Chaitra Navratri 2021: Every year Navratri is celebrated for 9 nights and 10 days. During Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped namely Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Kaalratri, Katyayani, Mahagauri, and Siddhidhatri.
The festivities begin from the ‘pratipada’ (1st day) till the ‘navami’ (9th day) of the Shukla Paksha during the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’, which is also the first month of the Hindu calendar and hence the name, Chaitra Navratri. According to the English calendar, it falls during the months between March-April.
Some people believe that Maa Durga descended on the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Brahma started the work of creation of the universe at the behest of Mother Durga. This is why Hindu New Year begins with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.
This year Chaitra Navratri will commence on April 13, 2021, and will conclude on April 21, 2021.
Chaitra Navratri 2021 Schedule and Date
Day 1: Shailaputri Puja
Date: April 13, Tuesday
Known as Pratipada (first day), this day is associated with Shailaputri (literally “Daughter of Mountain”), an incarnation of Parvati. It is in this form that the Goddess is worshiped as the wife of Shiva; she is depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trishula in her right hand and lotus in her left.
Day 2: Brahmacharini Puja
Date: April 14, Wednesday
On Dwitiya (second day), Goddess Brahmacharini, another incarnation of Parvati, is worshiped. In this form, Parvati became Sati, her unmarried self. Brahmacharini is worshiped for emancipation or moksha and endowment of peace and prosperity.
Day 3: Chandraghanta Puja
Date: April 15, Thursday
Tritiya (third day) commemorates the worship of Chandraghanta. She is the embodiment of beauty and is also symbolic of bravery.
Day 4: Kushmanda Puja
Date: April 16, Friday
Goddess Kushmanda is worshiped on Chaturthi (fourth day). Believed to be the creative power of the universe. She is associated with the endowment of vegetation on earth.
Day 5: Skandamata Puja
Date: April 17, Saturday
Skandamata, the goddess worshiped on Panchami (fifth day), is the mother of Skanda (or Kartikeya). The color of Royal Blue is symbolic of the transforming strength of a mother when her child is confronted with danger.
Day 6: Katyani Puja
Date: April 18, Sunday
Born to sage Katyayana, she is an incarnation of Durga and is shown to exhibit courage which is symbolized by the color Yellow. Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Devi.
Day 7: Kaalaratri Puja
Date: April 19, Monday
Considered the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga, Kalaratri is revered on Saptami. It is believed that Parvati removed her fair skin to kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha.
Day 8: Mahagauri Puja
Date: April 20, Tuesday
Mahagauri symbolizes intelligence and peace. It is believed when Kaalaratri took a bath in the Ganga river, she became extremely fair from her darker complexion.
Day 9: Siddhidatri Puja & Ram Navami
Date: April 21, Wednesday
On the last day of the festival also known as Navami (ninth day), people pray to Siddhidhatri. Sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all types of Siddhis. She has four hands and is also known as Mahalakshmi. According to Vedic scriptures, Lord Shiva attained all the siddhis by worshiping this Goddess.
