Every year Hindus celebrate two major Navratris – Chaitra Navratri and Sharda Navratri. Sharda Navratri is considered to be the main Navratri day coming in the month of September-October, and before, in spring, we have Chaiti Navratri. Chaitra Navratri gets its name from the month of Chaitra, which is the name of March-April in Hindi.
Date for Chaitra Navratri 2025
In 2025, Chaiti Navratri will begin on March 30 and end on 7 April, in which Rama Navami will fall on 6 April.
According to the Drick Panchang, the first day for Ghatasthapana, or Kalash Stopana, “March 30, 2025, Sunday, Chatra Ghatra is” Chatra Ghatra Ghatsthapana “
Ghatasthapana Murat – 06:13 AM to 10:22 AM
Duration – 04 hours 08 minutes
Ghatstha Abhijeet Muhat – 12:01 am to 12:50 pm
Duration – 00 hours 50 minutes
Falls on Ghatasthapana Muhurta Pratipada Titi
Pratipada Tithi begins – 04:27 PM on March 29, 2025
Pratipada Tithi ends – 12:49 PM on March 30, 2025 ”
History of Chaitra Navratri
Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Durga, her nine forms and her terrible nature which is also protective and care. According to legends, texts and beliefs, Goddess Durga was built by Gods, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma to defeat the demon Mahishasura, who had attained invincible powers and wreaking havoc on earth. It is believed that the fight lasted for nine days, in which Mother Durga exposed her nine forms, and on the tenth day she emerged victorious, which became a symbol of the victory of good over evil.
Chaiti Navratri also comes in the same period when Hindus are about to begin the New Year, and the spring season begins to breathe life in nature.
In many areas, it is also believed that Lord Rama worshiped Maa Durga during this period, so that Ravana can be blessed before fasting.
Importance of Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri is an important part of Hindu beliefs and rituals, and like Sharda Navratri, devotees also fast for Maa Durga and many of her incarnations during this time.
The importance and importance of the festival lies in the nine -day battle of Maa Durga against Mahishasura, and how it reminds people that although some quarrels can be difficult, the truth side always wins.
And since Chaiti Navratri falls at the same time as spring and Hindu New Year, people use this time to determine their goals and ambitions for the year, and with a routine of fasting, they pray for a better and clear brain, pure ideas and more.
Both Chaitra Navratri and Sharada Navratri are also a celebration of divine women, power, who not only nourishes all beings, but also ends those who try to dominate positivity.
And so for believers of Maa Durga around the world, Chaitra Navratri has a period to start with meditation, chanting, donations, and more. They pray to Maa Durga to overcome obstacles from their lives, fasting, do kirts, and more, to keep their mind and heart pure and calm.
Celebrations around India
Both Chaitra and Sharada Navratri are celebrated all over India, and have very few variations with changes in regions. While worshiping Maa Durga and her symptoms is the same, there are small changes –
People in North India are adorned with the flowers of their home temples and temples which are beloved of Maa Durga, and Bhajan Kirtan is done to maintain a spiritual atmosphere all around.
In Maharashtra, Chaiti Navratri coincides with Gudi Padwa, marks the New Year, and people hoist a ‘Gudi’ outside their homes as a symbol of good health and prosperity.
Then in the southern states, people celebrate it as Ugadi, with the first day of Navratri.
And in Bengal and Odisha, Goddess Puja is common.
Chaitra Navratri ritual
Like any other festival and adherence, Chaitra Navratri also comes with a set of rituals and practices that are common across the country.
The beginning of any Navratri, Chaitra or Sharda comes with Ghatasthapana, or Kalash Stopana, where a coconut and some leaves are placed above a pot. The urn is usually of an earthen pot or copper and is filled with water, mango leaves and a coconut at the top. It is then placed in the temple of the house near the idol or image of Durga.
Nine -day fast
Many devotees inspect the nine -day fast, only fruits, milk and specific foods such as Sabadana, Kuttu flour, and lioneus. Some also keep a nirjala fast, where they do not consume any water or food for the then 9 days, after their evening prayer or on the 10th day directly.
Worship of Maa Durga
As the Navratri is dedicated to a certain avatar of Maa Durga every day, people have an image of Navdurga in their home temples.
The first day is for Maa Shailaputri, the second day for Maa Brahmacharini, the third day for Mala Chandraghant, the fourth day for Maa Kushmanda, the fifth day for Maa Skandamata, the sixth day for Mala Katyani, the seventh day for Mama Kali, Ejet Day, The Ejet Day, The Ejet Day Dadry Day.
Another general ritual in North India is Virgo Puja, where younger girls, or Kanjak are called to homes and are fed with offerings after small puja. Some people worship Virgo on Ashtami on the eighth day, and others do it on Navami, ninth and last day.
They are offered more in the form of Puri, Chola, Halwa, Coconut, and Prasad, and some fruits are also given to eat, and money is also given.
