Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 2 highlights: How India celebrated second day of Navratri

Spices add flavour to your food and adds to the experience of eating. But not all spices are allowed during Navratri fasting. Here're spices to eat and avoid during the nine-day fasting. 

Spice to avoid 
Garam masala, Coriander powder (dhania), Turmeric (haldi), Asafoetida (hing), Mustard (sarso), Fenugreek seeds (methi seeds) 

Spices to eat 
Cumin powder, black pepper powder, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ajwain, black peppercorns, kokum, nutmeg

The Dwitiya Tithi on Day 2 begins at 5:32 pm and the moonrise will take place at 6:51 pm. The Vijaya Muhurat will last from 2:30 pm to 3:21 pm. The Ravi Yoga is from 3:05 am on April 11 and ends at 6:00 am on April 11

Fasting during Chaitra Navratri can detox your body and purify your mind, but it's important to add the right foods to your diet and take sufficient rest to maintain energy levels. From hydration to high-protein foods, here are all the wellness tips to follow while keeping Navratri fast. Read more

Royal blue is the colour of the Day 3 of Chaitra Navratri which represents the celestial aura of Goddess Brahmacharini, who dispels ignorance and darkness and leads her devotees to enlightenment. Here are five tips to style this vibrant shade.

1. Mix royal blue with neutrals for a timeless look. 
2. Add metallic accents for a touch of glamour. 
3. Experiment with bold contrasts for modern flair. 
4. Invest in statement pieces for versatility. 
5. Use royal blue accessories for a pop of colour.

During Navratri, it is considered auspicious to purchase red and yellow clothing for oneself and for offering to Maa Durga, as well as prasad for both family and community. Conversely, it is advised to refrain from buying items such as iron, electronics, black clothing, rice, and sharp objects during this period.

As we observe Chaitra Navratri, a time of spiritual renewal and fasting, it's crucial to prioritize balance and nourishment for both body and soul. While sabudana (tapioca pearls) has been a customary fasting food, it's high in starch and lacks vital nutrients. Here are some healthier alternatives like amaranth, buckwheat, fruits and more to honour tradition while promoting overall well-being.

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with much pomp and fanfare in every corner of the country.  For tourists seeking an authentic cultural experience, Navratri provides numerous possibilities to explore and uncover the essence of Indian tradition. Discover India's vibrant Navratri festivities here.

Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated annually from the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. This year it began on 9 April and will end on April 17. If you are celebrating the festival, check out the dates and details of the nine days of fasting here.

Chaitra Navratri fasting period is the time to detox, worship Maa Durga, spend some time in spiritual reflection, and rejuvenate the body and the mind. From hydrating fruits and veggies to probiotics like buttermilk and curd, here are a list of foods that must be consumed and those who should be avoided.

If you and your loved ones celebrate Chaitra Navratri every year, this time make it extra special by sending them our special collection of best wishes, heartfelt images, quotes, SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook status, and more. Check it out here

People with diabetes need to be cautious while obsering 9-day fasting during Navratri as it can lead to dangerous spikes or dips in blood sugar levels. While managing your blood sugar levels while fasting can be a challenge, these recipes will help support diabetes management. Read more

During the nine days of Navratri, devotees fast as it is believed that those who fast during this time will have their wishes granted by Goddess Durga. From delicious rajgira puri to wholesome farali dosa, here are five vrat-friendly recipes tailored to keep you healthy and energised throughout the Chaitra Navratri fasting period.

During Chaitra Navratri, devotees worship Maa Durga and her nine glorious forms. For these nine days, a colour is assigned to each day which has a specific significance. To make sure you look trendy and on theme, here are nine celeb-inspired outfit ideas for each day of Navratri.

During the nine days of Navratri, Hindu devotees believe that each of the nine forms of Goddess Durga is associated with a particular colour that symbolises good fortune. To honour this significance, participants in the festivities typically wear clothes of the particular colour associated with each day. Check out the day-wise colours and their significance here.

Decking up your home for Navratri is a vital tradition throughout the nine-day festivities. To assist you, we've curated designs inspired by the nine forms of Goddess Durga, floral motifs, peacock designs, and more. Explore them here.

According to Hindu texts, Maa Parvati, daughter of Himalaya, endured intense penance before marrying Lord Shiva. She subsisted solely on fruits, flowers, herbs, and bilva leaves for extended periods. Observing her extreme devotion, the gods intervened, assuring her desires would be fulfilled and she would wed Lord Shiva, earning her the names Aparna and Brahmacharini.

Brahmacharini Mata is said to bestow wisdom and understanding on her devotees. The goddess is also known by the names Devi Tapasvini and Devi Yogni. By worshipping her devotees can lead to power, intelligence, and good health as she rules over Mercury and Mars.

From Maa Durga adorned mehndi designs that depict feminine power and strength to floral patterns that never go out of style, here are some trendy and stunning mehndi design ideas that can brighten up your Chaitra Navratri festivities.

Here are some dos and don'ts one needs to follow during the nine-day-long fasting of Chaitra Navratri 

1) Take a bath every morning before puja, clean the puja area, recite Maa Durga mantras, perform aarti and offer the goddess bhog made of sweets and other satvik foods. 

2) One should consume vrat-friendly and satvik ahaar, including Kuttu, sabudana or sago, rajgira, makhana, arbi, pumpkin, aloo, singhare ka atta, samak ke chawal, nuts and dry fruits, rock salt, cumin, buckwheat, ginger, green chillies are some of the food people consume during their Navratri fast. Learn more here.

Chaitra Navratri Day 2 sees crowds at Guwahati's Kamakhya Temple in Assam. Devotees throng to offer prayers and seek blessings amidst the festive atmosphere.

Devotees swarm Maa Naina Devi Temple, Nainital, Uttarakhand on Day 2 of the Chaitra Navratri festival. The sacred site bustles with worshippers seeking blessings on this auspicious occasion.

On the second day of Chaitra Navratri, Delhi's Jhandewalan temple sees a surge of devotees. Worshippers gather to offer prayers and seek blessings on this auspicious occasion. The temple premises are decorated with festive fervour as the celebrations continue.

On the second day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped. She is believed to like jaggery and hence bhog with jaggery in it is offered to Maa Brahmacharini. Here's an easy recipe of making Nolen Gur Payesh at home which can be offered to Maa Brahmacharini as bhog.

1) Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah 

2) Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama 

3) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah 

4) Tapashcharini Tvamhi Tapatraya Nivaranim Brahmarupadhara Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham Shankarapriya Tvamhi Bhukti-Mukti Dayini Shantida Jnanada Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham

On the second day of Chaitra Navratri, devotees worship Lord Shiva and Maa Brahmacharini, according to Drik Panchang. They also fast in order to seek blessings. In a kalash, devotees offer rice, sandalwood and jasmine flowers to Maa Brahmacharini. The deity is also offered abhishek made of milk, curd and honey. During Navratri, a special sugar bhog is also cooked for the goddess.