Vasanta Navaratri or Chaitra Navaratri also known as Lalitha Navarathri is celebrated from Chaitra Amavasya for the next 9 nights.This year, it will be celebrated from 9th April 2024 to 18th April 2024.
The main purpose of this Navaratri is to welcome the seasonal changes. The beginning of Winter (September-October) and beginning of Summer (April- May) mark important points of climatic and solar influences. Our bodies and minds also come under these influences. Therefore, Agni Purana recommends celebrating at least the Chaitra Navaratri and the Sharad Navaratri. Invoking the boundless compassion and grace of the Goddess Lalithambika confers the required immunity and strength to achieve physical and mental wellness.
Though Devi worship is the mainstay of this navaratri, it is also referred to as “Rama Navaratri” since Rama Navami ( Rama’s birthday) falls on the 9th day of this festival. Lord Rama and Hanuman are also worshipped alongwith Shakti.
According to the Devi Bhagavata Puran, Prince Sudarshana won against King Yudhajit with Shakti’s help. Therefore, he alongwith his wife and father -in law started worshipping Devi earnestly. The pleased Goddess ordered them to intensify Her worship during Vasanta Navaratri by performing havans and other rituals. Lord Rama and Lakshmana, the descendants of King Sudharsana continued the tradition and recovered Sita with the Goddess’ help.
The theme of this Navaratri evokes Bhakti bhava in earnest worshippers. This festival is mainly celebrated in North India and few temples in South India especially temples with Sree Mahameru installed. Special Abhishekams are performed every morning during this period. The deity is decorated in a grand fashion too. Evenings are filled up with Lalitha Sahasranamam archanai and Navavarna pooja, considered to be the most powerful Pooja in Shakta tradition. Kanya Puja and Suhasini poojas are also conducted to worship the Shakti aspect. The Goddess being a lover of arts, music and dance programmes are also part of the celebrations.
One can celebrate this Navaratri in their homes, as per their belief and faith. Lalitha Sahasranamam, Soundarya Lahari, Abhirami Andhaadi, Durga Saptashati and various other scriptures and slokas can be chanted. Honouring young girls as “Kanya” and married ladies as ” Suvasini” is quite a popular way of worshipping Shakti during Navaratri.
This is a unique festival wherein there are celebrations happening on one hand while intense sadhanas aimed at delving deeper to gain gnana are performed by sadhaks. The vices of the mind can be dissolved during this period through tapas and Devi upasanas.Sincere prayers to Lalithambika during this navaratri blesses one with all the health, wealth, education, overall success and fulfillment of desires.
Vasant rithu aka Spring heralds the time of harvest and happiness, not only in nature but also in the minds of people. What a better way to celebrate Spring than by worshiping Goddess Lalitha – the Mother of the Universe!
