Significance of Vasant Navratri

March 18, 2015 Incredible India Valli Sarvani No comments

Navratri falls two times: In spring and in autumn. The Navratri that falls in spring season is known as Vasant Navratri. This year it begins on Friday, March 21 and ends by Sri Rama Navami, March 28. Vasant Navaratri is also known as Chaitra Navratri as it comes in the first month of Hindu lunar calendar i.e. in Chaitra, and generally falls in the month of March or April. Thus, it signifies the onset of Hindu New Year. It is a symbol of victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Since, the festival is worshipping Shakti, the power of woman, it honors the inner strength.

During these nine days, devotees worship Goddess Durga (the Goddes of Power), Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth) and Goddess Saraswatu (Goddess of Knowledge) throughout the country especially in Northern parts of India like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. Most devotees observe fast during Navratri and chant Navratri Mantras.

Vasant Navratri is celebrated with great fervor in the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu. Jains celebrate Ayambil festival during this time with great fervor. They only intake pulses and cereals and don’t prepare any food with ghee or spices as they believe this festival is the time for cleansing.

People decorate their houses with lamps on this festival. They wear new clothes and make varieties of traditional recipes. They perform special rituals and pujas and offer seasonal fruits to ‘Maa Goddess’. They visit the homes of their friends and relatives and exchange sweets.

The festival starts with ‘Ghatsthapna’ where devotees place a terracotta pot in front of their homes with a glowing lamp inside. They believe that the pot represents Universe and lamp symbolizes the inner knowledge. It ends with Ram Navmi, the birthday of Lord Sri Rama.

References: Blog.buzzintown.com, About.com and Indianholiday.com

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