Chaitra Navratri has begun from 9 April 2024, the festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. In the Hindu religion, Navratri is one of the important festivals celebrated all over India. People observe fast and worship Goddess Durga for nine days at their home.
Chaitra Navratri Significance
Navratri means “nine nights,” it’s a Hindu festival where we worship Goddess Durga, a form of Adi Parashakti. The nine-day festival associated with Goddess Durga falls first in March/April (Chaitra month) and is named Chaitra Navratri.
Apart from Chaitra Navratri, we have Sharada Navratri and two Gupt Navratri. Chaitra Navratri falls during the time of spring, it is also known as Vasantha Navratri. Chaitra Navratri also begins the Hindu New Year or Nav Varsh in the Hindu Calendar.
Devotees worship nine forms of Goddess Durga during the nine-day festival. On the last day of the Chaitra Navaratri, we also celebrate the Rama Navami celebrating the birth of Lord Rama.
The nine-day festival is a symbol of victory of good over evil, as Goddess Durga battles against the demon Mahishsura. The festival celebrates the Goddess Durga and her specific forms of NavDurga that represent the major aspect of Goddess Parvati’s life.
According to Hindu beliefs, Goddess Durga came to earth during this time, and people who established Goddess Durga idols at their homes and offered prayers to the Goddess got blessed by the Goddess.
Nine forms of Goddess Durga
Each day of Navratri is associated with the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, devotees worship and listen to the tales of all these avatars of Goddess Durga.
Here are the Nine forms of Goddess Durga associated with each day of Navratri for you to worship:
| Days | Forms of Goddess Durga | Significance | Colour of the Day |
| Day 1 | Maa Shailaputri | Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped as the Daughter of Himavan. | Bright Red |
| Day 2 | Maa Brahmacharini | The Unmarried incarnation of Goddess Parvati where she became Yogini. | Royal Blue |
| Day 3 | Maa Chandraghanta | Goddess Chandraghanta represents the married self of Goddess Parvati. | Yellow |
| Day 4 | Maa Kushmanda | Goddess Kushmanda has the power to create the universe. | Green |
| Day 5 | Maa Skandmata | Goddess Skandmata is worshipped as the mother of Kartikeya depicting the strength of the mother when the child is in danger. | Grey |
| Day 6 | Maa Katyayani | The incarnation of Goddess Durga who killed the Mahisasur (Buffalo demon). | Orange |
| Day 7 | Maa Kaalaratri | The incarnation of Goddess Parvati who killed demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. | White |
| Day 8 | Maa Mahagauri | When Kaalaratri took a bath in the Ganga river she gained the form of Mahagauri. | Pink |
| Day 9 | Maa Siddhidatri | It is believed that Goddess Siddhidatri has achieved all types of Siddhis. | Sky Blue |
Chaitra Navratri Rituals
Devotees of Goddess Durga perform many rituals on the occasion of Chaitra Navratri. Here are some rituals that you can perform with your family on the occasion of Chaitra Navratri:
- On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, people do Ghatasthapana meaning Kalash Sthapan (install a pot at their home temple), and offer prayers to the Goddess Durga.
- People observe fast during these nine days or some people observe fast on the first and last day of the Navratri.
- People follow the Sathvik diet during this time and avoid eating tamasic food.
- For nine days, people offer prayers to nine forms of Goddess Durga during morning and evening.
- People attend bhajan, kirtan, or ceremonies happening at temples during this time.
- Some people organize the recitation of Durga Chalisa and Kirtan of Goddess Durga at their home to seek the blessing of Goddess Durga.
- On the last day, people invite small girls to their homes for a meal and present them with some gifts. According to Hindu beliefs, the girls represent Goddess Durga and her forms and when devotees offer them a meal, they complete their nine-day fasting and devotion towards Goddess Durga.
Chaitra Navratri Celebration
Chaitra Navratri celebrates the strength, unity, and courage of women as we offer prayers to Goddess Durga. In India, people celebrate the festival by doing charity during the period of Navratri.
In some places in India, you will see pandals of Goddess Durga where the celebration of the festival is a sight to see as people dance and sing songs associated with the Goddess that tells the great tales of Goddess Durga’s battle over Mahisasur and various demons.
Every region of India celebrates the festival in its own way, but the core value of the festival remains the same, which is celebrating and worshipping the divine feminine energy of Supreme Goddess Durga.