Chaitra Navratri 2024: What’s Goddess Durga’s Vahan This Year – News18

The Navratri festival holds significant importance in Sanatan Dharma or Hinduism. It is observed four times a year, with Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri being the most prominent, along with two Gupt Navratris. According to the Hindu calendar, Chaitra Navratri is set to commence in a few days. This year, Chaitra Navratri will begin on Tuesday, April 9, and conclude on April 17, coinciding with Chaitra Ram Navami. According to religious belief, Navratri is a time when devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Jagadamba, considered to be the mother of the world. Pandit Kalki Ram, astrologer from Ayodhya, explains that according to the Hindu calendar, Chaitra Navratri begins on April 9. The Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month starts at 11:50 pm on April 8 and ends on April 9 at 8:30 pm. The auspicious time for establishing the Ghat is from 6:02 am to 10:16 am. The Abhijeet Muhurta is from 11:57 am to 12:48 pm.

According to mythological beliefs, when Navratri commences on either a Saturday or a Tuesday, Goddess Durga is said to arrive on a horse. It will be her vehicle or vahan this time. Based on this tradition, it is believed that this year Goddess Durga will descend to Earth riding on a horse, as Navratri begins on a Tuesday.

During Chaitra Navratri, there is a traditional rule for worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga, which are as follows:

Shailaputri: The first form of Goddess Durga, worshipped on the first day of Navratri.

Brahmacharini: The second form, worshipped on the second day.

Chandraghanta: The third form, worshipped on the third day.

Kushmanda: The fourth form, worshipped on the fourth day.

Skandamata: The fifth form, worshipped on the fifth day.

Katyayani: The sixth form, worshipped on the sixth day.

Kalaratri: The seventh form, worshipped on the seventh day.

Mahagauri: The eighth form, worshipped on the eighth day.

Siddhidatri: The ninth and final form, worshipped on the ninth day, also known as Navami.

These forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped with specific rituals and prayers during Chaitra Navratri, following this prescribed order over the nine days of the festival.