Navratri has been a long-standing tradition for all the Hindus, with a great amount of religious value attached to it. We also know that Navratri is undoubtedly one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated across the nation with great enthusiasm & faith. In Hinduism, the Goddess or Feminine form is worshipped in many ways & is given utmost importance. As we have seen that there are different days or months, which are connected to worship particular gods/goddesses likewise; Navratri is the festival which is connected for worshipping Goddess only.
As we have stated in the earlier Navratri articles that, according to the Hindu Scriptures, there are total five (05) Navratris viz. Pausha, Magh, Chaitra, Aashadha & Ashwina Navratri. From these five Navratris, three of them are most popular to everyone & they are; Pausha (Shakambhari), Chaitra & Ashwina. However, not many would know, that each Navratri is celebrated in different seasons, five times a year. Pausha (Shakambhari) Navratri & Magh (Gupt) Navratri are celebrated during winter season (शिशिरः ऋतुः), Chaitra Navratri is celebrated during Spring season (वसन्तः ऋतुः), Aashadha (Gupt) Navratri is celebrated during Monsoon season (वर्षा ऋतुः) & Ashwina (Shardiya) Navratri is celebrated during Autumn season (शरदः ऋतुः).
Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) is also known as the Vasanta Navratri as it brings Spring season. It is a grand nine days festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) is celebrated on the first day of the bright fortnight of the Chaitra month (चैत्रः शुक्लपक्षे प्रतिपदा), which is between March-April. This Navratri is enthusiastically celebrated in Northern, Southern & Western India, which makes the colorful spring season more fascinating & divine.
Significance of Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) –
The first day of Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) marks the Hindu New Year as per Northern, southern & western Indians. Therefore, devotees begin the New Year by worshipping the Mother Goddess. Since Durga represents power, devotees seek her blessings for good health, strong will & overall well-being. Moreover, as mentioned above, Navratri falls during the change of seasons therefore, when devotees observe fast during this Navratri helps the body to stay healthy during this season change. Hence, by observing a fast & keeping a check on their intake, people maintain a healthy diet to guard themselves against heat-borne diseases & illnesses.
As Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) & Shardiya Navratri are related to the changing of seasons, it is also known as a season of sowing & harvesting of crops. Sankranti or the transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another is very popular & is observed with great devotion in India as we have seen in previous articles too. Hindu devotees believe Sankranti is a very auspicious time for everyone. Likewise, Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) has a special significance in astrology too as the Sun changes its position from the first day of Chaitra month. The Sun, after completing his journey in 12 zodiac signs, again enters to the first zodiac i.e., Aries zodiac (मेषः राशिः) to complete the next cycle. This transition of the Sun in Aries zodiac (मेषः राशिः) is known as Mesha Sankranti & as the Sun enters the first zodiac i.e., Aries zodiac (मेषः राशिः), it is another reason to celebrate this day as the new year.
The first day of Chaitra month is celebrated as a new year in many states of India. Maharashtrians celebrates the new year known as Gudi Padwa & in Kashmir it is called as Navreh. In Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka it is celebrated as Ugadi, Sindhis celebrates it as Cheti Chand & in Punjab it is Baisakhi. Kerala celebrates this day as Vishu. In West Bengal it is known as Poila Boisakh. Odisha celebrates it as Pana Sankranti. Assamese celebrates it as Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu. In Tamil Nadu, Puthandu also known as Varusha Pirappu is observed on the first day of the Tamil month Chaitra.
All the above traditional Hindu New Year festivities, during Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री), welcome the spring season & people pray for a rich harvest. The nine forms of Navdurga are worshipped during Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री). The Ninth day of the Chaitra month is celebrated as the birth of Lord Ram & that day is celebrated as Ram Navami.
Historical account of Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) –
According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, there was a king Dhruvasandhi who came from the lineage of Ikshvaku ruled Ayodhya. He had two wives, Manorama & Lilavati; a son was born to each of the queens. Manorama's son Sudarshan was elder by a month to Shatrujit, son of Lilavati. Once Dhruvasandhi went to the forest for hunting & got killed by a ferocious lion. Sage Vasishtha & the ministers decided to make Sudarshan the king, being the elder of the two sons & also found suitable for the throne. But, Lilavati & her father opposed this decision & after a heated argument led to a huge fight between both Sudarshan & Shatrujit’s grandfather, which led to the death of Sudarshan’s grandfather so, Manorama to protect her son Sudarshan, fled from the kingdom & took a shelter in a hermitage. Sudarshan grew up physically as well as spiritually in the atmosphere of the hermitage. He became a great devotee of Goddess Durga. He was initiated into Upanayana samskara when he turned eleven. He learnt Vedas, archery, political science etc.
On the other hand, Subahu was the king of Kashi & he had a beautiful daughter called Shashikala. She was also a great devotee of Goddess Durga. She heard of the vulnerable personality & glorious attainments & qualities of Sudarshan. Love emerged in her for Sudarshan & she became determined to marry him. The Goddess appeared in her dreams & assured her that her wish would be fulfilled. However, king Subahu arranges a Swayamvar for Shashikala where many princes took part including Shatrujit. She informs her parents about her love for Sudarshan but, her father king Subahu & her mother denied to her decision as Sudarshan had no kingdom, no wealth or army yet; Shashikala was determined to marry Sudarshan. Later, her parents agreed & Shashikala & Sudarshan get married secretly in the palace. Knowing this, other princes along with Shatrujit & his grandfather got furious & blocked the kingdom of Kashi so that Shashikala & Sudarshan could not cross the kingdom & vowed to kill Sudarshan & Subahu. A violent war took place between Shatrujit & other princes on one hand & Sudarshan & Subahu on the other.
After a prolonged fight, there appeared in the battlefield Goddess Durga, mounted on a lion, decked in beautiful ornaments & holding many weapons in her hands. Sudarshan now became even more courageous & expressed his happiness to Subahu. The kings could not believe their eyes. However, Shatrujit forced them to continue the fight. Fighting between the two sides continued. Goddess Durga became very angry & she let off powerful arrows & killed Shatrujit & his grandfather, to this other kings & prices were shocked.
Subahu praised Goddess Durga by chanting verses. He said, “When Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva are unable to praise you sufficiently in words, how can an ordinary person like me attempt? When severe austerities cannot ensure your darshan, it is only due to your compassion that a very ordinary devotee like me is blessed with your darshan. You have once again demonstrated your determination to exterminate evil forces & protect the good.” Goddess Durga told Subahu to ask for boons. Subahu, who was overwhelmed with the intensity of bliss of the sudden experience, asked Goddess to grant him firm devotion towards her which lasts forever & also requested Goddess Durga to reside permanently in Kashi & protect the city & the inhabitants. Goddess agreed to his request.
Then, Sudarshan praised Goddess Durga expressing his surprise at her compassion in protecting one who is devoid of devotion. He asked the Goddess for further guidance. Goddess blessed him & asked him to proceed to Ayodhya & perform the duties of king properly. She directed that her idol be installed in Ayodhya & the rituals be performed three times every day, also on Ashtami, Chaturdasi & especially Navmi a special ritual should be held for me. Later, by explaining the importance of Navratri she said that- the Navaratri in Aswina called Sharad Navaratri should be celebrated on a grand scale with special rituals. A grand celebration should be done along with an extra special ritual on other Navaratris - Chaitra, Ashadha, Aswina & Magha.
Furthermore, according to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Sage Veda Vyas by explaining the importance of Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) stated that, both Ashwina (Sharad) Navratri & Chaitra (Vasant) Navratri holds a special place in our religion as these both Navratris are held during Autumn & Spring season. These two seasons are known as the strength of the God of Death (Yama) because, both these seasons are extremely dangerous for health. During these two seasons, many people die due to the spread of deadly diseases. So, it is better to perform ritual ceremony along with observing fast during these two Navratris.
Ritual ceremony of Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) –
Fasting & praying are the two main aspects of celebrating the Navratri. Most of the devotees observe fast for the entire nine days. Those observing a fast by consuming one meal a day must break their fast only after sunset. And those on a fruit/milk diet can eat at regular intervals. However, others have Satvik food during these days & even avoid using onion & garlic for preparing food. Also, non-vegetarian food is completely avoided. The fast is broken on the tenth day. Special pooja rituals & sacrificial rites are conducted & people recite auspicious mantras & worship every form of Goddess Durga. Many women chant the Stotras together in the evening.
Devotes maintain celibacy. Navratri is an ideal time for introspection, self-realization, self-discipline, self-control & spiritual awakening. Therefore, performing penance/austerities to discover your hidden strengths & self is specially followed during Navratri. Devotees Wake up early in the morning, take a bath & wear clean/fresh clothes. Perform meditation followed by taking a pledge for observing the fast with sincerity & devotion. Reading the Durga Saptashati, hymns & mantras dedicated to the Mother Goddess & Offering prays to the nine different forms of Durga (Nav Durga) during these nine days are the basic ritual of every Navratri.
Just like other Navratris, devotees also install the clay pot which is the symbolic of Goddess & worship it every day with five worshipping practices (पञ्चः उपचारः). Also, few grains sow in the soil before few days in a small area which is worshipped during Navratri which is known as “Jawara”. This Jawara is offered water daily & taken care of. After few days crop grow big which is immersed in a river or pond after Navratri with rituals & great respect. Many devotees also light a lamp (दीपम्) which stays on day & night for 9 days & 9 nights during Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री). This lamp (दीपम्) is also worshipped & is taken care of.
On the ninth day, nine girls are invited who are yet to reach the stage of puberty (adolescence). They are worshipped & delicious food is offered to eat & a token of love in the form of gift like, clothes or accessories. This ritual is known as Kanya Puja.
Thus, Navratri holds a significant place in Hinduism. Navratri is observed in the change of seasons. Seasonal changes can have various effects on your body, physically & mentally. Fasting during this time could really balance the body. Navratri is a period of introspection & purification of self both physically & mentally. Not only the devotees of Goddess but others too fast during the Navratri. As we have seen that Goddess herself explained the importance of Navratri, no wonder Navratris hold special place in each & every Hindu’s heart. And now that we know that why we offer rituals to Goddess & observe fast during Chaitra Navratri (चैत्रः नवरात्री) I hope this year you all perform all such rituals with more faith & devotion during Navratri.
पौषः कृष्णपक्षे ०६,२०७८