Chaitra Navratri 2010 – Chait Navratras 2010 Chaitra Navaratri

Chaitra Navratri, also popular as Chait Navratras, is the nine-day festival observed in Chaitra month. Navratri 2010 dates during Chaitra month are – from March 16 to March 24. Chaitra Navratras starts on the first day in Chaitra month and ends on Sri Rama Navami, the ninth day of the month. The first of 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. Chaitra 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, Chaitra 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 Ashwin month. Since then, Ashwin Navratri has become the main festive season to worship the Goddess.

Chaitra 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 Navratras. Sri Ram Navratri ends on Ram Navami festival.

Vasant Durga Puja – Basanti Pooja during Chaitra Navratri

goddess-durga-deviMata 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

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