Chaitra Navratri 2023: Uncover The Significant Ritual Of This Day

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri 2023 Date and Time

Chaitra Navratri Muhurat

Chaitra Navratri: Brahma Muhurat

Chaitra Navratri Rituals

Chaitra Navratri Legend

Final Words

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri commemorates the manifestations of the heavenly deity Goddess Durga, who is considered the highest female form in Hinduism. She is the universe’s most powerful feminine energy and Shakti (power). As a result, this day is highly significant for the Hindu devotees.

The Navratri Puja bestows immense wealth and good fortune. Goddess Durga, on the other hand, has a few restrictions that must be scrupulously obeyed by those seeking her blessings. For instance, severe fasting without grain intake, cleanliness, Aarti, and ghatsthapana according to the ritual.

Chaitra Navratri 2023 Date and Time

Goddess Shakti appears as Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati during the Navratri festival. Navratri’s puja rituals are divided into three categories. Per collection honours a different Goddess. The Goddess of Energy Maa Durga is honoured by doing Durga Puja during the first three days of Chaitra Navratri. The Goddess of Money, Devi Lakshmi, is worshipped for the next three days, and the Goddess of Knowledge, Devi Saraswati, is worshipped for the final three days.

Chaitra Navratri Event	Chaitra Navratri Date and Time
Ghatasthapana	Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Ghatasthapana Timing	06:23 AM to 07:32 AM
Duration	01 Hour 09 Mins
Pratipada Tithi Begins	10:52 PM on Mar 21, 2023
Pratipada Tithi Ends	08:20 PM on Mar 22, 2023

Chaitra Navratri Muhurat

When it comes to Muhurta, performing Ghatasthapana on the third day of the current Pratipada (i.e., for 24 minutes) can be the most auspicious or Shubh time. Due to some reason, if the time frame is not adhered to, the ritual can be performed during the Abhijit Muhurta.

The Abhijit Muhurat is a 48-minute duration in the middle of the day that is auspicious. It is the eighth of 15 Muhurats that occur between sunrise and sunset. The time period between sunrise and sunset is divided into 15 equal parts, with Abhijit Muhurat being the middle of the fifteen parts. The muhurta is considered strong enough to destroy innumerable Doshas and it is considered the best Muhurat to start or inaugurate fortunate activities.

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Chaitra Navratri: Brahma Muhurat

When conducting Ghatasthapana, Choghadiya (Muhurat) is a crucial consideration to remember. Although the scriptures do not place much emphasis on it, it is best to avoid the Choghadiya Muhurat during Ghatasthapana.

Performing Ghatastapana may be auspicious if the Dwi-Swabhav Lagna Kanya prevails at dawn during Shardiya Navratri. Ghathastapnan can not be done in the afternoon, at night, or after sixteen ghatis have passed before sunrise.

Chaitra Navratri Rituals

One of the most important rituals connected with Navratri is Ghatasthapana, which signifies the start of the nine-day celebrations. Hindu scriptures provide clear rules and guidance in the early days of Navratri to carry out Ghatasthapana. Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi involves the installation of the Kalash and the nine-day invocation of Goddess Shakti. Ghatasthapana should be done according to the proper directions and Puja Muhurat.

Ghatasthapana Rituals

This ritual needs mainly an earthen tube with a wide mouth to sift Sapta-dhanya (seven grains), clean soil, seven different grains, a small cubicle full of Ganga-Jal, a Moli or a holy thread, scent or perfume, some betels, coins, mango or Ashoka, a lid to cover Akshat or broken pieces of rice, a red cloth, and marigold.

Kalash Preparation

Before summoning the Goddess, a Kalash is made by placing clean soil at the bottom of an earthen cup.
After that, the grains are pressed onto the dirt. The method is repeated until the final layer of soil does not exceed the clay pot’s brim.
After adding some amount of water to a brass vessel, some betel nuts, scent, Durva grass, rice grains, and coins are immersed in the water-filled vessel.
Five to six mango leaves are placed at the mouth of the brass vessel to cover it.
A red cloth is wrapped around an unpeeled coconut by a holy thread.
It is then placed on the top of the Kalash.
Finally, the Kalash is put above the earthen pot and then the devotee can start the puja.

Chaitra Navratri Legend

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga was granted permission by Lord Shiva to spend nine days with her parents. During these nine days, Goddess Durga is said to have killed the monster Mahishasur, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Devotees believe that worshipping Maa Durga gives them inner power. Since then, the day of Navratri has become a full-fledged celebration.

One more legend is that Brahma began the development of the world in this period, according to the Brahma Purana. Matsyavatar and Ramavatar, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu, make up Chaitra Navratri. Chaiti Chhath, Lord Rama, and Hanumanji all worship the Suryopasana festival.