Nav’ means Nine and ‘Ratri’ means Nights, hence the name of the Nine-Night festival. Navratri comes twice a year (there are also two secret navaratri – gupta navratri), in April and october. Chaitra Navratri, also popular as Chait Navratras, is the nine-day festival observed in Chaitra month. This year Chaitra Navratri 2015 or Vasant Navratri 2015 is from March 21 to March 28 as per Hindu calendar.  Rama Navami 2015 is on 28th March 2015 (Saturday).

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the first month of Hindu lunar calendar and Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, falls on the ninth day during Navratri.

Jai Maa Durga

Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri 2015 Dates

• 21 March 2015 (Day 1) – Pratipada/Kalash Sthapana & Maa Sailputri
• 22 March 2015 (Day 2 & 3) – Dwitiya Maa Brahmacharini Puja & Tritiya Maa Chandraghanta Puja
• 23 March 2015 (Day 4) – Chaturthi or Maa Kushmanda Puja
• 24 March 2015 (Day 5) – Panchami or Maa Skandamata Puja
• 25 March 2015 (Day 6) – Shashthi or Maa Katyayani Puja
• 26 March 2015 (Day 7) – Saptami (Maha Saptami) or Maa Kalaratri Puja
• 27 March 2015 (Day 8) – Durga Ashtami or Maa MahaGuari Puja
• 28 March 2015 (Day 9) – Rama Navami or Dashami / Maa Siddhidatri Puja

According to Hinduism, on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started the Creation. This is the Hindu New Year day as per the calendars of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Chaitra Navratri is very popular festive season in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc. This day is also known as the First Day or New Year Day of Hindu Calender (Vikrami Samvat), It is the first day of New Year 2072 on 21st March.

This month marks the beginning of Vasant rithu or spring season. Gangaur or Chaitra Gauri Puja, Chaiti Chand Puja, Sheetalashtami, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Vasant Navratri, Sri Rama Navratras, Ashokashtami, Sri Ram Navami are major celebrated festivals celebrated in this month.