Chaitra Navratri 2023: How Is Chaitra Navratri Different From Sharannavaratri?

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Chaitra Navratri is the time Goddess Durga descends from Kailas to Earth and stays on for nine days with her devotees to bless them with wealth and knowledge. This was the day Dharma was established on the earth, the virtuous were restored their peace of mind, and the wicked learnt their lesons the hard way. This reminds one of "Yada yada hi dharmasya Glaanirbhavati Bhaaratha........"

Krishna says in bhagavadgita that he will arrive on earth whenever there is a deterioration of Dharma on the planet.... This festival is a divine proof to the fact that truth wins over at last, which reminds us of Satyameva Jayathe. This was the day Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura and Rama won over Ravana, killed him and rescued his wife.

Out of the four Navratris, of Chaitra, Sharad navratris are the most important. Starting from Goddess Shailputri, to Goddess Siddhidatri all her forms one by one showcase the feminine strength during the nine-day period. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in March and April whereas Sharad Navratri is in September and October. Let us find more interesting facts on the two Navratris.

Prime Differences Between Chaitra Navratri And Sharad Navaratri

1. Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri arrives in the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra every year. Known as Gudi Padwa in Maharastra,as Ugadi in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, this nine day long festival of Navratri is also known by an other name of Rama Navratri. Chaitra Navratri arrives during Summer to spring transition with blessings that are known to protect the devotee for the entire year. Vasanta or Chaitra Navaratri, is mostly observed in northern India and western India Vasanta Navaratri (March-April) and Sharad Navaratri (September-October) hold the masses enthralled and in high spirits. Chaitra Navratri starts with Rama Navratri and ends with Rama Navami, the day on which Sri Rama was born.

2. Sharad Navratri

This is the most predominant Navratri that is known as the fullfledged Maha Navratri as per the Vedic panchang. It starts during winters during the Aswin month at the beginning of September/October and right after the Mahalaya Amavasya. Sharad Navratri is celebrated by a different name, that of Durga Puja in Assam and Bengal.

The celebrations are much similar to the Ganesha festival where in big pandals are built and huge idols of Durga are placed on the stage. Cultural programs go on uninterrupted and Then the idol is taken out for visarjan to a local nearby waterbody, to immerse it and bid farewell. It is festive spirit prevailing not only in the house, but even in public concerts, skits and recitations and fairs happening across the city that add the required festive splendor.

Sharad Navaratri, also called Maha Navaratri, is celebrated mostly in Eastern, Northern and Western regions. This Navratri comes with a different list of Goddesses to be worshipped. Nine forms of Goddess namely Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagadamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani and Mookambika, are worshipped as Durga slayed the Demon Mahishasura after nine days of fiercely fought battle.

Lord Ram, just before one to one encounter with Ravana, worshipped the nine forms of Durga to attain victory in the battle. It was on the Dashami day that he killed Ravana and won back Sita. This is the reason why it is called Vijay Dashami, the day Rama attained Vijaya or victory over Ravana or the icon of Adharma.

The Power Of Navratris

Although this festival is celebrated with gusto and verve, it is the prayers and chants that lead you back inwards into the nirguna form of Goddess. So what starts as an outwardly festive celebration, will finally succeed in directing you inwards. This is the charm of Indian festivals. They do not stop at gaiety they delve deeper than that to lead you to the innermost recesses of your soul.

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