Chaitra Navratri 2015

Chaitra Navratri in 2015 (Vasant Navratri 2015) will begin from 21st of March to 29th of March, also known as Basant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri. The ninth day of Vasant Navratri overlaps with Ram Navami, hence it is also considered as Ram Navami at some places.

Navratri is alienated into sets of three days to worship three different aspects of the uppermost goddess or goddesses. During Navratri, different forms of mother Goddess are worshiped. On the first three days, people worship the goddess Durga (to bring energy & vitality) is worshiped. The next three days are devoted to Lakshmi (to bring immense wealth). And for the last three days, the devotees worship Saraswati (to impart one with right knowledge).

In order to seek blessings of Goddess Durga, devotees read the holy book Durga Saptashati (all 9 days of Chaitra Navratri). On the eighth and ninth day, Yagna or hawan is conducted to honour Goddess Durga to offer her departure. Our culture follows the tradition of serving food (Puri, Shrikhand, basundi) and offering some gifts or money to girls called as Kanyas. Kanyas meant girls who are unmarried. They are considered as Goddess Durga, and the offerings take place on 8^th day of Chaitra Navratri. In some regions, a young boy also complements them who represent Bhairav; he is considered as protector against all evils. Fast is observed by devotees during all the nine days of Navratri. Prayers are also offered for good health and prosperity throughout these days.

Auspicious Dates of Chaitra Navratri in 2015

Vasant Navratri Day 1 – Ghatsthapana – 21 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 2 – Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya – 22 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 3 – Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya – 23 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 4 – Varadvinayak Chaturthi – 24 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 5 – Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan – 25 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 6 – Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti – 26 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 7 – Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chat, Vijaya Saptami – 27 March 2015

Chaitra Navratri Festival and Durga Puja

Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasant or Basant Navratri. Chaitra Navratri as the name suggests is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, during the Shukla Paksha. Chaitra Navratri coincides with Ram Navami and hence is also known as Rama Navratri. Navratri literally means nine nights, these nine nights are dedicated to worship of nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated on the first nine days of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. The nine incarnations of Goddess Durga that are worshipped during the Chaitra Navratri are Goddess Shailputri, Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Chaitra Navratri is one of the best periods to worship Goddess Shakti and to chant Durga Suktam.

During Chaitra Navratri devotees observe strict fast and worship Maa Durga with devotion. According to the Brahma Purana on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started creating the universe. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with dedication and devotion especially in North India. During the Navratri Puja the first three nights Goddess Durga is worshipped, on the next three nights Goddess Laxmi and on the last three nights Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

On the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, Kanya Puja is done in which nine young girls (who haven’t attained puberty) representing the nine Goddesses are worshipped and fed. Durga Stuti ‘Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu shri rupen sansthita namas tasye namas tasye names tasye namo namah’ is recited during the Navratri to worship and revere Goddess Durga.