Chaitra Durgashtami is observed on eighth day or Astami day during Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri in Chaitra month. Chaitra Durgashtami is also celebrated as Bhavani Ashtami or Bhavani Jayanthi and Ashokastami in various places in India. Chaitra Durgashtami 2010 date is March 23. In 2010, it is very auspicious as it comes on Tuesday which is favorite day to Goddess Durga or Shakti. Other major Durgashtami observed is – Ashwin Navratri Durgashtami Puja.
There are no particular rituals associated with Chaitra Durgashtami but some devotees observe fasting and worship the Goddess with various pujas. Some perform three-day Puja during Saptami, Ashtami and Navami days in Chaitra Navratri.
Vasant Navratri, also known as Chaitra Navratri, is one of the two biggest celebrations in Vindhyachal Vanavasini Devi Shaktipeeth temple near Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. In 2010, it is even more significant and auspicious as it falls during Kumbh Mela period. Vindhyachal Vanavasini temple is located on the banks of the holy river Ganga. In 2010, Vasant Navratri begins on March 16 and ends on March 24. Puja begins from midnight with Kalash Sthapana.
Other major festivals celebrated in Vindhyavasini temple are – Ashwin Navratri (October) and Kajali Utsav in Jyestha month (June-July).
Image Source – Official website of Vindhyachal Vanavasini Devi Temple near Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
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.
Vasant Navratri or Basant Navratri, also popular as Chaitra Navratras, is the nine-day festival observed in Chaitra month. Vasant Navratri 2010 dates are – from March 16 to March 24. Vasant Navratras starts on the first day in Chaitra month and ends on Sri Rama Navami, the ninth day of the month. The first day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month is celebrated as Ugadi or Yugadi. This is the Hindu New Year day as per the calendars of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra (Gudi Padwa). Basant Navratri is very popular festive season in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc.
As per the legends mentioned in the Puranas and other Hindu scriptures, Vasant Navratri is the actual Navratri during which Goddess Durga was worshipped. But during the time of Ramayan war, Lord Sri Ram worshipped Durga at the time of Ashwayuja month. Since then, Ashwin Navratri or Saran Navratri has become the main festive season to worship the Goddess.
Vasant Navratri marks the beginning of Vasant rithu (spring season) hence it is also known Spring Navratri. It is also referred to as Sri Rama Navratras. Sri Ram Navratri ends on Ram Navami festival.
Durga Puja is one of the most celebrated festivals in Bengal. Durga Pooja starts with Mahalaya, the first phase of the waxing moon in Aashin maas (Ashwin month). Mahashashti, also known as Durga Puja shashti, is the inauguration day of Durga Puja in Bengal. Here is Durga Puja 2010 calendar or dates or schedule in Bengal:
- Mahalaya Durga Puja – 7 October, 2010 (Mahalaya Amavasya)
- Maha Sasthi Durga Puja – 13 October 2010
- Maha Saptami Durga Puja – 14 October 2010
- Mahashtami Durga Puja – 15 October 2010 (Durgashtami Puja)
- Navami Durga Puja – 16 October 2010 (Mahanabami or Durga Navami)
- Vijaya Dasami Durga Puja – 17 October 2010 (Bijoya Dashami)
The main Durga Pooja starts on Maha Saptami. Mahanavami marks the conclusion of Durga Puja. Durga Puja is performed for three days – Durga Shasthi, Mahashtami and Maha Navami.
