Vasant Navaratri: Nine Holy Nights Festival
On April 01, 2019What is Vasant/Chaitra Navaratri?
Vasant or Chaitra Navaratri is celebrated in the Vasanta rithu (spring season), when summer begins in March-April. Vasant means spring and it is called Chaitra because it comes in the lunar month of Chaitra. Navaratri is celebrated twice a year, during spring as well as a few weeks before Vijayadasami in October or November.
It is a nine-day festival honoring the powerful Goddess Durga. Women observe fast and worship the Goddess. On the eighth or ninth day, the fast is broken by offering choice delicacies to nine young girls. Gifts and clothes will also be given to them.
The festival honors the nine forms of Shakti.
Ghatasthapana- Shailputri Pooja
This is the first day of the festival. This pooja invokes Goddess Shakti.
Sindhara Dooj Brahmacharini Pooja
This is the second day of the festival when Goddess Brahmacharini (a form of Goddess Parvati) and governess of Lord Mangal is worshipped
Gauri Teej Chandraghanta Pooja
On the third day, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. Gauri Tritiya (a popular festival covering 18 days) is celebrated in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Kushmanda Pooja Varad Vinayaka Chauth
On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda (who rules the Sun god), is worshipped.
Naag Pujan Skandamata Pooja
Skandamatha is another name for Goddess Parvati who was the mother of Lord Skanda and is honored on the fifth day.
Skanda Sashti Katyayani Pooja
Lord Skanda who is the son of Shiva and Parvati and brother of Lord Ganesha, is honored on the sixth day.
Maha Saptami Kalaratri Pooja
This celebrates the event when Parvati became dark-skinned like Goddess Kali to kill the demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha. Hence, she was called Goddess Kalaratri. She is Parvati’s most ferocious form.
Durga Ashtami Annapurna Ashtami
On Ashtami or the eighth day, Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped. Those who do not fast for all the nine days fast the entire day on Ashtami and worship Durga.
Sandhi Puja Rama Navami
The ninth day is celebrated as Lord Rama’s birthday.
Deeply Connect with Goddess During Vasant Navaratri for Prosperity, Protection, and Victory Blessings
The festival honors the nine forms of Shakti.
Ghatasthapana- Shailputri Pooja
This is the first day of the festival. This pooja invokes Goddess Shakti.
Sindhara Dooj Brahmacharini Pooja
This is the second day of the festival when Goddess Brahmacharini (a form of Goddess Parvati) and governess of Lord Mangal is worshipped
Gauri Teej Chandraghanta Pooja
On the third day, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. Gauri Tritiya (a popular festival covering 18 days) is celebrated in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Kushmanda Pooja Varad Vinayaka Chauth
On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda (who rules the Sun god), is worshipped.
Naag Pujan Skandamata Pooja
Skandamatha is another name for Goddess Parvati who was the mother of Lord Skanda and is honored on the fifth day.
Skanda Sashti Katyayani Pooja
Lord Skanda who is the son of Shiva and Parvati and brother of Lord Ganesha, is honored on the sixth day.
Maha Saptami Kalaratri Pooja
This celebrates the event when Parvati became dark-skinned like Goddess Kali to kill the demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha. Hence, she was called Goddess Kalaratri. She is Parvati’s most ferocious form.
Durga Ashtami Annapurna Ashtami
On Ashtami or the eighth day, Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped. Those who do not fast for all the nine days fast the entire day on Ashtami and worship Durga.
Sandhi Puja Rama Navami
The ninth day is celebrated as Lord Rama’s birthday.
