Navratri 2017 Dates - Sharad Navratri 2017 - Vasant Navratri 2017

What is Navratri?

Navratri is a very famous festival celebrated by Hindu community. Navratri's literal meaning is "nine nights". These nine sacred nights are dedicated to Goddess Durga (also known as Shakti). Navratri is celebrated five times in a year. Let us see what are they and when they are celebrated:

When is Navratri in 2017

Sharad navratri 2017:

This year Sharad Navratri will start on September 21, 2017 and ends on September 30, 2017.

• Ghatsthapana - September 21, 2017
• Maa Brahmacharini - September 22, 2017
• Maa Chandraghanta Puja - September 23, 2017
• Maa Kushmanda Puja - September 24, 2017
• Skandamata Puja - September 25, 2017
• Katyayani Puja - September 26, 2017
• Kalaratri Puja - September 27, 2017
• Maa MahaGauri Puja - September 28, 2017
• Maa Siddhidatri Puja - September 29, 2017
• Vijay Dashmi - September 30, 2017

Chaitra navratri 2017:

This year Chaitra navratri or Vasant navratri will start on March 28, 2017 and ends on April 05, 2017.

Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri is the upcoming navratri and starting in the third quarter of this month. During this navratri the nine days are divided among the nine forms of Goddess Durga and are worshipped each day accordingly:

• Day 1 (28th March 2017): Pratipada or Kalash Sthapna and Shailaputri Puja
• Day 2 (29th March 2017): Brahmacharini Puja (Dwitiya)
• Day 3 (30th March 2017): Maa Chandraghanta Puja (Tritiya)
• Day 4 (31th March 2017): Kushmanda Puja (Chaturthi)
• Day 5 (1st April 2017): Skandamata Puja (Panchami)
• Day 6 (2nd April 2017): Kathyayani Puja (Shashthi)
• Day 7 (3rd April 2017): Kaalratri Puja (Saptami)
• Day 8 (4th April 2017): Maha Gauri Puja (Ashtami)
• Day 9 (5th April 2017): Maa Siddhidatri Puja Ram Navmi (Navmi)

Legend behind the Chaitra Navratri:

The story that calls for the celebration of Chaitra Navratri is of Prince Sudarshan. Prince Sudarshan who was son of King Dhruvasindu, unintentionally repeated the Beej mantra of the Divine Goddess and was adored by her. After the death of King Dhruvasindu , King Yudhajit of Ujjain attacked his kingdom and had a fight with King Virsena of Kalinga. King Yudhajit won the battle and Queen Manorma, who was the mother of Prince Sudarshan and daughter of King Virsena, had to leave that place along with Sudarshan and a Eunuch. She took the help of Rishi Bhardwaj and stayed in his Ashram. There only, Prince Sudarshan heard the name of eunuch in Sanskrit i.e. Kleeba and misunderstood it with Kleem. Prince Sudarshan started repeating it and thus gratified the Divine Goddess and was blessed by her with godly and endless weapons.

Prince Sudarshan grew up and attended the Swayamvar of Princess Shashikala, who was the daughter of King of Banaras. The Princess chosen Prince Sudarshan as his husband and they both got married. When King Yudhajit came to know about this, he attacked on Banaras. But, Prince Sudarshan got the help of Divine Goddess, who totally ruined the army of King Yudhajit along with him. The Prince was throned as the king of his father's kingdom and performed a Yagna in the dignity of the Divine Goddess during Chaitra Navratri.

Hopefully, this article on Chaitra Navratri 2017 will help you in the best possible way and will leave you in good spirits to celebrate this auspicious festival of nine days.

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