Chaitra Navratri: Festival that reveres nine forms of Goddess Durga; Find out its connection with Goddess Adi Parashakti
In Hinduism, a vast number of festivals and celebrations are observed. Many of these commemorate events from ancient India and often align with seasonal changes. If we talk about numbers, there are around 50 major Hindu festivals every year in India! Chaitra Navratri is one of these festivals.
Chaitra Navratri 2025 Dates
In 2025, the festival will be celebrated from 30th March (Sunday) to 7th April (Monday).
The festivities continue over nine nights in the month of Chaitra. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls in March/April. The annual Hindu festival is observed in honor of the Goddess Durga, an aspect of Goddess Adi Parashakti (the supreme deity).
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Who Is Goddess Adi Parashakti?
In Hinduism, Goddess Adi Parashakti (Mahadevi) is the supreme goddess. According to Shaktism (the goddess-centric sect), all Hindu deities are considered manifestations of this great Goddess. She is considered the Para Brahman (the ultimate truth).
Two Navaratris In A Year!
It is pertinent to mention here that the Navratri festival is celebrated twice a year – Chaitra Navaratri and Ashvin Navaratri (Sharada Navaratri). The former is observed in March/April of the Gregorian calendar while the latter is celebrated in September/October (in the second half of the year). Sharada Navaratri is the most celebrated, followed by Chaitra Navaratri.
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About Chaitra Navaratri
Chaitra Navaratri is also known as Vasantha (Spring) Navaratri. As mentioned above, it is the second most celebrated Navaratri. During the lunar month of Chaitra (March–April), it is observed and is devoted to the deity Durga. During these nine days, nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped. The last day is also observed by Hindus as Rama Navami (the birthday of Lord Rama).
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Hindu Lunar New Year
The first day of the Chaitra Navaratri also marks the first day of the Hindu Lunar New Year (March 30, 2025), according to the Vikram Samvat calendar.
Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
Day 1) Shailaputri
The first day is associated with the form Goddess Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountain), an incarnation of Parvati.
Day 2) Brahmacharini
The second day is associated with the form Goddess Brahmacharini (Unmarried One). She is worshipped as another incarnation of the deity Parvati.
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Day 3) Chandraghanta
On the third day, the deity Chandraghanta is honored. The name derived from the fact that after marrying Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati adorned her forehead with the ardhachandra (half-moon).
Day 4) Kushmanda
On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped. She is believed to be the creative power of the universe.
Day 5) Skandamata
On the fifth day, the deity Skandamata is worshipped. She is the mother of Skanda (or Kartikeya).
Day 6) Katyayani
On the fifth day, the deity Katyayani (warrior goddess) is worshipped. She is an incarnation of Durga who killed the buffalo-demon Mahisa. She is considered one of the most violent forms of the Devi.
Day 7) Kalaratri
Deity Kalaratri is revered on saptami (7th day). It is believed that Goddess Parvati removed her fair skin to slay the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Day 8) Mahagauri
On the 8th day, Goddess Mahagauri (symbolizes intelligence and peace) is worshipped.
Day 9) Siddhidatri
On the 9th (last day of the festival), devotees pray to Goddess Siddhidhatri (“Giver of Perfection”). She sits on a lotus and is believed to possess and bestow all types of Siddhis.
Journalist Anurag Sason wishes you all a very prosperous Chaitra Navaratri.
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