Vasant Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratras, begins on April 11, 2013. This festival of nine nights in Hinduism is dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is also known as Chaitra Navratras or Spring Navratri or Basant Navratri. As this Navratra coincides with Ram Navami, it also referred as Ram Navratri. The dates are from April 11, 2013 to April 19, 2013.
It is believed that Goddess Durga was originally worshipped (Durga Puja) in the Chaitra month and was also referred as Basanti Puja. It was Lord Ram who changed the period of Durga Puja.
Vasant Navratri 2013 dates:
- Ghatsthapana – Navratri Day 1 – April 11, 2013
- Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya - April 12, 2013
- Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya - April 13, 2013
- Varadvinayak Chaturthi - April 14, 2013
- Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan - April 15, 2013
- Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti - April 16, 2013
- Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chath, Vijaya Saptami - April 17, 2013
- Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami - April 18, 2013
- Vasant Navratri ends – Ram Navratri Day 9 – April 19, 2013
The Vasant or Spring Navratri is widely observed in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Most Hindu devotees in this part of India undertake Navratri Vrat or fasting. The festival occurs during the beginning of summer season. And it is said that the fasting helps in adapting the body to the changing climate.
Some of the important Temple fairs in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are organized during this period.
Almost all the rituals observed during Navratri (held in October-November) are also observed during Vasant Navrati.
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