Vasant Navratri March - April 2013

Vasant Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratras, begins on April 11, 2013. This festival of nine nights in Hinduism is dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is also known as Chaitra Navratras or Spring Navratri or Basant Navratri. As this Navratra coincides with Ram Navami, it also referred as Ram Navratri. The dates are from  April 11, 2013  to April 19, 2013.

Vasant Navratri is observed in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March – April). It is believed that Goddess Durga was originally worshipped (Durga Puja) in the Chaitra month and was also referred as Basanti Puja. It was Lord Ram who changed the period of Durga Puja.
Vasant Navratri  2013 dates
  • Ghatsthapana – Navratri Day 1 –  April 11, 2013
  • Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya -  April 12, 2013
  • Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya -  April 13, 2013
  • Varadvinayak Chaturthi -  April 14, 2013
  • Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan -  April 15, 2013
  • Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti -  April 16, 2013
  • Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chath, Vijaya Saptami -  April 17, 2013
  • Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami -  April 18, 2013
  • Vasant Navratri ends – Ram Navratri Day 9 –  April 19, 2013
Lord Ram wanted to get the blessings of Goddess Durga before beginning the war with Ravana. Therefore he invoked Goddess Durga during Ashwin (October – November). This is why the Durga Puja during October is also known as Akal Bodhon or untimely invocation.

The Vasant or Spring Navratri is widely observed in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Most Hindu devotees in this part of India undertake Navratri Vrat or fasting. The festival occurs during the beginning of summer season. And it is said that the fasting helps in adapting the body to the changing climate.

Some of the important Temple fairs in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are organized during this period.
Almost all the rituals observed during Navratri (held in October-November) are also observed during Vasant Navrati.

One of the important events in Haryana and Punjab is the worshipping of little girls. These little girls symbolically represent Goddess Durga and are known as ‘kanjaks.’ It is performed on the eight day or the Ashtami day.

Note - The most important Navratri which coincides with the Durga Puja in 2012 begins on October 16 and ends on October 23.

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31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the informative post. However, make sure you include Rajasthan too! :-)

Anonymous said...

You should include Uttar Pradesh too..

Anonymous said...

Is there a special Puja at the end of Vasant navratri? on 14 or 15 of April?

abhi said...

No special poojas. Vasant Navratri ends with Ram Navami in most places. All nine days have equal importance.

CyberCaptain said...

I saw this 24th April 2010 in Mumbai and read it is Chaitra Navratri, but nowhere do I read why the devotees pull carts with hooks stuck through their skin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_vw-E0uKhA

NP said...

Hello Abhilash,

In Aril 2011, the Chaitra Navratri Kanjak Ashtami Puja falls on which date ?

abhilash said...

@ NP It is on April 11, 2011.

Anonymous said...

Very helpful Information. Thank you so much

Anonymous said...

I want to know last date of fasting on 11th or 12th of april..

Anonymous said...

Do i have to offer a different dhar everyday?

Seema said...

The last date of fasting is April 12.

Sushma said...

No you don't need to offer Dhar daily. You can do it on a convenient date or on Ashtami and Navami day.

imed mba gambhir groups said...

thanks for the information ........

Anonymous said...

jay maa ambe

Anonymous said...

when to Eat after the fast of 9 days
Can we eat on 9th day or
We have to eat on 10th day of upvaas

Janvi said...

The fast ends on the 9th day. You can stop upvas on 10th day morning.

Prem Kumar Chaudhry said...

I have posted comments on 5th apr11 but u have not posted on the blog till today.BUt is the hindrance for approval.Do u take so much time.?Amaging.

abhilash said...

@ Prem Kumar Chaudhry...All comments on April 5 were approved. But i never got one in your name.

Prem Kumar Chaudhry said...

These days I m in USA and I have a talk with my friend in CANADA. I find that Navratras r celebrated all over the World but to talk of Punjab Himachal etc.Fast material is available in every country.Pl amend your blog accordinly.JAI MATA DI

Prem kumar chaudhry said...

Ram navmi ke pawan abser per aap sab ko hardik shubh kamnaiyen

Prem kumar chaudhry said...

Happy Baisakhi

Rajesh said...

i like it your post thanks

kaku said...

happy navratre to all my friends .... mata rani aap sab ki zindgi khushiyon se bar de ...jai mata di

Anonymous said...

i like very most of chaitra navratra .by & large it is most thunder of hindu Goddess worship that take under custody and inspired our soul during seven days.

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Alex said...

Happy navratre 2012 to all. Jai Mata Di.

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Ravindra said...

happy navratre to all my friends ....

Ravindra said...

happy navratre to all my friends ....

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gargsan said...

Are these Dates for India Standard time ? Is Shri MahaAshtami on 30th or 31st in US ?

Abhilash Rajendran said...

Mahaashtami in US in 2012 is on March 30 as per local US Panchangs.

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