Chaitra Navratri 2024: Chaitra Navratri is a special time of the year. Chaitra Navratri has started and Hindus celebrate this festival with a lot of joy. Every year, people all over the country celebrate Chaitra Navratri with lots of excitement and give others Chaitra Navratri wishes. In Hindi, Navratri means nine nights. During this festival, we worship nine forms of Goddess Durga for nine Nights and seek their blessings.
This year, Chaitra Navratri Starts on April 9, 2024, and will end on 17th April 2024. The nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during this time are – Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri.
Chaitra Navratri 2024: Maa Durga and her nine avatars:
Maa Shailputri: During Chaitra Navratri, Maa Shailputri is worshiped on the first day. Maa Shailputri holds a trident in one hand and a lotus flower in the other. She rides Nandi the bull.
Maa Brahmacharini: On the second day of Navratri, we worship Maa Brahmacharini. She is the female ascetic form of Maa Durga. She holds a rosary bead made of rudraksha in one hand and a Kamandal in the other.
Maa Chandraghanta: Maa Chandraghanta, also called Maa Ranachandi, has a third eye and is always ready to fight demons. She has ten hands. A half-moon adorns her forehead, which is why she is named Maa Chandraghanta.
Maa Kushmanda: People worship Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri. They call her Ashtabhuja Devi, believing that she created the universe.
Maa Skandamata: People worship Maa Skandamata on the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri. They believe she has four arms and three eyes, and she rides on a lion. Artists also show her holding Karthikeya on her lap.
Maa Katyayani: Maa Katyayani is the warrior form of Maa Durga. Sage Katyayana performed penance on Maa Durga and asked her to be born as his daughter. That’s why she’s called Katyayani.
Maa Kalaratri: On the seventh day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Kalaratri is worshipped. Also known as Maa Kali, Maa Kalaratri is one of the most violent forms of Maa Durga.
Maa Mahagauri: Maa Mahagauri has four hands. She holds a Damru and a trident in two hands, while the other two hands show Varada and Abhaya mudra.
Maa Siddhidhatri: People worship Maa Siddhidhatri on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. They believe she gives all siddhis. They think she is Mahashakti herself, and Lord Shiva got Siddhi by praying to her.