Chaitra Navratri 2024: Chaitra Navratri marks the commencement of a nine-day Hindu celebration, commencing on the initial day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. Recognized as Vasanta Navratri, this festival will commence on April 9th and conclude on April 17th.

Each of the nine days of Navratri is dedicated to revering the nine manifestations of the divine feminine energy, Shakti.

Chaitra Navratri 2024, a nine-day observance, follows the subsequent schedule:

• April 9 (Tuesday): Ghatasthapana ritual marks the establishment of the Kalash (sacred pot), along with Shailputri Puja.
• April 10 (Wednesday): Brahmacharini Puja, honoring the ascetic form of Goddess Parvati.
• April 11 (Thursday): Chandraghanta Puja, venerating the Goddess with a half-moon-shaped ornament on her forehead.
• April 12 (Friday): Kushmanda Puja, paying homage to the creator of the universe.
• April 13 (Saturday): Skanda Mata Puja, reverence to the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), along with Naag Puja, worship of serpents.
• April 14 (Sunday): Katyayani Puja, celebrating the fierce form of Goddess Parvati.
• April 15 (Monday): Maha Saptami, the seventh day, along with Kaalratri Puja, honoring the dark and ferocious form of Goddess Durga.
• April 16 (Tuesday): Durga Ashtami, the eighth day, and Maa Mahagauri Puja, worship of the compassionate and radiant form of the Goddess.
• April 17 (Wednesday): Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, concluding the Navratri festivities.

Chaitra Navratri 2024 entails significant ceremonies, detailed as follows:

1. Ghatasthapana: Ghatasthapana, a pivotal ritual, inaugurates the nine-day festivity of Navratri. According to Hindu scriptures, it’s an invocation of Goddess Shakti, with timing holding paramount importance to avert unfavorable effects. Performing Ghatasthapana during Amavasya or nighttime is proscribed. The most auspicious time for Ghatasthapana is when Pratipada Tithi prevails during the first third of the day.
   • Ghatasthapana Muhurat: 6:02 am to 10:16 am
   • Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat: 11:57 am to 12:48 pm
2. Durga Ashtami: This year, Durga Ashtami falls on April 16. The tradition involves placing nine little pots and invoking nine Durga Shaktis within them. The Ashtami Puja encompasses adoration of all nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.
   • Ashtami Tithi begins at 12:11 pm on April 15
   • Ashtami Tithi ends at 1:23 pm on April 16
3. Ram Navami: Celebrating the birth of Lord Rama on Navami Tithi in the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month, Ram Navami holds profound significance for devotees. Many temples commemorate Lord Rama’s birth, symbolized by the middle of Madhyahan.
   • Ram Navami begins at 1:23 pm on April 16
   • Ram Navami ends at 3:14 pm on April 17