having specific importance. Read on to learn about the significance of Chaitra Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri is one of the famous festivals of Hindus, which is celebrated for nine days and falls usually in the month of March or April. Devotees worship Goddess Durga, who is known for strength and power and seek blessings from her so that they can fight wrong things in life without compromising their morale.

Chaitra Navratri Dates

Chaitra Navratri 2024 beings on 9th April and ends 17th April.

All nine days of Navratri:

April 9, Tuesday - Chaitra or Basanti Navratri Begins (Gudi Padwa)
April 10, Wednesday - Dwitiya
April 11, Thursday - Tritiya
April 12, Friday - Chaturthi
April 13, Saturday - Panchami
April 14, Sunday - Shasthi
April 15, Monday - Saptami
April 16, Tuesday - Ashtami
April 17, Wednesday - Navami

Why is Chaitra Navratri Celebrated?

Chaitra is the first month of Hindu calendar and so people celebrate New Year day on the first day of worship. It is also known as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa

Navratri is celebrated twice in a year by the Hindus. First one is celebrated on the arrival of summer and the second one, on the advent of winter. The customs and rituals observed during this festival is almost the same as observed during the Navratri celebrated on the onset of winter.

10 Facts about Chaitra Navratri

Take a quick look at 10 facts on Chaitra Navratri.

The festival of Navratri is very auspicious in Hinduism as it celebrates the power of all the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
These nine days, households witness a series of rituals as families worship the Goddesses.
The first three days of Navratri, Goddess Durga’s energy and power are worshipped. Each day, a different appearance of Durga is worshiped. i.e., Parvati, Kali and Kumari.
Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on the fourth and the sixth day.
Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the fifth and the seventh day.
On the eighth day or Ashtami, the Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped.
Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day.
On the ninth day, nine girls are invited who are yet to reach the stage of puberty. They are worshipped and given delicious food to eat and a token of love in the form of something new, like clothes or accessories. This is known as Kanya Puja.
After worshipping all the different appearances of goddess Durga, on the tenth day comes the festival of Dussehra.
In some parts of the county, on these nine days, the folk dance, Garba and Dandiya are played. This witnesses colourful clothes and a lot of enthusiasm from people.

Fasting

In some parts of the country, people fast during Navratri. People believe that by fasting, they can purify their body, heart, mind and soul. There is a specific fast diet that people follow during these nine days.

Here is why people fast:

1) People believe that by fasting and sacrificing some personal interests, one devotes his or her respect for goddess Durga. By doing this the person can achieve the blessings of goddess Durga.

2) Navratri is observed at the change of seasons. Seasonal changes can have various effects on your body, physically and mentally. Fasting during this time could really balance your energy and can enable you to seek blessings of Goddess Durga.

3) Fasting can enable you to have a control over you mind and body and stay disciplined.

Rules for fasting:

Very young, very old or pregnant women should not fast, as it could affect their health majorly.
Eating non-vegetarian, onions, garlic, salt and spices during fasting is not allowed.
One should not indulge in drinking and smoking during fasting.
Make sure you intake a lot of fluids during fasting.
People who are fasting must get up early, take a bath and get dressed in fresh clothes.
During the fasting period, people are supposed to perform a Puja in the morning and evening after the sun sets.
Men and women, both, are allowed to fast.
During the fasting period, people who fast are required to eat Satvik meal.
One must indulge in charity during this period for a spiritual cleanse.
Eat loads of fruit and consume fruit juices during the fasting period.

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Devotees worship Goddess Durga during the ten days and seek blessings from her. It is believed that one who worships her during this specific time period without any desire can attain salvation.

Chaitra Navratri is observed during the time of the year when Mother Nature undergoes big changes climatically. It is believed that keeping fast during this time helps one prepare for the summer season.

Also, Chaitra Navratri symbolises beginning of theNew Year according to Hindu calendar. It also marks beginning of spring season when new flowers and fruits start to bloom. People worship Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati to seek blessings from them. The entire period of nine days and the tenth day when the idol is immersed are about praying, fasting, dancing and enjoying. All this in totality helps people get organised for summer season.

Mythological Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Navratri is a Sanskrit word, which means nine divine nights. This means nine nights of celebration and during this period nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Since this Navratri falls in the month of Chaitra, it is known as Chaitra Navratri. Navratri symbolises victory of good over evil. Navratri is divided into three parts to worship three different aspects of three Goddesses.

According to popular Hindu belief, Lord Shiva gave permission to his wife, Goddess Durga to meet her mother only for nine days. This is because in many castes women visit their mother’s house during this period. During this period of time she killed the demon, Mahishasura. This is the reason why Goddess Durga is worshipped as symbol of Shakti, which means ultimate strength. She is worshipped for strength, power and energy. Devotees believe that Maa Durga cannot be created or destroyed. People pray to the Goddess to bestow blessings on them so that their inner strength never gets destroyed.

Rituals during Chaitra Navratri

Even before the celebration starts, people clean their houses, prepare new clothes to welcome the festival. Fasting and praying are the two main aspects of celebrating this Navratri. Most of the devotees observe fast for the entire nine days. However, others have Satvik food during these days and even avoid using onion and garlic for preparing food and avoid non-vegetarian food completely. The fast is broken on the ninth day after the Havan is completed. The ninth day or Navami is also observed as Ram Navami as per Hindu calendar.

Navratri is a period of introspection and purification of self. It is considered auspicious for starting new ventures. So, pray and fast soulfully this Navratri and stay blessed throughout the year.

When does Chaitra Navratri being? How is Chaitra Navratri observed? How to do Puja on the day of Chaitra Navratri? Discuss here.