Chaitra Navratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated with
great enthusiasm and devotion across India. It is a nine-day long festival that
begins on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls in late
March or early April. During this time, people observe fasts, perform puja, and
offer prayers to the nine forms of the Goddess Durga.
Which
goddess is worshiped on the first day of Chaitra Navratri?
Mata
Shailputri is worshiped on the first day of Chaitra Navratri.
Who
is mata shailputri
Shailputri
means 'daughter of the mountain'. Mother Shailputri is the daughter of Shailraj
Himalaya. That's why she is called
Shailputri. According to mythology, Maa Shailputri was the wife of Lord Shiva
and daughter of Daksha in her previous birth. Once when Daksha organized a
Mahayagya, all the gods were invited in it, but not Lord Shankar. Sati was
getting anxious to go to the Yagya. Seeing the strong request of Sati, Lord
Bholenath allowed her to go to the Yagya.
The festival of Navratri is celebrated twice a year, once in
the month of Chaitra (March-April) and again in the month of Ashwin
(September-October). The significance of the festival is the victory of good
over evil, and it is believed that Goddess Durga fought against the demon
Mahishasura for nine days and emerged victorious on the tenth day, which is
celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Ram Navami, on the other hand, is a festival that celebrates
the birth of Lord Rama, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, who is
considered to be a symbol of virtue and righteousness. The festival falls on
the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, which is also known as Ram Navami.
The question arises as to why Ram Navami is celebrated
during Chaitra Navratri. The answer to this question lies in the ancient Hindu
scriptures and mythology.
According to Ramayana, the Hindu Epic, Lord Rama was born on
the ninth day of Chaitra month in Ayodhya, which is present-day in Uttar
Pradesh. It is believed that Lord Rama was the 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu and born
as the elder son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya. Lord Rama spent his
entire life fighting against evil forces and is considered a symbol of virtue,
morality, and righteousness.
The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated with great
enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus all over the world. People offer prayers to
Lord Rama and seek his blessings for prosperity and happiness. The festival is
marked by the recitation of Ramayana, the sacred text that narrates the life
and deeds of Lord Rama.
The reason why Ram Navami is celebrated during Chaitra
Navratri is that Lord Rama is considered to be an incarnation of Goddess
Durga's husband, Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, the nine forms of
Goddess Durga represent the feminine aspects of the universe, while Lord Shiva
represents the masculine aspect. Therefore, the celebration of Ram Navami
during Chaitra Navratri symbolizes the union of the feminine and masculine
aspects of the universe, which is essential for the balance and harmony of the
world.
In addition to this, the celebration of Ram Navami during
Chaitra Navratri is also significant because it represents the victory of good
over evil. Lord Rama fought against the demon king Ravana, who had kidnapped
his wife Sita and had held her captive in his kingdom of Lanka. Lord Rama's
victory over Ravana is considered to be the ultimate triumph of good over evil,
and it is believed that Lord Rama's victory over Ravana was made possible due
to the blessings of Goddess Durga.
In conclusion, Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious festival
that is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by Hindus all over the
world. The celebration of Ram Navami during Chaitra Navratri symbolizes the
victory of good over evil and the union of the feminine and masculine aspects
of the universe. It is a time when people come together to pray and seek the
blessings of Goddess Durga and Lord Rama for happiness, prosperity, and
harmony.
