Basanti Puja, or Vasant Durga Puja, is observed during the Chaitra Navratri. In 2024, Basanti Puja is on April 14 and will end on April 17. There is a popular belief that Goddess Durga was mainly worshipped during the Basant or Spring Season. But it was Lord Rama who changed the Durga Puja period. Lord Ram wanted the blessings of Goddess Durga to defeat Ravana therefore he invoked Goddess Durga during Ashwin (October – November).
Sri Basanti Devi Durga Puja Desmipuja bisarjan – April 18
Sri Basanti Devi Durga Puja Amantran Adhibas – April 14
Sri Basanti Devi Durga Puja Saptami Puja, Nabapatrika – April 15
Sri Basanti Devi Durga Puja Ashtami Puja, Sandhi Puja – April 16
Sri Basanti Devi Durga Puja Navami Puja – April 17
Nowadays, the Vasant Durga Puja, or Basanti Puja, is not a major festival. Therefore all the rituals associated with the Ashwin month Durga Puja are not performed in the Chaitra month.
The Durga Puja in Ashwin month is also known as Akal Bodhon, or untimely invocation, as Lord Ram had invoked her during the Ashwin month.
Basanti Puja is held during the last four days of Vasant Navratri. Some of the rituals followed in Bengal during Durga Puja are followed in North India during the Vasant Durga Puja – like worship of Girl child and Ghatasthapana.