Chaitra Navratri 2021 Rituals and Significance of All Nine Days

Chaitra Navratri is the first month of the year in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated for nine days. Each day of Chaitra Navratri is meant to worship different forms of Goddess Durga. It begins with the worship of Maa Shailaputri on the first day, followed by eight forms of Maa Durga - Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidhatri.

Chaitra Navratri Celebrations

Some devotees light a ghee lamp to reduce negative energy around them, and others sow the first crop of barley as it is the spring season.

Food items like bananas, jaggery, kheer, and coconut are offered as ‘bhog’ to the Goddess during the nine days of Navratri.

It is also the custom to wear nine different colors during the nine different days of Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri 2020 Significance

• Maa Shailaputri (Day 1)

Maa Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountains, is worshipped on the first day. It is believed that she controls the moon. Therefore, by worshipping her, it is believed that one will be protected from the negative effects of the moon.

• Maa Brahmacharini (Day 2)

Maa Brahmacharini is revered on the second day. It is believed that she did penance for 5,000 years. She has a rosary in one hand and a water utensil in the other. People worship her as she signifies wisdom, love, and knowledge.

• Maa Chandraghanta (Day 3)

Maa Chandraghanta is honored on the third day. She destroys evil powers, negative energies and removes sins. So, people worship her on the third day of Navratri to overcome negativity. Milk and kheer are offered to the Goddess during worship.

• Maa Kushmanda (Day 4)

Maa Kushmanda is honored on the fourth day. She signifies warmth and energy. People worship her to gain good health and also get wealth and power.

• Maa Skandamata (Day 5)

Maa Skandamata is revered on the fifth day. Her name means 'War God'. It is also seen that people worship her for power, prosperity, and salvation.

• Maa Katyayani (Day 6)

Maa Katyayani is considered to be a Warrior Goddess. Supposedly, Sita and Rukmani worshipped her for getting a good husband. So people worship her on the sixth day for a happy marital life and or protection from all the troubles.

• Maa Kaalratri (Day 7)

Maa Kaalratri is the most fierce form of Durga. This form is considered the destroyer of all the negative forces, and devotees invoke her blessings for gaining protection from evil spirits and negativity.

• Maa Mahagauri (Day 8)

Maa Mahagauri is honored on the eighth day, and devotees believe that she fulfills our wants and desires.

• Maa Siddhidhatri (Day 9)

Maa Siddhidatri is the Goddess' ninth form. Her name indicates that she bestows supernatural power or meditative abilities. 'Siddhi' means supernatural power or meditative ability, and 'dhatri' means one who gives.

Chaitra Navratri represents the victory of good over evil. Supposedly, worshipping Goddess Durga gives us inner strength shakti (power). It also brings salvation and wish-fulfillment.

Chaitra Navratri heralds the beginning of the new season when flowers bloom and fruits appear on trees.Chaitra Navratri 2021 or Vasant Navratri 2021 is from April 13 – 22.