Chaitra Navratri 2027

The Story and Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is the Navratri of spring, nine nights and days devoted to the divine mother, Maa Durga, worshipped in her nine forms, the Navadurga. Like the autumn Sharad Navratri, it remembers the Goddess and her victory over evil, but it carries a special joy of its own, for it ends on the ninth day with Ram Navami, the birth of Lord Rama. It begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada with Ghatasthapana, the establishing of the sacred kalash that holds the energy of the Goddess through the nine days.

Through the nine days devotees keep a fast on fruits and faral food, light the akhand jyot (an unbroken lamp), and worship the Goddess with devotion morning and evening. Chaitra Navratri is seen as an especially good time to invoke Shakti, to calm a restless mind and to begin a new spiritual practice with discipline. As spring renews the earth, these nine days are meant to renew the spirit before the year ahead.

Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri in Gujarat

Gujarat keeps two Navratris a year, and they have very different moods. Sharad Navratri in autumn is the great public festival of Garba and Dandiya, when whole towns dance through the night. Chaitra Navratri in spring is gentler and more inward. Here it is observed mainly through fasting, the akhand jyot at home, and worship at Shakti temples such as Ambaji, Bahucharaji, Pavagadh and Umiya Mata, rather than with the Garba grounds. For many Gujarati families it is a quiet, devotional Navratri that builds toward the joy of Ram Navami on the ninth day.

Chaitra Navratri Vrat 2027

• Ghatasthapana is done on the morning of the first day, 7 April 2027, in the auspicious muhurat. Check the Panchang for the exact time for your city.
• Keep a fast on fruits and faral food through the nine days, and light the akhand jyot.
• Worship the nine forms of Durga, recite the Durga Saptashati or Devi aarti morning and evening.
• Break the vrat after Ram Navami on the ninth day, 15 April, as per your family tradition.

The Nine Forms of Maa Durga (Navadurga)

1. 1 Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountains, worshipped on the first night.
2. 2 Brahmacharini, the goddess of penance, devotion and inner strength.
3. 3 Chandraghanta, who wears the crescent moon like a bell and grants courage.
4. 4 Kushmanda, the cosmic creator whose gentle smile is said to have lit the universe.
5. 5 Skandamata, the mother of Kartikeya (Skanda), giver of love and protection.
6. 6 Katyayani, the warrior form born to sage Katyayana to destroy evil.
7. 7 Kalaratri, the fierce form who destroys darkness, fear and ignorance.
8. 8 Mahagauri, the radiant and peaceful form who grants purity and grace.
9. 9 Siddhidatri, who bestows all siddhis, the spiritual powers and fulfilment.

Mantra to Chant

Chaitra Navratri 2027: Frequently Asked Questions

Chaitra Navratri Date: Year by Year