Chaitra Navratri – Chaitra “is first month of year in hindu calendar” and Navratri “is Nav(nine) +Ratri(nights)”.Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious hindu festival celebrated for nine nights to worship the supreme Power – Goddess Durga.This year it is from 2nd April – 11th April.
Hello friends! Hope you all are fine and in good health. Today in this post I am sharing with you about a beautiful festival of hindu culture – Navratri.
Today is the first day of Chaitra month of traditional hindu calendar which is celebrated 🎉🎊🎁 as New Year’s Day by different names in different parts of country. Listing below some:
- Gudi Padwa – Maharashtra
- Ugadi – Karnataka/Andhra
- Baisakhi – Punjab
- Chaitrai Vishu/ Puthandu – Tamil Nadu
- Thapna – Rajasthan
- Sajubu nongma padwa -Manipur
- Chheti chand – Sindhis
Table of Contents
The Four Navratris:
- Sharad Navratri (post monsoon – September/October)
- Chaitra Navratri (post winter – (March/April)
- Magha Navratri (winter or start of spring- January/February) – Basant Panchami is celebrated on 5th day
- Ashada Navratri (start of monsoon – June/July)
The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga worshipped in Navratri:
- Day 1- Shailputri – Shail is sanskrit word which means “mountain” and putri means “daughter”.Durga maa was born as daughter of King Himalaya , so she is worshipped as Shailputri in her first form.
- Day 2- Brahmacharini – Maa durga deeply meditated to please lord Shiva.She walked bare feet with sacred kamandalu and rudraaksh mala. So she is worshipped as Brahmacharini in her Second form.
- Day 3- Chandraghanta – In this form Durga Maa has 10 hands and a crescent moon 🌙 on her forehead. She is ferocious,rides on tiger and destroys all evil.
- Day 4- Kushmanda – Ku “little”, ushma “energy “, Anda ” egg”.These 3 words define this form of maa durga.She is worshipped as the Creator of the universe.
- Day 5- Skandmata – She has 4 arms, two has lotus, one has sacred kamandalu and one has a bell. She has baby Kartikay in her lap,Kartikay is also called Skand.
- Day 6- Katyayani – This form represents Shakti.She is daughter of sage Katyayan and rides on lion.She is violent , has four arms with sword.
- Day 7- Kaalratri – In this form maa durga sacrificed her skin color, she has dark complexion to kill demons. She has a third eye, four arms,sword, trident and she rides on donkey.
- Day 8- Mahagauri – Durgashtami is dedicated to this form of goddess. She is 4 armed, rides on a bull with damru and trishul in her hands. She is goddess of purity and cleanliness.
- Day 9- Siddhidatri – 4 armed, sits on lotus. She removes ignorance and helps to realize true reality.
How We Celebrate 🎉
The first day of New Year begins with praying Goddess Durga.In many homes, people do Kalash Sthapana with copper, bronze, brass or silver Kalash. A brown coconut on it, with mango leaves,haldi,chandan,kumkum,water, coins and fresh flowers along with red chunari (piece of cloth).
On these nine days, people dress up in beautiful clothes, they do fasting and pray to goddess Durga for health, wealth, peace, prosperity, protection, knowledge and all blessings. In hindu tradition, Goddess Durga is Supreme and Almighty. She protects and takes care of her devotees against all evils. They sing bhajans and prepare variety of prasad- vrat(fast) dishes to offer to deity. They enjoy together with friends and family.
On ninth day, a special ritual of Kanya Pujan is performed where small girls are considered as devi’s figure and they are also worshipped. They are served with delicious food – Poori, Chana and halwa and offered with gifts.Ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is also celebrated as Ram Navami – the birth of Lord Rama.
Wish you all a very happy & joyful Festive Season! Enjoy!
Sabudana Khichdi Recipe – Vrat Special
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