Chaitra Navratri 2020: History, significance and nine avatars of Goddess Durga during this nine night festival

New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: The traditional Hindu festival of Navratri, which also known as the nine-day festival will start on March 25 and will culminate on April 2 with the celebrations of Ram Navami. Navratri is the one of the most prominent festivals of the Hindu religion and is celebrated with full joy and fervour.

This festival is also know as Vasant Navami and is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. The devotees worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms during the nine days of Navratri and also observe fasts and abstinence.

Navratri falls twice every year. While Sharada Navratri is celebrated during the month of September or October, Chaitra or Vasanta Navratri is celebrated in the month of March or April. This year the festival will begin on March 25 and will conclude on Ram Navami (April 2).

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Devotees, during the nine days of Navratri worship Goddess Durga and seek her blessings. According to Hindu mythology, one who worships Durga Maa during this time can attain salvation and also can get his/her wishes fulfilled. Keeping fast during these nine days also helps you to get prepared for the summers.

The Chaitra Navratri also symbolises the beginning of the new year of the Hindu calendar. It also marks the beginning of new season when new flowers and fruits start to bloom.

History of Chaitra Navratri

As we all know Navratri symbolizes victory of good over evil. Navratri is divided into three parts to worship three different aspects of three Goddesses.

According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva allowed his wife, Durga to visit her mother for nine days only. This is the reason why many Hindu women visit their homes during the Navratri season. Incidently, Goddess Durga also killed the demon Mahishasura during this period. Hence Goddess Durga is worshipped during the Navratri as a symbol of shakti, which means ultimate strength. Worshipping Durga gives inner strength to the devotees.  

Here are the various avatars of Goddess Durga worshipped on each day during Navratri

March 25: Maa Shailputri (Ekadashi)

March 26: Maa Brahmacharini

March 27: Maa Chandraghanta

March 28: Maa Kushmanda

March 29:Maa Skandamata (Panchami)

March 30:Maa Katyayani

March 31:Maa Kalaratri (Saptami)

April 1: Maa Mahagauri (Ashtami)

April 2: Maa Sidhidatri (Ram Navami)

Timing: From 6:19 am to 7:17 pm on March 25.