Chaitra Navratri

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Goddess Durga is worshipped in her various forms during Chaitra Navratri. This festival is also known as Navratri or Navadurga. The worshippers believe that during these nine nights, the goddess manifests herself in different forms, each representing different aspects of divine feminine strenght. The forms include Shaila Putri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Each day of the festival is dedicated to a specific form of the goddess. The devotees perform various rituals and prayers during these nine nights. The last of the festival, the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, is Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama.  

Importance of the nine days of Chaitra Navratri: 

The nine avatars of Goddess Durga are celebrated during Chaitra Navratri and each day has its meaning and an associated auspicious colour. Devotees often wear clothes as per the associated auspicious colours during the festival. Moreover, each of the forms of the divine Goddess has a flower associated with it. Devotees also offer the associated flower to the deity during the festival. This is what makes the colorful spring season so fascinating and divine. 

Day 1: This day is dedicated to Devi Shailputri. As per scriptures, Devi Parvati is the daughter of Himalaya, the King of the Mountains. She is the divine consciousness that surges at the top of the Himalayan Mountain. We also pray that we may reach the Supreme State of Consciousness. The devotees wear yellow on this day. Yellow is a symbol of happiness, joy and nature. Hibiscus is a special flower that is associated with the deity and offered on this day. 

Day 2: Brahmacharini is the second form of the Goddess Durga, and she is worshiped on the second day of Navratri. The name "Brahmacharini" is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Brahma," which means divine consciousness, and "acharan," which means behaviour. The term can be translated to represent a female seeker of the divine consciousness. This day is dedicated to the manifestation of Devi Parvati, in which she performed a rigorous penance to receive Lord Shiva as her consort. She wishes her devotees a long, serene and pure life, especially those who are struggling in marital life. The devotees wear green, and the special flowers are called Chrysanthemums.  

Day 3: This day is dedicated to Devi Chandragatha. This form of Godess Durga has a half-moon on her head. This form of Goddess Parvati is at the time of her marriage with Lord Shiva. The word “Chandra” indicates moon, and “ghanta” indicates a bell. The moon symbolises our mind, which is constantly shifting from one thought to the next. The idea is that when we connect with Mother Divine, the energy of our inner life force stabilises, leading to peace and harmony. The devotees wear Grey and offer lotus flowers on this day. 

Day 4: This day is dedicated to Devi Kushmanda. The meaning of word “Ku” is very small, “Ushma” means the energy and “Anda” means the egg. The entire universe which is born from the cosmic egg is born from the power of Devi. When we pray to her, we also get the divine energy of her intellect, strength and power. The devotees wear orange, which symbolises brightness, happiness & energy. The flower associated with it is Jasmine. 

Day 5: This day is dedicated to Devi Skandamata. This form of Goddess Parvati symbolises motherly affection. This form of Devi is believed to bring with it a lot of wisdom, prosperity, power, and liberation. On this day, white colour is worn and yellow flowers or fruits are offered such as yellow rose and banana as bhog. 

Day 6: This day is dedicated to Devi Katyayani. This form of Goddess Parvati slayed the demon named “Mahishasura”. Devi Katyayani was born out of wrath of gods. She is the wrath that arises in creation to restore balance. She symbolises putting an end to all our inner conflicts that are obstacles on the path of spiritual evolution. The worshippers wear red on this day. It symbolises the anger of the goddess towards the enemies. The flower associated with it is a marigold. 

Day 7: This day is dedicated to Kalaratri.  Mother Nature has two sides. One side is scary and destructive. The other side is beautiful and peaceful. Devika Kaliaratri is the wild side of Devi. Kaliaratri symbolizes the infinite dark power that houses countless universes. The night is also considered a part of Mother Divine. It is the night that brings peace, tranquillity, and tranquillity to the soul. We pray to her to make us fearless and to make us live a stress-free life. Devices wear dark blue. The immense dark power of Kaliaratri is represented by the dark blue of the devotees. The flower associated with Kaliaratri is known as a ‘Passiflora’ or a ‘Krishna Kamal’. 

Day 8: This day is dedicated to Devi Mahagauri. Devi Mahagauri symbolises the beauty and serenity of Nature. This form of Goddess Durga was created when Lord Shiva was delighted with her sacrifice and appeared before her. In this scene, Lord Shiva is seen pouring Ganga Jal over Goddess Durga and her skin turns milky-white. She is the energy that drives our life and also sets us free. The devotees wear pink which symbolizes hope and self-improvement. The related flower is Mogra.  

Day 9: This day is dedicated to Devi Siddhidatri. Siddhi is the epitome of perfection. It brings out the best in us. It gives us divine wisdom, energy, power and wisdom. The devotees wear purple, which symbolizes aspiration and power. The flower to offer is Champa, which symbolizes the power of the divine.

How is Chaitra Navratri Celebrated? 

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with great devotion. Moreover, it also marks the beginning of new year for various sects of Hindu society.  

1. Ghatsthapana: At the beginning of the festival, a sacred pot (Ghat)  is installed in the house. The pot is filled with water, and barley seeds are sown, signifying the germination of life. This ritual is known as Ghatsthapana. This ritual symbolises the presence of divinity in the house.  
2. Vrat of Fasting: Many worshippers observe fasts during Chaitra Navratri. Some may abstain from certain foods, while others opt for a complete fast. This ritual is seen as a form of purification and devotion. 

1. Daily Puja and Aarti: Devotees, wholeheartedly. perform daily pujas, aartis, and offerings dedicated to Goddess Durga.  
2. Ram Navami: On the last day of Chaitra Navratri, the birth of Lord Rama, Ram Navami, is celebrated. On this day, devotees offer special prayers and bhog to the deity. Read scriptures from the Ramayana and participate in processions and other religious events. 
3. Kanjak or Kanya Pujan: On the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, nine young girls, symbolising the nine forms of Goddess Durga, are invited for bhog. Devotees offer them food, clothes, and gifts as a gesture of respect and devotion. 

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