The vibrant festival of Chaitra Navratri has begun today, with devotees across the country celebrating the nine auspicious days with great zeal and devotion. The nine-day festival commenced with the offering of morning aarti at temples, including in the national capital, where large numbers of devotees gathered to seek blessings. Navratri, which means ‘nine nights’, is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively known as Navdurga.

Each day is devoted to a different manifestation of the Goddess, symbolising power, purity and wisdom. Though four Navratris are observed annually, Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri are the most widely celebrated. Chaitra Navratri holds special significance as it coincides with the onset of spring and the beginning of the Hindu New Year, symbolising spiritual purification and new beginnings, which is celebrated in various forms across the country.

Devotees observe fasts during the nine days, consuming satvik food. Special prayers, bhajans and aarti are performed daily, with homes and temples reverberating with devotional fervour. The festival also marks the worship of the divine feminine power, Shakti. It will conclude with Ram Navami, marking the birth of Lord Ram.