Chaitra Navratri Celebrations & Significance

Chaitra Navratri 2024/ Vasant Navratri 2024

Gudi Padwa 2024/ Chaitra Navratri 2024/ Vasant Navratri

Gudi Padwa is a festival that is mainly celebrated by Maharashtrians on the first day of Chaitra month. This day is having great importance for Hindus as it signifies the commencement of lunisolar New Year. The meaning of word Gudi is flag or emblem of Hindu lord Brahma and Padwa means first day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. By Maharashtrian community this day is celebrated by decorating their homes with flowers, making colourful rangoli and most importantly erecting a beautiful Gudi outside their homes with conducting their related rituals to bring a good health, prosperity, happiness and success throughout the year.

Other than Gudi Padwa it is also named as Cheti Chand and Yugadi. Cheti Chand is celebrated by Sindhi Hindus as the birthday of their Patron Saint Jhulelal while Yugadi or Ugadi is celebrated by the people of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh which also means a new beginning.

As per Hindu religious belief the work of formation, sustainance and distruction are of three different categories and are performed by Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh respectively. These Gods are combinedly called as ‘Trimurti’. For performing these works there is the requirement of huge energy which is available in the form of divine feminine power called as Shakti characterized by three Goddesses Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali.

According to modern science also the earth’s ecosystem is governed by the energy received by Sun. The entire cycle of birth, growth or nourishment and death continues by this energy on the earth. This signifies that for maintaining this cycle properly the energy plays a very important role.

There are Five Navratries in a year which are namely Chaitra Navratri, Ashadha Navratri, Sharad Navratri, Pausha and Megha Navratri. This period is significant for worshipping Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Kali. Out of nine days first three days are reserved for worshipping Durga (Kali), the next three days are for worshipping Maha Lakshmi and the last three days are for worshipping Maha Saraswati.  

The Chaitra Navratri also called as Vasant Navratri is dedicated to nine forms of Shakti. The first day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Gudi Padwa. During this Navratri along with Maa Durga, Lord Ram and Hanuman are also worshipped as Lord Ram took birth on the ninth day of this Navratri.

Day	Tithi	Goddess Name	Details	Suitable Colors to wear on each day
First Day	Pratipada	Shailputri	Synonym for Parvati, Daughter of Himalaya. She has followed  an ascetic discipline to fulfil her oath to marry Lord Shiva that is the reason she is worshipped for gaining  such determination for achieving success.	Bright red, Dark red, Maroon, Pink
Second Day	Dwitiya	Brahmacharini	She was created by Brahma for sustenance of this world. She is worshipped for knowledge and wisdom. She wears Rudraksha and live as a Brahmacharini	Royal Blue, Navy blue, Sky blue, Teal
Third Day	Tritiya	Chandraghanta	Alike moon she emits cool halo and teaches the importance of gentle behavior along with soft and sweet speech. In this way she is worshipped for protecting from evil and controlling anger.	Bright yellow, Golden yellow, Mustard, Lemon yellow
Fourth Day	Chaturthi	Kushmanda	As the name, the Goddess is worshipped in pindi form. The Goddess is having eight arms and comes on tiger. She saves her devotees from any trouble.	Olive green, forest green, Lime green
Fifth Day	Panchmi	Skandamata	She has power to transform ignorant into knowledgeable. Kalidas is blessed by her for creating Meghadoot and Raghuvansha.	Light grey, Charcoal grey, Silver, Slate grey
Sixth Day	Shashti	Katyayani	She has done penance in Katyayan Rishi’s Ashram. She is worshipped for gaining more knowledge.	Bright orange, Burnt orange, Peach, Coral
Seventh Day	Saptami	Kalratri	She is responsible for bringing light by destroying darkness. She is worshipped for becoming fearless by getting protection against enemies.	Pure White, Cream, Pearl
Eight Day	Ashtami	Mahagauri	Mahagauri is the name of Parvati who is mother of Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya.	Baby pink, Dark pink, Lavender, Mauve
Ninth Day	Navami	Siddhidatri	Siddhidatri is worshipped for getting desired boon	Sky blue, Periwinkle, Indigo

Stuti Mantras for nine form of Durga

Day 1- Shailputri

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Shailputri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 2- Brahmacharini

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 3- Chandraghanta

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ चंद्रघंटा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 4- Kushmanda

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 5- Skandamata

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 6- Katyayani

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Katyayani Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 7- Kalratri

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalratri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 8- Mahagauri

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

Day 9- Siddhidatri

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्रीरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah॥

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