Chaitra Navaratri is the most important and popular festival of Hindus. Navaratri literally translates to festival that spans over nine nights and ten days. The festival is celebrated to honour victory of good over evil. It is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess of Shakti, Ma Durga. During these nine days, Devi Durga is worshipped in nine different forms and each day is dedicated to one form. These nine forms are

• Day 1 - Shailputri: (Daughter of the Mountains) Shailaputri is the absolute form of Mother Nature. She is daughter of King Himvan and Menavati. She is reincarnation of Sati.
• Day 2 - Bhahmacharini: (A devoted female student ) According to different versions of story, maiden Parvati resolves to marry Shiva. Her parents learn of her desire, discourage her, but she pursues what she wants.
• Day 3 - Chandraghanta: (One who has half moon shaped like bell) She is believed to keep her 3rd eye always opened and is always ready for war against demons. This form also represent her married form. She is a mother who not only nourishes but also protects.
• Day 4 - Kushmanda: (A little cosmic egg of warmth and energy ) In this form, She is believed to give birth to universe after a period of void and darkness. While all planets, stars and sun were bought into being, to sustain life, she placed herself at the core of sun liberating its energy and heat.
• Day 5 - Skandamata: (Mother of the war god Skanda ) Tarkasur, a demon lord was prophesied to be defeted by first born of Lord Shiva, Since he was still infant, Skandamata carried him on his lap, riding a lion ( in some stories, a lotus) into battlefield.
• Day 6 - Katyayani: (Daughter of Rishi Katayana ) Sage Katayana with help of other gods, requested Mata Parvati to destroy Mahishasur. She incarnated as his daughter and fought with his army riding a lion. She killed the demon lord and saved earth from his cruelty. She represents anger, vengeance towards evil.
• Day 7 - Kalratri: (Night of death) This is most ferocious form of Ma. This form manifests to destroy Sumbha and Nisumbha. This form is greater than Kala (Time) himself.
• Day 8 - Mahagauri: (Extremely white) Unlike previous forms, which are represented by dark complexion, and war ready persona, This manifestation is white in complexion, and very beautiful. She is wearing white cloths and rides a white bull. She forgives sinners and purify them. The grants all wishes of her devotees.
• Day 9 - Siddhadatri: (Awarder of divine abilities) In this form, She is seated on lotus. She is Mool Roop ( original form ) of goddess. She sits equal with Lord Shiva, looking over the world. She bestow enlightenment on all who seeks. In some stories, she is the female half of Ardhanarishwar, and has achieved all knowledge and enlightenment.

These nine forms are together known as Navadurga. Ma Durga is worshipped as a saviour of mankind from ignorance and all forms of evils.

Navaratri comes four times in a year, but the Navaratri occurring in the Chaitra month (March-April) and Ashwin month ( september-October) of the Hindu calendar are more popular and widely celebrated. The other two Navratri which fall in the months of Magh (January-February) and Ashadh (june-July) months are called Gupt (secret) Navratri, mostly practised by someone who needs a special upaye for their problems.

This is the month of Chaitra and this year the Navaratri will begin on 13th April. This Navratri falls in the Spring season and is called Basanti Navatatri. The Celebration begins with ‘Ghatasthapana’ or the installation of the Holy Kalash which is filled with water to which some turmeric, coins and rice grains are added. It is covered with a lid under which a stem of mango tree is kept. The lid is filled with clay with some seeds. The seeds germinate during the festival. This pot is a sign of happiness and prosperity. The devotees spend these nine days performing special pujas and Yagnas, dancing and singing devotional songs.

The Chaitra Navratri is believed to be the time of the birth of Devi Parvati, the Goddess of power Shakti. Interestingly, Lord Ram was also born during this Navratri. The festival ends on the ninth day which is celebrated as Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Ram.

Chaitra shukla Pratipada or the first day of the Navratri is celebration of the New Year in many parts of the Indian Subcontinent. The traditional Hindu calendar, Vikram samvat begins on this day. This year (2021), it will be 2078 according to the vikram samvat.

In Maharashtra, this day is celebrated as Gudi Padva. It signifies the arrival of Spring and harvesting of rabi crops.

The Hindu community of Kashmir celebrates this day as Navreh.

In TamilNadu , this is the Ugadi celebration.

The Sindhi community celebrates the new year Cheti Chand, which falls on the second day of the Navratri. On this day, they also celebrate the birthday of their main deity, Jhule lal.

This year, the Bengalis will also be celebrating their new year in Navratri. The Bengali new Year is celebrated on 14th/15th April and according to their calendar, it is Poila Boishakh, the first day of the month of Baisakh.

The women of Rajasthan and Madhya pradesh celebrate Gangaur on (Teej), the third day of the Navratri. They pray to the eternal couple Shiva and Gauri for the well being and prosperity of their family.

Navratri also marks harvest season of spring crops. In the villages, the crops are harvested and the houses are filled with fresh stalk of grains. There is festivity in the air and is the time to relax with family and friends.

It is also the time of the changing season which brings various health problems. This year, with the pandemic still continuing, we will have to be more careful. Praying, meditation and a healthy diet is advised during the festival.

May the nine Avatars of Ma Durga bless you with nine qualities- Power, Knowledge, Devotion, Humanity, Peace, Name, Fame, Health and Happiness.

Wish you a happy new year

Reference:

• Wikipedia
• Ritsin.com
• Jagran (Local newspaper)
• My mother for all her stories and wisdom on this topic.