It is believed that there are two types of Navratri- Chaitra which occurs in the spring (March/April) and Sharad which occurs in the autumn (September/October). Navratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. The Chaitra Navratri culminates in Ram Navami and the Sharada Navratri culminates in Durga Puja and Vijayadashami. According to Hindu religious belief, Goddess Durga is believed to be the savior of the universe and eradicator of all hindrances. ‘Navratri’ or ‘Nava Durga Parva’ is believed to be the most auspicious days of ‘Sadhana’ of ‘Shakti’ (the sublime and absolute energy) that propels God to create, restore and destroy. In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the two great epics of Hinduism, Goddess Durga has been worshipped by Ramachandra, King Ravana, and Lord Krishna respectively before the initiation of each grand war. Be a part of this festival of profound religious significance by worshipping the Goddess and indulging in vibrant festivities.
Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival, also known as Vasanth Navratri and Ashadha Navratri. This is celebrated on the first day of the Luni-Solar calendar, which coincides with March and April of the Gregorian calendar. Significantly, the last day of the nine days is celebrated as Ram Navami. All the nine days of Navratri are filled with worship, fasting, meditation, and devotion and a lot of people take a part in it. The devotees all around the country cleanse and wash their houses to welcome the Goddess. A strict vegetarian diet is followed during these nine days of Navratri and it is believed to bestow wealth, prosperity, and success in life. The nine days of the puja go like:
Day 1: Ghatasthapana & Shailputri Puja
Day 2: Brahmacharini Puja
Day 3: Chandraghanta Puja
Day 4: Kushmanda Puja
Day 5: Skandamata Puja
Day 6: Katyayani Puja
Day 7: Kalaratri Puja
Day 8: Mahagauri Puja & Kanya Pujan
Day 9: Siddhidatri Puja & Ram Navami
Navratri celebrations and customs are different in different places across India. Jammu witnesses the puja of Vaishno Devi while Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal. No matter how different the customs are, the common theme remains the same all over: the triumph of good over evil. All nine days are full of rituals, the chanting of mantras, and the singing of folk songs. The festivities conclude with Ramlila on the day of Dussehra. Dussehra is a nationwide celebration that brings families and friends closer. Gifts to India can make this year’s Navratri a special one for all your friends and family. You can also find various other gifting options for various occasions and events in India. They can easily be used to send online gifts to India to different age groups in your family.
Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious Hindu festival that worships Goddess Durga and her various forms. This is a vibrant festival celebrated with devotion all across India and among the Hindus. Chaitra Navratri. It is specifically observed in the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra (March-April) and holds a lot of significant cultural and spiritual importance. In many regions, the festival falls after the spring harvest, and also, during harvest. It also marks the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, known as the Hindu Lunar New Year. The festival is all about spiritual renewal, cleansing, and seeking the blessings of the divine. It also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and a lot of rituals are followed. The devotees generally keep a fast for nine days which is said to bring peace, joy, and happiness in one's life.
The festival of Navratri begins on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin and ends on the tenth day which is known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. The festival is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in states such as West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab. It is a nine days festival. Throughout these nine days, nine forms of Goddess Shakti are worshipped. People keep fast and offer prayers to Goddess Shakti. Garba dance is performed grandly in the evening. Everyone wears new apparel, and attractive jewelry and celebrates the festival with verve and gaiety.
Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasantha Navratri, is the second most celebrated Navratri, named after vasanta which means spring. Navratri means fasting for nine long days and dedicating it to Ma Durga. Ghatasthapana, the ceremonial placement of a Kalash is the first day of the Chaitra Navratri. Lord Rama's birthday or Ram Navami marks the end of Chaitra Navratri, i.e., the ninth day. There are different customs and puja rituals related to Chaitra Navratri that are followed by all. The devotees perform all the rituals wholeheartedly and take part in the customs and traditions.
Navratri is one of the most popular festivals of Hindus, celebrated with devotion and fervor by Indians at every corner of the globe. This festival includes fasting, having vegetarian food, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti), and recitation of religious hymns or prayer, meditation, and sacred texts related to Goddess Durga. On this occasion, different avatars of Maa Shakti are worshipped on different days. The nine nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vijayadashami or Dussehra when the idols of the Goddess Durga/Shakti are immersed in the river or pond. Dussehra is considered one of the most important festivals in India. Though the festival celebrates Durga (the Goddess of power and strength), Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth), and Saraswati (the Goddess of knowledge and learning) but all three Goddess are the incarnations of Goddess Shakti.
