Chaitra Navratri is a major festival of Hindu religion which starts every year on Pratipada tithi of Chaitra month. In this festival, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
On the first day, Maa Shailputri is worshipped, Shailputri means “daughter of the mountains”. It got this name because Maa Durga was born in the house of Himalaya, the king of mountains. Mother Shailputri is considered the goddess of peace and prosperity. Worshiping Him brings happiness and prosperity to a person’s life.
On the second day, Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped, Brahmacharini means “one who performs penance”. It got this name because Mother Durga had performed severe penance to fight Mahishasura. Mother Brahmacharini is considered the goddess of penance and knowledge. By worshipping him, a person increases penance, renunciation, virtue and restraint.
On the third day, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped. Chandraghanta means “shining like the moon”. It got this name because there is an hourglass-shaped crescent moon marked on the forehead of Maa Durga. Mother Chandraghanta is considered the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. By worshipping him a person attains knowledge and wisdom.
On the fourth day, Maa Kushmanda is worshipped, Kushmanda means “Mother of the World”. It got this name because, for the creation of the universe, Mother Durga had produced the egg i.e. the universe with her slow, light laughter. Mother Kushmanda is considered the goddess of energy and surgeon. By worshipping him, a person gets energy, strength and creativity.
On the fifth day, Mother Skandamata is worshipped, Skandamata means “Mother of Kartikeya”. It got this name because Mother Durga is the mother of Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Mother Skandamata is considered the goddess of child happiness. By worshipping him, a person gets the happiness of having children. He is seated on a lotus seat. That is why she is also called Padmasana Devi. His vehicle is also a lion.
On the sixth day, Mother Katyayani is worshipped, according to a legend, pleased with the rigorous penance of Maharishi Katyayani, Lord Shiva appeared to him in the form of a daughter. Maharishi Katyayan named his daughter Katyayani. Since Maharishi Katyayan was the first to worship this form of Maa Durga, hence she is also known as Katyayani. Katyayani Mata is considered the goddess of knowledge, wisdom and prudence. By worshipping him a person attains all these qualities.
On the seventh day, Maa Kaalratri, who is the destroyer of demons, is worshipped. Kalratri Mata means “destroyer of time”. He is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. Mother Kalratri is considered almighty. She is the destroyer of all obstacles and evil. By worshipping her, a person becomes free from fear and gets the blessings of Mother Durga.
Mahagauri, the form of Maa Durga is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Mahagauri means “white-complexioned mother”. She is considered the most beautiful of all the nine forms. His body is milky white and he is seated on a lotus seat. He has Trishul, Damru, Lotus and Varamudra in his four hands. Mahagauri Mata is considered a gentle, full of compassion and blessing goddess. By worshipping him, all the sins of the devotees are washed away and they attain happiness and prosperity. Story of Mahagauri Mata: According to a story, Mother Parvati, pleased with the penance of Lord Shiva, took the form of Mahagauri. He washed his body with the holy water of Ganga, which made his body milky white. Thus she came to be known as Mahagauri.
Siddhidatri, the form of Maa Durga is worshipped on the ninth day. Siddhidatri means “the giver of all siddhis”. She is the ninth and final form of Maa Durga. Siddhidatri Mata is considered the goddess of all Siddhis. By worshipping him the devotees attain all kinds of siddhis, such as immortality, peace, knowledge, power and wealth.
When is Chaitra Navratri fast observed?
Chaitra Navratri is a major festival of the Hindu religion that starts every year on Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month and ends on Navami Tithi. According to the English calendar, Chaitra Navratri usually falls in March or April.
Why celebrate Chaitra Navratri
According to the story, there was a demon named Mahishasura who was given the boon of immortality by Lord Brahma. Because of this boon, he was troubling everyone from earth to heaven. The gods, troubled by the atrocities of Mahishasura, approached Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The three gods together invoked Adi Shakti. Due to the anger of Lord Shiva and Vishnu and other gods, a light appeared from the mouth, which transformed into a woman. This is how Mother Durga appeared. The gods provided weapons to Mother Durga. Then Mother Durga challenged Mahishasura. After the war continued for 9 days, on the tenth day the mother killed Mahishasura. It is believed that during these nine days, the Mother took nine forms and killed the demons. For this reason, it is celebrated as Navratri for nine days. Apart from this, Chaitra Navratri is also considered a symbol of the Hindu New Year. On this occasion, people worship Goddess Durga and seek blessings from her.
Why is Chaitra Navratri celebrated for nine days?
According to the scriptures, the gods called upon Mother Durga to appear in nine forms to kill the demon Mahishasura. Mother Durga appeared in nine forms from Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month to Navami Tithi and killed Mahishasura. For this reason, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Chaitra Navratri.
Nine forms of Maa Durga
- Shailputri
- Brahmacharini
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandamata
- Katyayani
- Kalratri
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidatri
Why is Kalash established during Navratri?
According to the scriptures, it is believed that installing the Kalash in any auspicious or auspicious work brings happiness and prosperity and there is no shortage of money and grains. Kalash is considered a symbol of gods and goddesses, pilgrimage places, pilgrimage rivers etc. In the Kalash, Lord Vishnu resides in the mouth, Lord Shiva resides in the throat and Brahma resides in the root. Along with this, divine maternal powers reside in the middle of the Kalash.
Importance of lighting Akhand Jyoti in Chaitra Navratri
During Navratri, people light Akhand Jyoti in their homes. Akhand Jyoti is an important ritual aimed at attaining the blessings of Goddess Durga. Importance of lighting the Akhand Jyoti: By lighting the Akhand Jyoti, one receives the special blessings of Maa Durga. Negative energy is removed from the house and positive energy is transmitted, spiritual development takes place and positive thinking develops in the person.
Importance of Kanya Puja in Chaitra Navratri: Kanya Puja has special significance in Navratri. It is believed that girls are considered the form of Maa Durga during Navratri. Therefore, by worshipping Kanya, Mother Durga is pleased and bestows blessings on the devotees.
During Chaitra Navratri, people perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami Tithi.
- To receive the blessings of Maa Durga: By worshipping the girl, one gets the special blessings of Maa Durga.
- Purity and purity: Girls are considered to be the form of Maa Durga. Therefore, worshipping Kanya brings purity and sanctity to the house.
- Transmission of positive energy: Worshiping the girl brings positive energy to the house.
- Remembrance of incarnation: Kanya Puja remembers the nine incarnations of Maa Durga.
Kanya puja method
- Wash the feet of girls. Washing the feet of girls removes sins.
- Apply tilak to the girls and make them sit in a row.
- Tie Moli on the hands of girls and offer flowers at their feet.
- Serve food like puri, halwa, chana, etc. to the girls.
- Give sweets, bananas and prasad to the girls.
- Donate some money and clothes to girls.
- Perform aarti of girls and touch their feet and seek blessings.
The spiritual importance of Navratri
The spiritual significance of Navratri is as follows:
Awakening of the soul: During the nine days of Navratri, people worship the nine forms of Maa Durga. These nine forms are considered symbols of various spiritual qualities. Worshiping these forms of Maa Durga awakens the soul of a person and he moves forward on the path of his spiritual development.
The victory of good over evil: In Navratri, people remember the story of killing the demon Mahishasura by worshipping Maa Durga. This story symbolizes the victory of good over evil. During Navratri, people pledge to remove evil and ignorance from their lives and promote goodness and knowledge.
Purification of body and mind: During Navratri, people observe various spiritual rituals like fasting, meditation and yoga. Through these rituals, a person’s body and mind are purified and he develops spiritually.
Date of Chaitra Navratri in the current year 2024
Chaitra Navratri will start on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and will end on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
