Hindu festival
Chaitra Navratri
Also known as Vasanta Navratri, Ram Navratri.
In short
Chaitra Navratri is the spring festival of nine nights honouring the Goddess in her nine forms, from the first to the ninth tithi of the waxing moon in Chaitra. It opens the Hindu lunar new year and closes on Ram Navami, kept with fasting, worship of Durga, and devotion to Shakti.
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When is Chaitra Navratri?
- This year’s date
- Set by the panchang each year from the rule below. Godify shows a specific date only once it is confirmed against an authoritative panchang — never guessed.
- Tithi / rule
- The nine tithis from Shukla Pratipada to Navami of the month of Chaitra
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Durga
The spring Navratri (the autumn one is Sharada Navratri). It opens with Gudi Padwa / Ugadi — the Hindu new year — and closes on Ram Navami.
The story of Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri is the Goddess's festival of the spring, mirroring the autumn Sharada Navratri. Over nine nights the nine forms of Durga — the Navadurga — are worshipped one by one, a graded devotion to Shakti, the power that creates, protects, and liberates.
It begins on the same day as Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, the turn of the Hindu year, and culminates on the ninth day in Ram Navami, the birth of Rama. Spring, the new year, the Goddess, and the Lord of dharma are thus gathered into a single sacred season.
How is Chaitra Navratri celebrated?
Devotees install the ghata (Ghatasthapana), fast, and worship the nine forms of Durga across nine nights, reading the Durga Saptashati. The season opens with the new year and closes with Ram Navami on the ninth day.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः
oṃ duṃ durgāyai namaḥ
I bow to Durga, the invincible protector and mother of strength.
More Hindu festivals
About Chaitra Navratri
When is Chaitra Navratri?
The nine tithis from Shukla Pratipada to Navami of Chaitra (spring). The exact Gregorian dates are set by the panchang each year.
How is Chaitra Navratri different from Sharada Navratri?
Both are nine nights of the Goddess; Chaitra Navratri falls in spring and opens the Hindu new year (closing on Ram Navami), while Sharada Navratri falls in autumn and closes on Vijayadashami.
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