‘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 March 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.This year Chaitra Navratri 2012 dates during Chaitra month are – from March 23 to April 1, 2012. Maa Durga has given us one more valuable day for more her blessings for us.

Happy Navrati

Vasant or Chaitra Navratri March 2012 dates:-

1. Ghatsthapana – Pratham Navratri – March 23, 2012
2. Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya Navratri – March 24, 2012
3. Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya Navratri – March 25, 2012
4. Varadvinayak Chaturthi, Chathurt Navratri – March 26, 2012
5. Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan, Pancham Navratri – March 27, 2012
6. Panchami Tithi is counted also on March 28, 2012
7. Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti, Shashth Navratri – March 29, 2012
8. Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chath, Vijaya Saptami, Saptam Navratri – March 30, 2012
9. Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami, Ashtam Navratri – March 31, 2012
10. Chaitra Navratri ends(Navam Navratri) – Ram Navratri Day 9 – April 1, 2012. The day is also observed as Ram Navami.

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.

Navrati Pooja

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.

Navrtai Pooja – Navdurga

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 2069 on 23rd 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.