Why Do We Celebrate Navratrim Two Times a Year?

Let’s Investigate!

One of the most extensively observed Hindu holidays since the Vedic era is Navratri. It honors Goddess Durga’s divine and feminine might. This festival is observed for nine days because the word Navrati itself denotes Nava, which means Nine, and Ratri, which means Night.

Furthermore, Sharad Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Magha Gupt Navratri, and Asadha Gupt Navratri are the four Navratris that are typically observed each year. Nonetheless, the two most significant Navratri are Sharad Navratri (September/October) and Chaitra Navratri (March/April). Let’s find out what distinguishes these two Navratris from one another.

The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Here are Maa Durga’s nine avatars, and each day is dedicated to one form. Therefore, each day is considered auspicious and significant.

Nine Forms of Maa Durga

Meaning

Goddess Shailputri Awakening consciousness to discover life’s purpose
Goddess Brahmacharini Provider of all fortunes
Goddess Chandraghanta Associated with peace and purity
Goddess Kushmanda Creator of the Universe
Goddess Skandamata Image of motherhood
Goddess Katyayani Symbolises intelligence and peace
Goddess Kalaratri Destroyer of negative energies
Goddess Mahagauri True Goddess of kindness and morality
Goddess Siddhidhatri Removes ignorance and provides knowledge

Motives for holding two Navratri celebrations each year
Here is comprehensive information about the number of Navaratri celebrations in a year, along with the rationale for commemorating two Navaratri celebrations.

The logical justifications for double Navaratri celebrations

We celebrate Sharad Navaratri and Chaitra Navratri for this natural reason.

1. Variations in Seasons

The primary rationale of commemorating Navratri twice is the change of seasons. First of all, Chaitra Navaratri is observed in March and April, when the winter season ends and the spring or summer season begins.
Then, as summer gives way to winter, there’s Sharad Navaratri, the second Navratri, which is observed in September and October. Furthermore, since Maa Durga is the Avatar of Vishnu, this seasonal shift is connected to her of nature itself and its various elements.

2. Length of Day and Night

The transition of weather from summer to winter and from winter to summer makes the length of day and night equal during this period. This means that both the navaratri falls during the equinox.
Thus, scientifically, both the navratri marks the intersection of summer and winter. This becomes a good reason for scientists to not only celebrate the festival but also mark it as a special observation.

3. Auspicious Climate during both Navaratri

Both the Navaratri falls during the time when it’s perfect for celebrating the festival of Maa Durga. With the blessings of the Goddess, we also get to see pleasant weather during this time.
Chaitra Navaratri falls when it’s not so hot, while Sharad Navaratri falls when winter is yet to come. Therefore, this marks the best time to ask Maa Durga for favours through puja, aarti, and fasting. This, in turn, helps detoxify the body and offers various mental and physical health benefits.

4. Mythological reasons for celebrating Navaratri twice

The mythological reason for celebrating Navratri twice explains the story tales that took place during both the Navaratri.

• Stay of Goddess Durga at her Mother’s House

With Lord Shiva’s permission, Goddess Durga stayed at her mother’s house (Maika) for nine days during both Chaitra Navaratri and Sharad Navaratri. However, devotees celebrate the stay of Goddess Durga as her mother’s home during these nine days of chaitra navaratri. This means that Goddess Durga visits her parents’ house twice a year.

Victory of Goddess Durga and Fight of Lord Ram

The Navaratri have a mythological story where during the Chaitra Navaratri, Goddess Durga won the battle against the demon Mahishasura. This celebrates the good over evil. On the other hand, during the Sharad Navaratri, Lord Ram had to leave for Lanka to fight the battle against the multi-headed rakshasa, Ravana. He couldn’t wait six long months to receive Goddess Durga’s blessings, so he observed the nine-day Navratri to seek her blessings.

Difference Between Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri

Here’s what differentiates the Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri from one another. It’s not just the names; a lot of factors make them different.

• The word ‘Chaitra’ is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning the start or beginning of anything. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar calendar. It falls on the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra (March- April). On the other hand, Sharad Navratri, which falls in October, falls on the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month (September- October).

Looking at the significance of both Navratris, Chaitra Navratri solely revolves around an individual’s spiritual desires. On the other hand, Sharad Navratri focuses on worldly desires.

• The last day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navami to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama. On the other hand, the previous day of Shardiya Navratri and Diwali is seen as Vijaydashami to celebrate the victory of Maa Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

• Chaitra Navratri is more popular in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, while Sharad Navratri is more important in Gujarat and West Bengal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many Navratri in a year?
Navratri is celebrated twice a year: Chaitra Navratri, which falls between March and April, and Sharad Navratri, which falls between September and October.

2. Why do we celebrate Navratri?
Navratri is widely celebrated and is one of the most significant festivals among the Hindu community. This is the time when Goddess Durga is believed to be on the Earth and blesses her devotees with wisdom, wealth and good health.

3. Why is Navratri observed for nine days?
The meaning of the name Navratri itself is that ratri means night and nava means nine. Devotees worship Maa Durga in her nine avatars, or many manifestations, over the course of these nine days and nights.

4. Why is there two celebrations of Ram Navami?
Twice a year, people celebrate Ram Navami. The birth of Lord Ram is commemorated at the Chaitra Navratri festival. On the other hand, Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan and his return to Ayodhya following his defeat of the demon king are commemorated during Sharad Navratri.

5. Why is fasting during Navratri logical?
During Navratri, those who observe an intermediate fast or consume satvik food purify their bodies, minds, and spirits. They experience an overall body purification and a rise in vitality and awareness.

6. Which state is Navratri well-known in?
Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in southern India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Gujarat and West Bengal observe Sharad Navratri as Durga Puja and Dusshera, respectively.