Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu Calendar. On the first day of the month of Chaitra, Hindus celebrate their new year which is known as Gudi Padwa. The festival has different names in different parts of the country, but its purpose is to celebrate the first day of the new year with fun and frolic to set the tone for the rest of the year. Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, is celebrated immediately after GudiPadwa, in the first month of the Lunar calendar.

Hindus celebrate Navratri twice in a year. The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated around the arrival of summer, whereas the other Navratri is celebrated during the onset of winter. The customs and rituals that need to be followed for both Navratris are pretty much the same, but there are minor differences that are important to remember. Chaitra Navratri is a reasonably large festival in the northern parts of India, where it is celebrated with much vigor and joy. There are big pandals that are decorated in the communal spaces of the town and have Brass Idols of Goddess Durga that people can visit and worship.

Why is Chaitra Navratri Important?
Hindu devotees of Goddess Durga believe that during the ten days of Navratri, it is essential to make time for the Goddess and pray to her to receive blessings. It is considered that people who worship Goddess Durga during this specific time of the year, and they do so consistently every year, they can achieve salvation in life. It is also essential not to have any desires while praying to Goddess Durga to attain salvation.

It is recommended that you observe a fast during the Navratri as this is the time when Mother Nature is going through changes in terms of climate and temperatures. Hence, when you fast in the name of Goddess Durga, you’re helping out Mother Nature in making the transition and adjusting to the increasing temperatures. It is also beneficial for you to observe a fast during Navratri as it will help you in dealing with the onset of the oppressive summers that we experience in India. Hence, even though we believe that fasting for gods is essential for religious reasons, there are also times when we have scientific reasons for fasting.

Many of the Hindu households observe Navratri by praying to a murti of Goddess Durga. Of course, no festival or auspicious event begins without offering prayers to a Brass Ganpati Idol. Lord Ganesha is always the first one to be worshipped. People clean up their houses before the celebrations of Navratri begin. People buy new clothes to welcome the festival. Women prepare a lot of sweets that are loved by Goddess Durga. The most important factors of the Navratri are fasting and praying. Some devotees fast for the entirety of nine days while some fast according to their physical endurance. The fast is broken on the ninth day, which is also known as Ram Navami. It is celebrated by eating a lot of sweets and spending time with family.