‘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 it is a very rare chance for all of us that this time there are 10 Navaratis becuse of two Navami Tithis. This year Chaitra Navratri 2013 dates during Chaitra month are – from April 11 to April 20, 2013. Maa Durga has given us one more valuable day for more her blessings for us.
Navdurga – Jai Maa Durga
Vasant or Chaitra Navratri April 2013 dates:-
- Ghatsthapana, Pratham Navratri – April 11, 2013
- Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya Navratri – April 12, 2013
- Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Vaisakhi, Matsya Jayanti, Tritiya Navratri – April 13, 2013
- Varadvinayak Chaturthi, Chathurt Navratri – April 14, 2013
- Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Pancham Navratri – April 15, 2013
- Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti, Shashth Navratri – April 16, 2013
- Mahasaptami Vrat, Saptam Navratri – April 17, 2013
- Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami, Ashtam Navratri – April 18, 2013
- Ram Navratri Day 9, Navam Navratri – April 19, 2013, This day is also observed as Ram Navami.
- Chaitra Navratri Ends, Navam Navratri – April 20, 2013
As per the legends mentioned in the Puranas and other Hindu scriptures, Chaitra Navratri is the actual Navratri during which Goddess Durga was worshipped. But during the time of Ramayan war, Lord Sri Ram worshiped Durga at the time of Ashwin month. Since then, Ashwin Navratri or Durga Navratri has become the main festive season to worship the Goddess.
Chaitra Navratras starts on the first day in Chaitra month and ends on Sri Rama Navami, the ninth day of the month. It is also known as Vasant Navratras, Ram Navratri and Spring Navratri or Basant Navratri. Navratri is a festival of worship and devotion. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit; Nava – Nine and Ratri – nights. As this Navratra ends on Ram Navami day, it also referred as Rama Navratri.
Mahamaya Maa Durga
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 2070 on 11th April.
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 festivales celebrated in this month.