Chaitra Navratri

Navratri is a significant Hindu festival, which is celebrated twice a year. One is called 'Chaitra' or 'Vasant Navratri' it is held between March and April, and the second one is called the 'Sharad Navratri' , it is held between October and November. Both the celebrations center on the worship of Goddess Shakti.

During, the first three days of Chaitra Navratri devotees worship Goddess Durga and her various incarnations. The different forms of the goddess include Sailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gowri and Siddhidayini.

Before the actual festival begins, devotees start preparing various delicacies. They purchase new clothes to celebrate this auspicious festival. People observe fasts during this period. A lot of them refrain from eating nonvegetarian food. The entire festival is all about praying, fasting as well as savoring good food, dancing and enjoying for the nine days.

Chaitra Navratri also marks the start of the Hindu New Year. It marks the beginning of the spring season. Devotees worship the three main manifestations of Goddess Shakti, that is Durga, Saraswati, and Lakshmi to seek their blessings.