Chaitra Navratri 2027

What is Chaitra Navratri?

Chaitra Navratri, also called Vasant (spring) Navratri, is the nine-night festival of Goddess Durga that begins on the first day of the Hindu lunar new year, Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, and ends on Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama. It is one of the two main Navratris of the year — the other, Sharad Navratri in autumn, is the better-known one with garba and Durga Puja. Chaitra Navratri is especially observed in North India, in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and in temples of the Goddess across the country.

How is Chaitra Navratri observed?

Ghatasthapana

On the first morning, families install a kalash (pot) filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut, and sow barley (jau) in a bed of soil nearby — the green shoots that grow over the nine days are seen as a sign of prosperity. An akhand jyoti, a lamp kept burning for all nine days, is lit in many homes.

Nine forms of Durga

Each day honours one of the nine forms of the Goddess — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri — with puja, mantras and the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.

Fasting

Many devotees fast for all nine days or on the first and last days, eating fruit, milk and vrat foods such as sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour, and avoiding grains, onion and garlic.

Kanya Pujan

On Ashtami or Navami, young girls are welcomed into the home as forms of the Goddess. Their feet are washed, they are given a red chunri and gifts, and served halwa, puri and black chana before the fast is broken.

Ram Navami

The ninth day is Ram Navami. Temples hold a midday puja at the hour of Lord Rama's birth, Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas readings, and processions. See our Ram Navami page for more.