CHAITRA NAVRATRI
THE NINE NIGHTS OF DIVINITY
SIGNIFICANCE
Navratri means the nine nights. In the nine nights you turn inwards. It is a time for meditation, for you turn inwards, and then come out with creativity. That is the significance. Chaitra means the beginning of a New Year. So the New Year beings with nine days of turning inwards; prayer, meditation, and chanting. Recognizing the Divinity in the whole creation, and enlivening that aspect.
Chaitra-'"New Year"
Chaitra means the beginning of a New Year. So the New Year beings with nine days of turning inwards; prayer, meditation, and chanting. Recognizing the Divinity in the whole creation, and enlivening that aspect.
Festival of Nine Days
The festivities begin from the ‘pratipada’ (1st day) till the ‘navami’ (9th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) during the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’, which is also the first month of the Hindu calendar and hence the name, Chaitra Navaratri.
Worship of Goddess Shakti
According to the Hindu Puranas and scriptures, Chaitra Navaratri was the most important Navaratri in which Goddess Shakti was worshipped, until Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga in the ‘Ashwin’ month during the Ramayana war.
Rama Navami
Chaitra Navaratri is also known ‘Rama Navratri’ as the ninth day of the Navaratri festivity is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama.