Chaitra Navaratri
Navratri’ meaning ‘nine nights’ is a significant Hindu festival, which is celebrated twice a year - ‘Chaitra’ or ‘Vasant Navratri’ (March-April), and ‘Sharad Navratri’ (October-November). Both the celebrations center on the worship of Goddess Shakti.
In Gujarat, Navratri festival celebrates the worship of Goddess Jagdamba, while in West Bengal, Durga Puja is the reason to rejoice. Though, every region in India celebrates this festival in its own way, Navratri Festival is dedicated to the 3 avatars of Goddess Shakti - Durga (the warrior Goddess), Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth), and Saraswati (the Goddess of knowledge).
Chaitra Navratri is noticed when Mother Nature goes through an important global warming. It also marks the beginning of summer season months. There is a popular perception that the going on a fast during Chaitra Navrati is to prepare the body for the coming summer season months.
Chaitra Navratri is more popular in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and in other areas of Northern Indian. Some of the most essential forehead festivals in the Shakti Wats or temples in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand take position during this interval.
Legend :-
The immemorial custom of goddess worship has been prevailing in India since ancient times. There are a number of beliefs and legends of Navratri festival which have been around for ages.
Legend says that when Mahishasura, the spiteful demon, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, acquired unbeatable powers of eternity, he started taking away innocent lives. In order to stop him from taking over all the three lokas, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh of the Hindu Trinity united their supreme powers and created a warrior goddess Durga who entered a war with Mahishasura. This war extended for nine days and on the tenth day she beheaded him. These nine nights signify the festival of Navratri.
As per Hindu mythology, Uma, daughter of King Daksha , married Lord Shiva against the will of her father. In order to take revenge, King Daksha arranged a yagna where he invited all the deities except Lord Shiva. The story goes that when Uma visited her parents to take part in the yagna, her father offended Lord Shiva. Unable to bear the insults meted on her husband, Uma jumped into the agnikund, which is why she is also known as Sati. In her rebirth, she married Lord Shiva and also made peace with her parents. It is said that Sati comes to stay with them for nine days, which is celebrated as Navratri.
It is also said that Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga in all her nine forms, for nine days, in order to gather all the powers required to vanquish Ravana the demon, and release his wife Sita from his clutches. Those nine days imply Navratri, and the tenth day when he killed Ravana, came to be known as Vijaydashmi and is celebrated as Dussehra.
The history of Navratri also takes us to the assumption which states that in prehistoric times, the Kshatriyas used to drive themselves out from participating in any warlike activities all through monsoon season. As soon as monsoons got over they would worship Devi for nine days and set off with their war activities. These nine days are today celebrated as Navratri.
Mythology behind the celebration of Chaitra Navaratri:-
While most people associate Navratri with nine days of fasting, it is important to know the significance of the festival. Navratri is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. According to legend, Prince Sudarsana of Kosala fled away with Manorama after the Manorama’s father was killed by King Yudhajit. Sudarsana was blessed with the grace of the Divine Mother following a chance incident. The prince Sudarsana had fled with Manorama as well as a Eunuch and was being sheltered by a Rishi. The son of a hermit who happened to be passing by the Ashram where Sudarsana had taken shelter, called the eunuch by his Sanskrit name Kleeba. The prince Sudarshana only caught on to the syllable Kli and instead pronounced it as Kleem. Kleem, incidentally, is a sacred Mantra. Repeated recitation of this mantra gave Prince Sudarsana peace of mind and the Divine Mother’s grace. The Goddess appeared in front of the prince Sudarsana and gave him divine weapons along with her blessing.
Goddess Durga also appeared in front of King Yudhajit, and instead of bowing to her, Yudhajit mocked her. As a result Yudhajit was turned to ashes by the Goddess. This made Prince Sudarsana, the then King of Kosala, to start worshipping the Devi in a grand ceremony every year. That tradition has been carried on to this day, when people worship the Divine Mother during Chaitra Navratri.
Maa Durga being worshipped during Chaitra Navaratri
The nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped on nine different days. People all over the country gather in huge numbers to worship Goddess Durga with ardent devotion. While most people relate Navratri with nine days of fasting, one can even find images of Goddess Durga decorated over beautifully decked pandals. Temples dedicated to Shakti conduct special ceremonies during Navratri, with followers of the Divine Mother taking part in special pujas. Devotees forget their differences and worship the Goddess. It is the time where devotion fills the air and also an occasion for some events, competitions, games and entertainment.
To know more about each Goddess signifying each separate day of Navaratri and her role, her blessings, please refer to these –
Navratri Day 1 – Maa Shailputri
Navratri Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini
Navratri Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta
Navratri Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda
Navratri Day 5 – Maa Skandamata
Navratri Day 6 – Maa Katyayani
Navratri Day 7 – Maa Kaalratri
Navratri Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri
Navratri Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri
Significance of Nine Days of Chaitra Navratri :-
Navaratri (Nava= 9 and Ratri= Night) is the nine day long festival to worship Goddess Durga in her nine incarnations. Each of the day in Navratri is dedicated to one of the forms of Goddess Durga.
◾Goddess DurgaFirst Navratri Day – dedicated to ‘Shailputri’, considered to be the daughter of the Himalayas. She is the form known as Goddess Shakti (Goddess of Energy)
◾Second Navratri Day – dedicated to ‘Brahmacharini,’ representing ‘Tapa’ or penance. She is also a form of Mata Shakti (Grand Energy).
◾Third Navratri Day – dedicated to the goddess ‘Chandraghanta’- she represents beauty and bravery form of the Goddess.
◾Fourth Navratri Day – dedicated to the goddess ‘Kushmandas’- Amba the mother of the entire Universe.
◾Fifth Navratri Day – dedicated to the Goddess ‘Skand Mata’– believed to be the mother of the chief warrior of the army of Gods- Skanda.
◾Sixth Navratri Day – dedicated to the goddess ‘Katyayani’ having three eyes and four hands.
◾Seventh Navratri Day – dedicated to the Goddess ‘Chandika’ – Chandi’ who makes all her devotees fearless.
◾Eighth Navratri Day – dedicated to ‘Parvati’- Maha Gauri who represents calmness and wisdom.
◾Ninth Navratri Day – dedicated to ‘Siddhidatri’– believed to be equipped with all the eight siddhis and worshiped by all the Rishis and Yogis (sages).
All the above incarnations of Goddess Shakti represent three different forms of womanhood – those of a child, young girl and a mature woman.
Procedure and vidhi vidhan of Navaratri Puja:-
Laghu Anushthana sadhana of Gayatri is recommended as most suitable for the Navaratri period. It consists of twenty-four thousand japa (repeated rhythmic chanting) of the Gayatri Mantra with meditation on the rising sun and adoption of certain self-control disciplines. Mental or upanshu japa of twenty-seven rosaries (malas) needs to be completed every day for this purpose. This can be done in about three hours' duration by the people who are used to daily practice of the japa of this mantra. Completion in one sitting in the early morning (by commencing the japa two hours before dawn) is the best. However, depending upon one's constraints, it could be completed in two to three sittings at convenient times. But the regularity of timings and place where the japa is carried out should be maintained. Ideal sitting posture is sukhasana with erect spinal column. One should not sit directly on the earth. Sitting on kusha mat or cotton cloth is most suitable.
Depending upon one's health and level of self-control, the fasting could be observed by consuming only milk or fruits once or twice a day; taking tasteless (without salt and sugar) food; or taking simple and light vegetarian food only once a day, etc. The other common disciplines include - austere life-style; sleeping on a mat on the floor or on plain wooden cot; attending to one's personal tasks by oneself; observing honesty and humility in conduct. The advanced devotees may also adopt some higher level disciplines that serve the dual purpose of cleansing and purification of the body and the mind and thorough practice of self-restraint.
Navratri is separated into places of three days to really like three different factors of the superior goddess or actresses. During Navratri, different types of Mom Goddess are worshipped. On the first three days Durga or Goddess of Power is worshipped. The next three days are dedicated to Lakshmi or Goddess of Prosperity and the last three days to Saraswati or Goddess of Information. On the fifth day, it is conventional to praise Saraswati to produce our soul and data.
On the 8th and 9th day, Yagna (sacrifice provided to the fire) is conducted to respect Durga Mata and bid her goodbye. The event of Navratri indicates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is conducted. Nine areas comprising the nine types of Goddess Durga are worshiped. In some areas a younger boy also comes with them who indicate Bhairav; he is regarded as guard against all evils. Quickly, it is noticed by enthusiasts during all the nine days of Navratri. Wishes are also provided for greater wellness and success. Navratri, besides being an interval of more self examination and filtration, is also regarded an excellent time for beginning new projects.
Chaitra Navratri Tantrik Anusthan:-
During these Chaitra or Ram navratri auspicious days, extensive prayer is offered to request earnestly Goddess Durga for blessings. In the period of Navratri consecrated chants of Durga Saptashati are done which is a part of Markandeya Purana. The mantras in the book narrate how Goddess Durga was empowered and provided with divine weapons by our Trinity of Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) to decimate Mahishasura and various other demons. Vamtantra conducts tantrik anusthan of Shri Durgasaptshati, Shrimad-devi Bhagwat, Devi Mahaatmya and other texts invoking Goddess Durga are cited by vamtantra during this period of nine days.
By keeping fasts, chanting shlokas and mantras, the devotees show their regard for the Goddess. It is believed that during Navratri, the Goddess promptly heeds to devotees and fulfill wishes. She is worshipped in the three forms of the divine femininity, as the remover of vices, as the bestower of wealth and prosperity and as the Goddess of wisdom.
Benefits of Chaitra- Vasant Navratri puja :-
When done unconditionally without any expectations, Chaitra Navratri vrat and puja can give the ultimate benefit of salvation upon the performers.
This vrat has the power to remove afflictions and fears and boost up the courage and confidence of individuals.
Scientifically, the Chaitra Navratri falls during the commencement of summer and therefore the vrat cleanses the system and prepares for the summer season.
Fasting Rules of Chaitra Navaratri :-
During the course of the nine days of the puja, the devotees must eat only Satvik food or those that are not spicy (ex. Garlic and onion). Some of the most popular choices for the special diet include potatoes, curd, milk and fruits. Non-vegetarian foods are strictly prohibited. The fast starts on the Pratipada day and lasts till the last day of the nine day puja. The fasting is concluded after partaking the Prasad. In a stricter form of vrat, the devotees eat only one meal a day over the nine days.
Chaitra Navratri Vrat Benefits
When done unconditionally without any expectations, Chaitra Navratri vrat and puja can give the ultimate benefit of salvation upon the performers.
This vrat has the power to remove afflictions and fears and boost up the courage and confidence of individuals.
Scientifically, the Chaitra Navratri falls during the commencement of summer and therefore the vrat cleanses the system and prepares for the summer season.
