Vasant Navratri: Nine Holy Nights Festival

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Vasant or Chaitra Navratri is celebrated every year in the Vasanta Rhitu (beginning of summer that is March-April). Vasant means Spring whereas it is also called as Chaitra because it falls in the lunar month of Chaitra. In Hinduism, Navratri (nine nights festival) is celebrated twice in a year. Once is during spring and the other is few weeks before Vijaydashmi in October or November.

Vasant Navratri is also a nine days festival where the powerful Goddess Durga is worshiped. Women fast (eats only once) and pray to the Goddess. On the eight or ninth day, they break their fast by feeding good delicacies to nine young girls. Many families also offer gifts and clothes to the young girls.

Vasant Navratri, the nine days puja is dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti. Check out the Vasant or Chaitra Navratri Ujjain dates 2013.

11th April, 2013: Ghatasthapana-
Shailputri Pujan- This day marks the beginning of the nine days Hindu festival, Vasant or Chaitra Navratri. Ghatasthapana is the invocation of Goddess Shakti.

12th April, 2013: Sindhara Dooj
Brahmacharini Pujan- Goddess Brahmacharini (one of the forms of Goddess Parvati) and governess of Lord Mangal is worshiped on the second day of Vasant or Chaitra Navratri.

13th April, 2013: Gauri Teej
Chandraghanta Pujan- Goddess Chandraghanta is worshiped on the third day of Spring Navratri. Gangaur or Gauri Tritiya (18 days popular festival in Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh) is celebrated during this time.

14th April, 2013: Kushmanda Pujan
Varad Vinayaka Chauth- Goddess Kushmanda (who governs Sun god) is worshiped on the fourth day.

15th April, 2013: Naag Pujan
Skandamata Pujan- When Goddess Parvati became the mother of Lord Skanda, she was named Skandamata. She is worshiped on the fifth day of Vasant Navratri.

16th April, 2013: Skanda Sashti
Katyayani Pujan- Lord Skanda is son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati and younger brother of Lord Ganesha. Lord Skanda is also known as Murugan, Kartikeyan and Subramanya and is widely worshiped in Tamil Nadu. Also Goddess Katyayani (the destroyer of Mahishasura) is worshiped.

17th April, 2013: Maha Saptami
Kalaratri Pujan- When Goddess Parvati turned dark skinned like Goddess Kali to kill Shumbha and Nishumbha and was named Goddess Kalaratri. She is the most ferocious form of Maa Parvati.

18th April, 2013: Durga Ashtami
Annapurna Ashtami- Goddess Shailputri is worshiped on the Ashtami (8th day of Navratri). Many Hindus who do not fast for nine whole days fast full day on Ashtami and worship Goddess Durga.

19th April, 2013: Sandhi Puja
Rama Navami- This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama. Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya on Avami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month.

These are the nine days of Vasant or Chaitra Navratri.