Indians celebrate the Hindu tradition of Navratri lasts nine nights on the Indian subcontinent in the autumn. Traditionally, there are four seasonal Navratri. People celebrate the renowned Sharada or Shardiya Navratri in remembrance of the Divine Feminine Devi and after the monsoon season. The two most frequently observed muhurtas during Shardiya Navratri are Ghatasthapana Muhurta and Sandhi Puja Muhurta. Chaitra Navratri 2023 is significant because Hindus perform the customs and rites of Ghatasthapana and Sandhi Puja, during Shardiya Navratri.
It represents protection, love, prosperity and knowledge. Unlimited and vibrant love, compassion and mercy are regarded as the divine attributes of Mother Goddess. She is known as Durga and worshipped in different forms.
The Navratri puja, also known as Vasanta Navratri, honors the sacred feminine Devi (Durga). Devotees honor Divine Durga in her nine forms during the Navratri celebration. This Navratri takes its name from the Sanskrit word vasanta, which signifies spring. It occurs during the Chaitra lunar month (March–April, post-winter). The event occurs in some regions after the spring season and others after the harvest. It is also the first day of the Hindu calendar, making it the Hindu New Year, according to the Vikram Samvat calendar.
Chaitra Navratri 2023: Navratri days & pujas to perform
Hindus celebrate the event with the help of customary practices like mantra chanting, lighting Diyas or tiny lamps, and praying to the Goddess. For Sharadiya and Chaitra Navratri, the Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhan is the same. Devotees participate in religious rituals such as pujas and fasts. Hindus consider Chaitra Navratri to be a significant event because people see it to be an ideal time to enlist the Goddess’s graces and advance one’s material and spiritual well-being. Let’s observe the important dates and days of Chaitra Navratri 2023:
| Navratri dates in 2023 | Navaratri Day | Puja |
| 22 March 2023, Wednesday | Pratipada | Maa Shailputri puja |
| 23 March 2023, Thursday | Dvitiya | Maa Brahmacharini puja |
| 24 March 2023, Friday | Tritiya | Maa Chandraghanta puja |
| 25 March 2023, Saturday | Chaturthi | Maa Kushmanda puja |
| 26 March 2023, Sunday | Panchami | Maa Skandamata puja |
| 27 March 2023, Monday | Shashti | Maa Katyayani puja |
| 28 March 2023, Tuesday | Saptami | Maa Kalaratri puja |
| 29 March 2023, Wednesday | Ashtami | Maa Mahagauri puja |
| 30 March 2023, Thursday | Navami | Maa Siddhidatri puja |
| 31 March 2023, Friday | Dashami | Navratri Paran |
Significance of Chaitra Navratri
Devotees regard the Hindu deity Goddess Durga as the ultimate feminine form and commemorate it during Chaitra Navratri. She is Shakti, the most potent feminine energy in the cosmos. Because of this, this day holds great significance for Hindu worshippers. The Navratri Puja brings great wealth and luck. However, individuals who seek the blessings of Goddess Durga must strictly adhere to a few of her rules. For instance, strict fasting without the consumption of grains, cleanliness, Aarti, and the ritualistic Ghatsthapana.
In accordance with the Ramayana, Lord Rama offered devotion to Devi Durga during the Chaitra month. People believe that the benefits of this worship helped him defeat Ravana in the conflict. Because of this, people grandly observe Chaitra Navratri throughout India, particularly in the northern regions of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. While the celebration starts with Ugadi in southern areas like Andhra Pradesh, it begins with Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra.
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