Chaitra Navratri 2021: Even as the Covid-19 cases have exploded in the country, there is no dampening of festive spirit as the nine-day-long festival of Navratri commences today. The auspicious festival dedicated to Goddess Durga is celebrated with full zest and fervour across the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished people on Chaitra Navratri on Monday. The PM also extended greeting on Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, observed in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
What’s the significance of Chaitra Navratri 2021?
The festival of Navratri is celebrated twice a year, and this year festival of Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated from April 13 till April 22. The festival celebrated in March-April is popular as Chaitra Navratri and Vasant Navratri since it is celebrated during the spring season.
Devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga and her nine forms seeking protection from evil and happiness. The other Navratri is observed during the autumn season and popular as Sharad Navrati.
Chaitra Navratri is observed during the full moon phase, which is referred to as the Shukla Paksha phase. Devotees call on the nine forms of Goddess Durga and each day is considered auspicious. The rituals also vary on each of these days.
The nine days are dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga because of which devotees follow different puja rituals. In this festival, devotees offer prayers to nine various avatars of Goddess Durga starting from Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
In fact, the first day of Chaitra Navratri also marks the first day of the Hindu calendar. The festival is celebrated across the country and known by different names. In Maharashtra, the first day of Chaitra Navratri is known as Gudi Padwa, while in Kashmir, the day is popular as Navreh. In Tamil Nadu, Ugadi is the beginning of the Telugu Shaka Samvat 1943. The festivals are celebrated with equal zest and fervour.
Here are nine auspicious days of Chaitra Navratri 2021
Day 1: 13th April (Tuesday) Pratipada
Day 2: 14th April (Wednesday) Dwitiya
Day 3: 15th April (Thursday) Tritiya
Day 4: 16th April (Friday) Chaturthi
Day 5: 17th April (Saturday) Panchami
Day 6: 18th April (Sunday) Shasthi
Day 7: 19th April 2021 (Monday) Saptami
Day 8: 20th April (Tuesday) Annapurna Ashtami -Sandhi Puja
Day 9: 21st April (Wednesday) Rama Navami
Day 10: 22nd April (Thursday) Dashami, Navratri Parana