The arrival of Summer has been announced by the heat in the air, seasonal flowers, and fruits all around, and the elongation of daytime. With the Sun getting intense and a new phase beginning, the Hindu society at the onset of this season celebrates Chaitra Navaratri- nine days dedicated to the great mother goddess Durga and her nine forms. Devotees of goddess Durga welcome her home and worship their beloved Maa in various ways, leading to a nationwide festive feel for nine days, ending with the celebration of Rama Navami or the birthday of Lord Rama.
As the term suggests, Chaitra Navaratri falls in the month of Chaitra, which is the first month of the Hindu calendar (lunar), in the months of March and April. The first day of Chaitra Maas (month) is celebrated by many traditional Hindu families as “Yugadi” or the starting of a Yuga (age). Though the entirety of Chaitra is lined with different auspicious occasions, the most important one is the Navaratri, a celebration of the supreme mother and her benevolence.
According to prevalent beliefs around Chaitra Navaratri, it is a remembrance of goddess Durga’s victory over the demon-king Mahishasura. Shakta tradition narrates the saga of the emergence of Devi Durga as an answer to the prayers of the gods, who were terrorized by Mahishasura, a shape-shifting demon who with his army had attacked the abode of the gods. When no one was able to defeat the demon, all the gods joined forces and prayed to the primordial principle, who came forth, in the form of the powerful Durga.
Each god offered their powers to the potent goddess in the form of a weapon, arming her for the battle with the menacing Mahishasura. In the battleground, the goddess appeared as a beautiful warrior, seeing which the demon was mesmerized and approached her with a marriage proposal. When Durga laughed at the demon, angered, he tried to attack her. But who could defeat the cosmic powers of Durga?
Piercing Mahishasura with her Trishula (trident), the great goddess put an end to the chapter of his evil attacks and bestowed balance and auspiciousness on the Universe. Since then, the Navaratri has been celebrated by her devotees to appease the great mother and gain her protection against the negativity and evil of the world.
Others associate the Navaratris with the Puja of goddess Durga performed by Lord Rama to emerge victorious over Ravana. Another tradition reveres the great mother during these nine days as the supreme being who descends the realm of humans to take part in the process of creation and sustenance.
Duration and Dates for Chaitra Navaratri
Pratipada - 9th April 2024 Tuesday :: Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshana, Shailputri Puja - Color of the day - RedDwitiya - 10th April 2024 Wednesday :: Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja - Color of the day - Royal BlueTritiya - 11th April 2024 Thursday :: Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej, Chandraghanta Puja - Color of the day - YellowChaturthi - 12th April 2024 Friday :: Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Lakshmi Panchami - Color of the day - GreenPanchami - 13th April 2024 Saturday :: Naag Puja, Skandamata Puja, Skanda Sashti - Color of the day - GreyShashthi - 14th April 2024 Sunday :: Yamuna Chhath, Katyayani Puja - Color of the day - OrangeSaptami - 15th April 2024 Monday :: Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja - Color of the day - WhiteAshtami - 16th April 2024 Tuesday :: Mahagauri Puja, Annapurna Ashtami, Sandhi Puja - Color of the day - PinkNavami - 17th April 2024 Wednesday :: Rama Navami, Navratri Parana - Color of the day - Sky Blue
In 2024, Chaitra Navaratri is to be celebrated from April 9 to April 17, a total of nine days. The days are dedicated to the nine forms of goddess Durga- Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhadatri. These forms are mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya’s “Kavachastotra” (a hymn of protection). Chaitra Navaratri ends with Navami or Rama Navami celebrations, with many devotees performing elaborate worship for all nine days and conducting Bhoja (food distribution) for young girls who are worshipped as living forms of Durga.
The most popular forms of goddess Durga associated with Navaratri are Shailaputri (the daughter of shaila or mountain Himalaya), Brahmacharini (she who follows the path of supreme wisdom), Chandraghanta (whose bell is shaped like the moon), Kushmanda (she who carried the egg or anda of Universe in her womb), Skandamata (the mother of Skanda or Karttikeya), Katyayani (the daughter of sage Katyayana), Kalaratri (the dark night), Mahagauri (the great Gauri or Parvati), Siddhadatri (she who bestows siddhi or perfection in endevours).
However, in popular worship traditions in Hindu households, the idol that is established and the main deity revered during the Navaratri is goddess Durga, in her form as a lion-riding, warrior goddess with ten arms, draped in beautiful red saree, ornamented with queenly jewelry and raising her hand in Abhaya mudra or the gesture of fearlessness, often lovingly called “Sherawali Mata” (the lion-rider mother) or simply Devi Maa (mother goddess) by her followers.
A major part of the Navaratri Puja during Chaitra is the observance of vrata or fast. The devotees usually fast for all nine days or two days, eating fruits and avoiding food grains. Vrata in Hindu culture is a way of cleansing the body and mind so that the person becomes worthy of receiving the powers of the deity. During the vrata, the devotee engages in dhyana (meditation) on the goddess, waking up early, performing daily Puja, and reciting hymns of Durga from the Durga Saptashati and Devi Mahatmya.
The vrata ends on the eighth or ninth day, with a special Puja to the goddess, seeking her blessing and forgiveness and distribution of the Prasada (sacred food). Many fasting individuals perform the Kanya Bhoja, welcoming young girls (5,7,9 or 11) into their homes, washing their feet, offering them food and gifts and taking their blessings.
Many devotees start the Navaratri with Kalash-Sthapana, the establishment of an earthen pot in their place of worship, filled with water, with mango leaves dipped in it, covered with an earthenware lid on which rice is placed. Some also light the Akhand-deepak or the eternal lamp which is to be kept constantly lit for the duration of the nine days.
The fasts of the nine days end with a home-cooked feast, made up of various sweet and savory local dishes which are first offered to goddess Durga and then distributed amongst the family members and neighbors. The festivities of Navaratri, much like any other Indian festival are incomplete without a lip-smacking variety of regional dishes, which are prepared with devotion and love throughout the country.
Mother or Maa in Indian culture is the most divine and loved being. Throughout the country thus, there are innumerable ways of worshipping her and welcoming her. From north to south, there exists a rich variance in the celebration of Chaitra Navaratri, which shows how ancient and primal the tradition of Devi-Puja (worship of goddess) is to Indian culture. Let us take a look at a few examples from different states of India, to witness the bliss of Chaitra Navaratri-
A welcoming of the new moon, Gudi Padwa in simple terms can be seen as the celebration of New Year. A gudi (translated by many as a symbolic flag), consisting of a silk cloth tied to a bamboo, with leaves of Mango and Neem trees, flowers and a metal pot is hung from every Marathi home. It is also the welcoming of spring and the crops of Rabi, changes which are integral to an agriculture-based locale of Maharashtra and Konkan.
People consume jaggery and neem leaves during the festival as a symbol of the mixed experiences of life, and also for the health benefits they offer. With food and community participation, Chaitra festivities in Maharashtra have a marvelous local flavor. During the Navaratri, the abode of Tulja Bhavani, the mother goddess worshipped by Shivaji is crowded by devotees pouring from every direction, to participate in her Abhishekam (consecration) and worship.
A tradition similar to Gudi Padwa is followed in Karnataka, known as Ugadi (or Yugadi) as the Hindu lunar new year. Rangoli is made on the threshold of houses, leaves are tied together in eco-friendly Torana (door decoration), and festivities begin in all temples. Pachadi made from fresh vegetables is served during Ugadi and is relished in Kannada homes.
Though Sharadeeya Navaratri is more popularly known as “the” Navaratri celebration of West Bengal, the sweet state comes alive with an equal zest during Chaitra Navaratri. Temples of goddesses are visited by the devotees, with many Devi-pujak and Sadhaka (devotees of goddesses) performing elaborate worship for nine days at home. The festivities also include the preparation of soulful Bengali food such as bhoger khichudi (a rice porridge) and Labra (a mixture of fresh seasonal vegetables served with the khichudi).
The people of the colorful state of Gujarat welcome their Ambe Maa (a local name for goddess Durga) during Chaitra with the vibrant Garba (folk dance) and Kalash-Sthapana, placing an earthen vessel called “garbha” or womb in their home. The pot is an ancient symbol of the fertility and auspiciousness of the female principle, which continues to be worshipped in rituals related to the great goddess. The festivities declare the coming of the new year and new beginnings for the people, who worship the goddess to gain her blessings.
Many regions of India, from north to south celebrate Navaratri and Rama Navami with Melas- local fairs that are popular amongst the residents of the areas. Jhankis or tableaus dedicated to goddess Durga and Sri Rama with processions of devotees cheering, singing and dancing travel the lanes of villages and towns, especially on the day of Rama Navami. In 2024, Rama Navami Mela will be conducted on 17 April. With the Ayodhya Rama Mandir opening its gates for devotees, the city is getting ready to welcome a large number of people for Rama Navami Mela this year.
A celebration of Shakti- energy, Navaratri for the devotees of the great mother and Hindus in general is one of the most important festivals. It is a time to dedicate oneself to the worship of Durga, who shields the mind and soul and bestows true power and wisdom on her devotees.
During Chaitra Navaratri, recitation of Devi’s name, singing her glories through hymns and performing virtuous acts becomes the routine of her devotees. With the heart focused on the lotus feet of the mother of the Universe, Jagadambba, the nine nights of the goddess or Navaratri is a period of Sadhana which brings the devotee closer to the mighty mother.
In Hindu-Shakta tradition, two Navaratris are the most important ones- Chaitra and Sharada Navaratri. While Chaitra Navaratri, also known as Vasanteeya (spring) Navaratri falls during March or April, Sharada or Sharadeeya Navaratri is observed during the months of September and October.
Both the Navaratris fall during a time of seasonal change, however, Sharada Navaratri seems to be the more famous one out of the two. Moreover, Chaitra Navaratri is associated with the lunar new year and Rama Navami (birth of Rama), while Sharada Navaratri celebrates the victory of goodness over evil, ending with Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Durga literally translates to “she who is difficult to attain”, however, one of her dhyana-mantra worshiped her as “Durgati-Nashini” or “she who ends evil or misfortune”. Simply put, goddess Durga is the ultimate deity, the beginning, sustenance, and end of creation. She is Srishti (creation), Maya (the visual and experienced world around), and Kali (the annihilator). In all the sects and traditions of the country, her presence is felt in one form or the other.
Thus, to seek her blessings before any big changes and new beginnings is only natural. Chaitra Navaratri marks the beginning of the new year and a new season in India, a transformation that is blessed by the great mother, who is evoked across the country during this time, tying the subcontinent together in a string of devotion and celebration.
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