Chaitra Navratras March - April 2012 – Basanti Puja and Ram Navratri

Chaitra Navratras, also known as Ram Navratri or Basanti Puja, is observed in the Chaitra Month. Chaitra Navratras 2012 begins on March 23 and ends on April 1. It is observed from the first to ninth day during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Chaitra month (March – April) as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The ninth day is observed as Ram Navami and therefore the festival is also known as Ram Navratri. The festival is popularly known as Chaitra Navratri.

This festival of nine nights in Hindu religion is dedicated to Goddess Durga and it takes place during the spring season therefore it is also known as Vasant Navaratri. In some regions the nine days are dedicated to the worship of Lord Ram and includes the reading of Ramayana and observance of Ramayan week.

The popular belief is that Goddess Durga was worshipped – Navratri and Durga Puja – was held in the Chaitra month and it was known as Basanti Puja. But Sri Ram invoked Goddess Durga in Ashwin month (September – October) to get her blessings in the fight against Ravana. This led to the shifting of Durga Puja and Navratri from Chaitra to Ashwin month.

Today, Ram Navratri is observed mainly in North India and includes worship of various forms of Goddess Durga. The main pujas in some regions are dedicated to Lord Ram as His birthday is observed on the ninth day of Chaitra month – Ram Navami.