Vasanta Navaratri, also known as Chaitra Navaratri, will begin on Chaitra Pratipada and end on Chaitra Shukla Navami or Dashami day. In Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple, the festivities start on Ugadi and continued till Chiatra Pournami day. In 2010, Vasanta Navaratri begins on 16th March, and ends on March 24, 2010.
Goddess Kanaka Durga is adorned in nine different alankarams same as Sharan Navaratri in Ashwayuja masam (October – November). The first day of Navaratri marks the Telugu New Year Day Ugadi. Special sevas and vishesha pujas are performed during Navaratri days. Lakhs of devotees visit the temple and worship the Goddess for the best in Vikruti year.
Vasanta Navaratri, the second largest celebrations dedicated to Goddess Shakti, are celebrated from Chaitra Shukla Padyami to Chaitra Shukla Navami. Chennai Pratyankira Devi Temple attracts thousands of devotees during the festival. Vasanta Navaratri is celebrated with utmost pomp and gaiety in the temple located in Om Sri Skandasramam. In 2010, Vasantha Navaratri begins on March 16 and ends on March 24.
During all the days of Vasanta Navaratri Pratyankira Devi is worshipped with Sri Prathyankira Devi Mula Mantra Mangala Chandi Vasanta Mahayagnam. In the morning times special abishekam and special alankaram are performed everyday.
Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri is celebrated with utmost pomp and gaiety in Kashmir by Kashmiri Pandits. In 2010, Chaitra Navratri begins on March 16 and ends on March 24th. The first day of Navratri is called Navreh and it marks the beginning of the Kashmiri Hindu New Year and heralds the onset of the spring season.
The two prominent Shakti Peethas in Kashmir – Goddess Kheer Bhavani Temple and Vaishno Devi Temple – host Navratri celebration in a grand manner. Devottes observe fast for nine days and break their fast on the last day of Navratri after visiting the temples.
At various temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti, big havans are performed. At Durga Nag near Shankaracharya hill and Baramulla Shailputri Devi Mandir, Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with utmost gaiety. A large number of devotees throng the temples to participate and thus get the blessings of the Goddess.
Goddess Durga is worshipped in a great manner in Srinagar Hari Parbat fort and Jammu Bahu fort. In some places, Dash Mahavidya and Ashtamatrika Goddess are worshipped during Chaitra Navaratras.
This article is based on a comment posted by Hira K Baju
Vasant Navratri or Vasanta Navaratri are the nine festive days dedicated to Goddess Shakti celebrated in spring season or Vasanth rithu. This Navratri is also known as Chaitra Navratri as it is celebrated during the Chaitra month. Some may get doubt that why celebrate Vasant Navaratri as we celebrate Durga Maha Navratri during Ashwin month in a grand scale. Shri Devi Bhagavatham has the reference of significance and spiritual importance of Vasanta Navaratri utsav.
As per the Hinduism and many ancient Hindu scriptures, Vasant Navratri are the main festive days to worship Goddess Shakti. Lord Sri Rama worshipped for nine days during Ashwin month when he was fighting a war against Ravana. Rama demolished him with Goddess’ grace and since then Ashwin Navratri has become the main Navratri festival. But before Lord Shri Ram, King Sudarsana (Sri Rama’s predecessor) performed Vasanta Navratri puja and attained Shakti’s eternal blessings to keep his kingdom and his people always in peace and happiness.
In 2010, Vasant Navratri is celebrated from March 16 to March 24th, 2010. This Navratri is also known as Sri Rama Navaratri utsavam.
Basanti Puja or Basant Navratri Durga Pooja is observed during Basant Navratri mainly in Bengal. Basant Navratri is the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and in Bengal it is observed for last 3 days of Navratri. Basanti Puja 2010 date is March 22, 2010. In some areas, this festival is celebrated for 3-4 days, starting on Chaitra Shukla Saptami and ends on Chaitra Shukla Navami i.e. Ram Navami.
During Basanti Puja, some rituals are performed same as that of Durga Puja. Kalash Sthapana, Kumari Puja, Suhasini Pooja, etc are also observed during the festival. But it is not much significant as Durga Puja.
