Mata 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 Durga Pooja was significantly performed during the Vasant rithu (Basant rithu) or Spring Season.
It is believed that Lord Shri Rama changed the periof of Durga Devi Puja (Durga Navratri). During the time of Ram – Ravan Yudh (the war between Lord Ram and the demon Ravana), Rama was unable to stop Ravana and wanted to seek blessings of Goddess Durga Mata. To demolish Ravana, Lord Sri Rama invoked Goddess Durga Mata during the Hindu month Ashwayuja or Ashwin (period between September or October and November).
When is Basanti Mata Puja or Vasant Durga Pooja observed?
Goddess Basanti Mata Pooja is observed during the last four days of Vasant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri festival. In 2009, the celebrations of Goddess Basanti Mata Puja or Vasant Durga Puja will start on April 1, Wednesday and will conclude on April 3, Friday, Sri Rama Navami.
Rituals and Customs of Vasant Durga Pooja – Traditions during Basanti Pooja:
Vasant Durga Puja or Basanti Mata Puja is Chaitra Navratri is not considered as a major festival as Durga Navratri that is celebrated in Ashwayuja or Ashwin month. Hence, all the ritual, customs and traditions that are observed during the Ashwayuja Durga Navratri are may not be performed during the Basanti Mata Puja.
Some traditional rituals are similar as Ashwin month’s Durga Navratri such as observance of fast, procedure of Goddess’s worship (Durga Puja procedure), Ghatsthapana or Kalasha Sthapana (installation of sacred pot) and Kanya Puja (Kumari Puja) – worship of young girl.
Hindu Myhtology describes the observance of Durga Navratri in Ashwin month as Akal Bodhan or untimely invocation of Goddess Durga, as Lord Sri Rama worshipped the Goddess in untraditional Hindu month of Ashwayuja masam.
Other Important Festivals in Chaitra month – Auspicious Days of Chaitra Masam
Significance and Observance of Chaitra Navratri or Basant Navratri
Ashok Ashtami or Ashokastami is one of the important festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, the Mother Goddess. In 2010, Ashokashtami date is March 23. Ashokashtami is celebrated in Eastern Indian states, mainly in Orissa and West Bengal. Ashoka means the one who removes and protects from hurdles, obstacles and sorrow. Ashokashtami is also known as Bhavani Ashtami. On the day of Chaitra Shukla Astami, Goddess Bhavani is worshipped as one of the Goddess of Durga Navratri (Chaitra or Vasant Durga Navratri)
When is Ashokashtami Celebrated?
Ashokashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the first half of the Chaitra month (Chaitra Shukla Astami), which falls between March and April. In 2010, Ashokashtami is observed on March 23.
Legend and Story of Ashok Ashtami:
According to the Hindu sacred texts and puranas, Lord Sri Ram performed the Ashok Astami Puja in order to slay demon Ravana. The myth says that Lord Sri Ram was unable to demolish Ravanasura as he was being saved by the Mother Goddess, Goddess Shakti. Ashokastami is the day when Lord Sri Ramachandra got rid of sorrow by the blessings of Lord Shiva and the Mother Goddess, Shakti.
Vibhishana, one of the brothers of Ravana, devotee of Lord Sri Ram, advised Lord Sri Ram to observe the rituals dedicated to the Mother Goddess and Lord Shiva for seven consecutive days. Lord Sri Ram did as Vibhishana told and blessed with the Goddess Shakti’s divine energy. He demolished Ravana on the eighth day.
Chaitra month or Chait mahina or Chaitra masam is the first month as per Hindu Calendar followed in many regions of India. It is believed that Chaitra masa Padyami or the first day of Chait mahina is the first day of this universe. Lord Brahma has created the universe on this day which is celebrated as Ugadi or Gudi Padwa or Cheti Chand.
“Chaitramasi jagadbrahma sasarju prathamehaani
Shukla paksha samagranthu thadaa suryodaye sathi
Pravarthayaa maasa thatha kaalasya gananaamapi
Grahannaagaa nruthoonmaa saaswathsaraa nwathsaraadhipaan”
According to this Sloka of ‘Chaturvarga Chintamani’, Lord Brahma created the universe on the first day of Shukla paksha in the Hindu month Chaitra masa. He also gradually included planets, stars, ruthu (seasons) and rains. Chaitra month is considered as very auspicious masam in which the creation of the universe has started.
In Chaitra month, the fifteen days in Shukla paksha (first fortnight / first half of the month) are dedicated to fifteen gods or deities. Each day of Chaitra month is dedicated to each God. People worship a God on each day.
The Gods to worship on each day in Chaitra month:
- Chaitra Prathami / Padyami – Lord Brahma
- Chaitra Dwithiya/ Vidiya – Goddess Uma, Lord Shiva, Agni (God of fire)
- Chaitra Thrithiya/ Thadiya – Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva
- Chaitra Chavithi/ Chaturthi – Lord Ganesh
- Chaitra Panchami – Lord Nagendra
- Chaitra Sashti – Lord Karthikeya (Skanda/ Kumara Swamy/ Lord Muruga)
- Chaitra Sapthami – Sun God (Surya Deva)
- Chaitra Astami – Mathru Devatas (Parents)
- Chaitra Navami – Goddess Mahishasura Mardhini
- Chaitra Dashami – DharmaRaju (Yudhistira)
- Chaitra Ekadashi – Maharshis
- Chaitra Dwadashi – Lord Sri Maha Vishnu
- Chaitra Trayodashi – Lord Kama Deva (God of Love)
- Chaitra Chaturdasi – Lord Shiva
- Chaitra Purnima – Lord Indra and his consort Shachi Devi
Worshipping above mentioned Gods on each day of Chaitra month brings the blessings of every God and removes sins of devotees. The devotees who perform the poojas and rituals of Chaitra masam will be blessed with a good health and wealth.
