‘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 2014 dates during Chaitra month are – from March 31 to April 08, 2014. Maa Durga has given us one more valuable day for more her blessings for us.
Vasant or Chaitra Navratri April dates:-
- Ghatsthapana – Pratham Navratri – March 31, 2014
- Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya Navratri – April 1, 2014
- Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya Navratri – April 2, 2014
- Varadvinayak Chaturthi, Chaturth Navratri – April 3, 2014
- Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan, Pancham Navratri – April 4, 2014
- Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti, Shasthm Navratri – April 5, 2014
- Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chath, Vijaya Saptami, Saptam Navratri – April 6, 2014
- Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami, Ashtam Navratri – April 7, 2014
- Vasant Navratri ends – Ram Navratri Navam Navratri – April 8, 2014
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.
Maa Durga Navaratri Festival
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.
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 2071 on 31st 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 festivales celebrated in this month.