Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April. It is also known as Vasant Navratri, as it falls during the spring season. Navratri means “nine nights” in Sanskrit, and during these nine days, Hindus worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Chaitra Navratri is a significant festival for Hindus, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion all over India. During these nine days, devotees fast and perform special rituals to honor the Goddess Durga. They also decorate their homes and temples with flowers and light lamps to mark the occasion.

Chaitra Navratri is a time for spiritual reflection, purification, and renewal. It is a time to seek blessings from the Goddess and to pray for good health, wealth, and prosperity.

Chaitra Navratri 2023 starts from 23rd March to 30th March 2023.

How to Perform Puja during Chaitra Navratri .

Here are the general steps to perform the Navratri puja during Chaitra Navratri:

• Clean your home and decorate your puja room with flowers and lights.
• Place an idol, Durga Yantra, 9 Mukhi rudraksha, or an image of Goddess Durga in your puja room, along with the other deities you wish to worship.
• Kalash Sthapana: On the first day of Navratri, install a Kalash (a pot) with water, some rice, and a few coins. Place mango leaves on the top of the pot, and tie a sacred thread around its neck. This is called Kalash Sthapana and is considered an auspicious start to the festival.
• Light a Diya (lamp) and incense sticks. Begin the puja by chanting the mantras and slokas dedicated to the Goddess. You can also play devotional music in the background.
• Offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and other Bhog (food offerings) to the Goddess.
• Perform aarti (a ritual of waving lighted lamps in front of the deity).
• Offer prasad (blessed food) to your family and friends after the puja.

Additionally, during Chaitra Navratri, some people observe fasts and eat only specific foods. You may also perform specific rituals and follow different customs depending on your region and tradition. It is always recommended to consult a priest or a knowledgeable person before performing any religious ritual.