Significance of Chaitra Navratri

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious festival that is celebrated by Hindus during March- April. It is a festival held over 9 days, and it signifies the triumph of good over evil.

During the Navratri festival, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. They are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Kaalratri, Katyayani, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.

Navratri is celebrated four times a year. Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are the two main Navratri festivals.

Chaitra Navratri: Legends

Lord Shiva once allowed his wife Parvati (Durga) to stay at her parent’s house for nine days. During these days, the goddess killed the demon, Mahishasura. This event marks the victory of good over evil. Worshipping Durga provides us inner strength. During Navratri, many Hindu women visit their parents’ homes.

Chaitra Navratri: Significance

Chaitra Navratri represents the victory of good over evil. Supposedly, worshipping Goddess Durga gives us inner strength shakti (power). It also brings salvation and wish-fulfillment.

Chaitra Navratri heralds the beginning of the new season when flowers bloom and fruits appear on trees.

Astrological significance of Navratri

Chaitra Navratri has a special significance in astrology. The Sun begins a new cycle after finishing his journey in the 12 zodiac signs and again enters Aries, the first zodiac sign.

Chaitra Navratri starts with the first day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month, the first month of the Hindu calendar. The Brahma Purana says that Lord Brahma began to create the world from this day. The Hindu New Year begins to be counted from Chaitra Navratri. Some believe that Maa Durga came down to earth on the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Brahma began his work of creation at her behest. So, the Hindu New Year begins with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (first day).

It is said that on the third day of Chaitra Navratri, Lord Vishnu took his first incarnation as Matsya and established the earth. Also, Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, was also born on the ninth or Navami day of Chaitra Navratri. This is celebrated as Rama Navami. During Chaitra Navratri, the Kalash is installed, and a constantly burning flame is lit for nine days. Durga Saptashati is constantly recited, too.

Chaitra Navratri is widely celebrated in Northern India. In Maharashtra and Goa, it starts with Gudi Parva. In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, it starts with Ugadi.

Devotees often light a ghee lamp to get rid of negative energy. Others sow the first crop of barley, it being the start of the spring season.Jaggery, bananas, kheer, and coconut are offered to Durga as ‘bhog’ during the nine days of Navratri. People also wear nine different colors during the nine days of Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri 2021 or Vasant Navratri 2021 is from April 13 – 22.