Introduction To Chaitra Navratri :

The festival of Chaitra Navratri is highly mystical. All the nine days are filled with worship, fasting, meditation, and devotion. It holds a special position across all the festivals of India, and is called as Vasantha Navaratri, and also Ashadha Navaratri. The other special names of this festival are Sharad Navaratri, Magha Navaratri, and Magha Navaratri. This coincides with the month of March, and April pertaining to the Gregorian calendar.

Significance of Chaitra Navratri:

Across many faith around the globe, there are only a few religions which worship female deities and give importance to them on par with other male deities. When there is a negative force, the equal and more powerful positive force will always work to restore it. The positivity and the vital energy is nowhere, but the “Atma”, or the soul. The universal power culminates with souls of the humans and amasses as the one strong force, which directs the universe. One should understand that their own soul is infused with power, and would help them to reach a newer level of spirituality through several austerities.

Legend of Chaitra Navratri:

The legend of Chaitra Navratri commences when King Dooshibago of the Kingdom Kosala was killed by a lion. Prince Sudarsana was the crown prince, and it was decided that he will be crowned as a king. The opposition came from King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father of Queen Lilavati. Even the King Virasena of Kalinga, the father of Queen Manorama was also against it, as they wanted the kingdom to be given to their grandsons. When there was a great battle between them, King Virasena was killed, and his daughter Queen Manorama along with his son Prince Sudarsana fled to the forest. They were rescued by a eunuch and they took refugee under the Sage Rishi Bharadwaj.

At the same time, King Yudhajit, crowned his grandson, Satrujit, at Ayodya, which was the capital of Kosala Kingdom. Somehow, King Yudhajit found that the Queen Manorama was taking refugee under the sage, and wanted to destroy her. He was furious with Sage and wanted to attack him, but was stopped by his minister.

Once Prince Sudarsana unknowingly pronounced the name “Kleem”, which was the “Bija Akshara Mantra”, which is called the root chant, he was blessed abundantly by Goddess Shakthi. The goddess even appeared before him and blessed him with the power of invincibility.

When the king of Benares passed through the hermitage, he saw the prince and wanted to make him his Son-In-Law. During the Suyamvara Ceremony, where the process can select her suitor, the Princess of Benares chooses Prince Sudarsana. King Yudhajit, who was also participating in the Suyamvara got dejected. King Yudhajit had a great fight with the king of Benaras and Prince Sudarsana. He even mocked the Goddess. Goddess Shakthi became furious and burnet him into ashes.

Thus Prince Sudarsana, his wife, and his father in law became devout worshippers of Goddess Shakthi. She asked them to worship them with Havan during Chaitra Navratri. Thus the tradition continued, and even the descendants of this king, Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana were continuing the tradition. Thus the Lineage of King Raghu of “Surya Vamsam” are strong worshippers of Goddess Shakthi.

Conclusion:

It is an old belief that strong faith can even move mountains. With great devotion and absolute surrender, there could not be any more power which is as absolute as the power of Goddess Shakthi. Thus it is her promise that whoever worships her with devotion would have their obstacles removed in their life, and can have a peaceful and a life filled with tranquility.