Religious, Astrological and Spiritual Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Mother Durga is worshiped on 9 days of Navratri. According to Bhagwat Purana, 4 Navratras are celebrated in a year, including 2 Gupta Navratras including Sharadiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri is as special as Holi-Diwali in India. Whose fame is seen in most places of India. Different forms of Maa Durga are worshiped on the nine days of Navratri. From chanting of mantras to worshiping and offering bhog, each and everything has its own significance. According to the Bhagavata Purana, four Navratras are celebrated in a year, including two Gupta Navratras, Sharadiya Navratras, and Basanti Navratras, also known as Chaitra Navratras. All four Navratris are based on the seasons.

Astrological Significance
Chaitra Navratri has special significance from the astrological point of view because Sun's zodiac sign changes during or around this Navratri. The calculation of the new year's almanac starts from Chaitra Navratri. From this day onwards, the king, minister, general, rain, and the lord of agriculture are determined and food, wealth, trade and happiness, and peace are assessed in the year. The reason for worshiping the Goddess and Navagrahas in Navratri is also that the position of the planets should remain favorable throughout the year and there should be prosperity in life.

Religious Significance
Navratri has its own importance from the religious point of view, because at this time Aadi Shakti, who has covered this whole creation with her illusion, with whose power the creation is moving, who is the goddess who gives enjoyment and salvation, is earth, so she is worshipped. And the desired fruit is obtained from worship sooner than on other days. As far as Chaitra Navratri is concerned, it has special importance from the religious point of view because on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Adishakti appeared and at the behest of the Goddess, Brahma ji started the work of creation.

That's why the Hindu New Year starts with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. On the third day of Chaitra Navratra, Lord Vishnu established the earth by taking his first incarnation in the form of a fish. After this, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, that of Lord Rama, also took place in Chaitra Navratri. That's why Chaitra Navratri is very important from a religious point of view.

Spiritual Significance
In this Navratri, apart from the 9 powers of the Goddess, 9 Vidyas are also worshipped. 9 medicines are also included in the worship. In this Navratri, efforts are made for spiritual progress in addition to meditation, contemplation, and meditation. Sadhana of the seeker is more fruitful in this Navratri.

On the first day of Navratri, there is a law to visit Maa Shailputri Devi. There is an ancient temple of Maa Shailputri Devi in Varanasi. It is believed that every wish of the devotees is fulfilled by having the darshan of the goddess. This is the reason that there is an influx of devotees here during Navratri.

Masan Holi: Why is Holi played with the ashes of pyre in Kashi?

Holi is played in different ways in every region of India. Along with religious importance, this festival is also of mutual brotherhood and harmony. Along with Holi with colors, Holi is also played with the ashes of pyre. At the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Shiva devotees play Holi with the ashes of the pyre, which is called Masan Holi. It is believed that on this day Bholenath blesses his devotees from the great crematorium. They reach Manikarnika and play Holi with gulal as well as pyre ashes.

It is believed that on the day of Rangbhari Ekadashi, Lord Shiva takes Maa Gauri to his abode by making her Gouna. Shiva along with the gods and humans play Holi on that day. But the ghosts, who are considered dear to Shiva, are unable to participate in this festival, so the next day Shiva plays Masan Holi with them on the Marghat with the ashes of the pyre. With this belief, in the 16th century, Raja Man Singh of Jaipur built the Masan Temple in Kashi, where devotees play Masan Holi every year.

Devotees start gathering at the Ghat in the early morning, during this time everyone plays Masan Holi with ashes, this festival of Holi with burning pyres beside gives goosebumps. But fear dwarfs in front of the enthusiasm of the devotees. This amazing view of Moksha Nagri Varanasi stuns every beholder. People from all over the world come to see this special Holi.

Holi festival is associated with Lord Krishna all over the country, but in Banaras, it is celebrated in the celebration of Lord Shiva's cow. In Banaras, the festival of colors Holi starts a few days before Ekadashi. The festival begins with the ritual of Gauri's gauna. She leaves her father's house and comes to Shiva's abode. First of all, Shiva reaches Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, then the next day Rudrabhishek is performed before Gauna. Shiva and Parvati are brought to the main temple in a silver palanquin. In this procession, devotees keep blowing colors and gulal. People also put flower petals and colors on the Shiva procession from the roof of the houses. Shiva enters the main temple amid the sound of drums and drums. Then worship takes place in the sanctum sanctorum. After this Lord Shiva orders Varanasi to play Holi.