Chaitra Navratri will take place during Kharmas this year.
The month of Chaitra is of great importance because it is believed to be the time when Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya.
Chaitra month is very important in Sanatan Dharma. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and Chaitra Navratri festival on the first day of the month. During Chaitra Navratri, people worship nine different forms of Goddess Durga over nine days. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Durga during this time helps one get rid of their problems and brings good fortune and prosperity. An astrologer from Kasi named Pandit Sanjay Upadhyay mentioned that the first day of Chaitra month starts on April 8, 2024, at 11:51 PM and ends on April 9 at 8:29 pm. So Chaitra Navratri and Hindu New Year will start on April 9, 2024. This year, Chaitra Navratri will take place during Kharmas, which falls from March 14 to April 13.
Pandit Sanjay Upadhyay explained that during Chaitra Navratri, there is a tradition of worshipping nine different forms of Goddess Durga with specific rituals. Devotees fast, meditate and chant mantras for nine days to honour and please the Goddess. It is important to set up a Kalash (a holy water vessel) on the first day of Navratri. The morning hours from 6:24 am to 10:28 am on April 9 are considered very auspicious for setting up the Kalash.
He also mentioned that this Chaitra Navratri is special due to some rare astrological events. On this day, there will be a unique alignment of Amrit Siddhi and Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga along with Abhijeet Muhurta. The Abhijeet Muhurta is between 12:03 pm and 12:54 pm. Amritsiddhi and Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, which are considered very auspicious, will continue throughout the day from 7:32 am on April 9.
The month of Chaitra is of great importance because it is believed to be the time when Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya. After the beginning of the Hindu New Year, the Sun moves into the sign of Aries, known as Mesha Sankranti. Chaitra sees the occurrence of the first Somvati Amavasya of the year (a new moon day on a Monday) and the first solar eclipse. This month is filled with various festivals and important days for fasting.
