Chaitra Navratri festival / Navratri puja - from 11th April to 20th April

Chaitra Navratri, also known as Chait Navratras, as the name indicates is observed during the Chaitra month (March – April) in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. Chaitra Navaratri 2013 begins on April 11 and ends on April 20. 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.

Chaitra Navratri is known by different names like Ram Navaratri, Vasant Navratri, Basant Navrathri and some people also refer it as Spring Navaratras.

Importance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is one of the most important festival of Hindus. Devotees worship Maa Shakti, Goddess of cosmic power, during this time and wish to be bestowed by divine benediction from Goddess. Fasting and praying mark the Navratri celebrations. Goddess Shakti manifests herself in three different dimensions as Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Durga. Navratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of the supreme goddess or goddesses.

On the first three days Durga or Goddess of Energy is worshipped.The next three days are devoted to Lakshmi or Goddess of Wealth and the last three days for Saraswati or Goddess of Knowledge. On the eighth and ninth day, Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) is performed to honor Durga Mata and bid her farewell. On these days Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls (those who have not reached at the puberty stage) representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. In some regions a young boy also accompanies them who symbolizes Bhairav, who is considered as protector against all evils. Those who worship Goddess without any expectation or desire being fulfilled receive her blessings as ultimate freedom from all bondages

The period of Navratri is considered to be very significant and fruitful from view point of Tantric practices. It is said that one achieves greater Tantric powers during these period of Navratras. The cosmic motherly power blesses the worshipers who fathom mysterious ways of Tantra and practice it correctly. Those who worship Goddess in or around Shakti Peetha (Special Shakti Temples) harvest great rewards even faster.
Navratri, besides being a period of introspection and purification, is also considered an auspicious time for starting new ventures.

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