Chaitra Navratri/Vasanth Navaratri/Raam Navaratri
Chaitra Navratri, as the name indicates is observed during the Chaitra month (March – April) in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and three of her most popular forms– Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati – are worshipped during the period. It begins on the first day of the Chaitra month and ends with Ram Navami. In 2009, Chaitra Navaratri begins on March 27 and ends on April 3.
Chaitra Navratri is known by different names like Ram Navaratri, Vasant Navratri, Basant Navrathri and some people also refer it as Spring Navaratras.
Chaitra Navratri is observed when Mother Nature undergoes an important climate change. It also marks the beginning of the summer season. There is a popular belief that the fasting during Chaitra Navrati is to prepare the body for the ensuing summer season.
Chaitra Navratri is more famous in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and in other parts of North India. Some of the most important temple fairs in the Shakti Temples in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand take place during this period.
I am pleased and benifitted with the introductory article about Chaitra Navaratri by Gyan Dhara which was not in my knowledge so far. It is not much celebrated in the state Bengal but we too celebrate Chaitra in some different style.Our Navabarsha or the first day of the New Year begins from first Vaishakah, immediate after the last day of Chaitra.
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