Vasant Navratras or Chaitra Navratri, also called as Sri Ram Navratri, is dedicated to Goddess Durga Devi, Maha Lakshmi Devi and Maa Saraswati Devi. The celebrations of nine nights in Hinduism are considered as very significant and spiritually important. Vasant Navratras or Ram Navratri is also referred as Chaitra Navratras ( occurs in Chaitra maas) or Spring Navratri (falls in Spring season) or Basant Navratri. Vasant Navratri got the name of Ram Navratri also because it coincides with Sri Rama Navami festival.
When is Vasant Navratri or Ram Navratri Observed?
Vasant Navratras is observed in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March – April). According to Puranas, Goddess Durga Devi was worshipped (Durga Puja) in the Chaitra month and was also called as Basanti Puja. The period of Durga Puja was changed by Lord Sri Ram.
At the beginning of the war with demon Ravana, Lord Sri Ram wanted to be blessed by Goddess Durga. Hence, he worshipped Goddess Durga during the Hindu month of Ashwin or Aswayuja (October – November). Therefore the Durga Puja during the period ( referred as Dura Puja in present days) is referred as Akal Bodhon or untimely invocation.
In 2010, Ram Navaratri (Vasant Navratri) begins on 16th March, 2010, and ends on March 24, 2010.
Vasant Navaratri Celebrations:
Vasanta Navratri is observed with utmost fervor in North India, significantly in Jammu Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and in Utter Pradesh. Temples of Durga Devi are decorated in almost all places in India. During Vasanta Navaratri the same rituals are performed as Durga Navaratri.
Kanya Puja – A Ritual During Vasant Navratri:
Kanya Puja, worshipping little and young girls, is a traditional ritual during Vasant Navratri. It is believed that the little girls represent the Mother Goddess, Durga Mata. Kanya Pooja, aslo known as Kanjak Pooja, usually observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the celebrations.
Ashokastami 2010 – Ashokashtami during Basant Navratri
Rama Navami 2010 – Sri Ram Navami or Sri Rama Jayanti
Ashokashtami – Ashok Astami during Chaitra Navratri at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar
Vijaya Ekadasi 2010 - Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat in 2010
Vasant Durga Puja - Basanti Pooja during Chaitra Navratri
[...] Basanti Puja, or Vasant Durga Puja, is observed during the Chaitra Navratri festival. According to the ancient Hindu scriptures and sacred texts, worship of Goddess Durga or [...]
[...] Bhadrakali Temple, the main festivities are – Vasantotsavam or Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masam, Shakambari Navaratri in Ashada masam, Maha Sharan Navaratri or Durga Devi Navratri in Ashwayuja [...]
[...] scriptures mentioned that the original Durga Navratri should be celebrated during the month of Chaitra as Vasant Navratri. var addthis_pub = ‘navvis’; var addthis_language = ‘en’;var addthis_options = ‘email, favorites, [...]
[...] which is observed in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja (Ashwin). All four Navratras (Ashwin Navratri, Vasant Navratra, Ashad Navratri and Magh Navratra) are dedicated to the Mother Goddess Shakti. During every [...]
[...] Navratri is not much popular festive season dedicated to Goddess Durga. The famous Navratri are – Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Gupt Navratri are Magh Navratras and Ashada Navaratras. var addthis_pub = [...]
[...] Navratri is also called as Vasant Navratri or Basant Navratri. This festival marks the beginning of Vasant ruthu (spring season). It is also called as Sri Rama [...]
[...] Navratri or Chaitra Navaratri begins on Ugadi festival. Sri Ram Navami Navratras also start on Ugadi or Gudi Padwa. The ninth day after Ugadi, Ram Navami is celebrated. This day [...]
[...] Navratri or Vasant Navratri – March 16, 2010 to March 24, [...]