Navratri 2024 Highlights: Hindu devotees throng temples on Chaitra Navratri Day 1; pray to Maa Durga, Maa Shailputri

Maa Brahmacharini is the unmarried form of Maa Durga. She is worshipped on the second day of Chaitra Navratri. For this year, Chaitra Navratri started on April 9. On April 10, the shubh muhurat to perform the puja is from 6:27 AM to 7:52 AM, during the Amrit Kaal.

On the second day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped. One of the forms of Maa Durga, Maa Brahmacharini is depicted as a woman in white clothes carrying rosary beads made of rudraksha and kamandalu. For offering the puja, here are the mantras that should be chanted. Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah॥ Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu। Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama॥

On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, thousands of devotees visited Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir and offered their puja, PTI reported.

On the auspicious day, devoteees start the day early with a holy bath. then they offer jasmine flowers, rice, and sandalwood to the Goddess. A Abhishek is done for Maa Brahmacharini with honey, milk and curd. A Bhog with sugar or jaggery is prepared for the Goddess.

Maa Brahmacharini is the unmarried form of Maa Durga. she is depicted as a woman in white saree with rosary beads made of rudraksha in one hand and a kamandalu in another hand. it is believed that maa Brahmacharini did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Seeing her dedication, Lord Brahma blessed her and she became Lord Shiva's consort.

On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Shailputri is worshipped. Maa Shailputri, a form of Maa Durga, was Sati, the daughter of King Daksha in her former life. She took rebirth as daughter of Himalaya to marry Lord shiva. Shail means mountains and putri means daughter. Maa Shailputri is the daughter of mountains.

Sunny Deol shared wishes for his fans on his X Profile. “Wishing everyone a very happy & prosperous Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi, Navrati, Ugaadi, Navreh & Cheti Chand. May this new year bring luck, success & happiness for us all,” read his post.

As Chaitra Navratri falls in warmer months, it's important to increase intake of hydrating fruits and vegetables during this time. During the fasting period, grains like wheat and rice, non-vegetarian foods, eggs, onion, garlic and other tamasic foods are prohibited. All you want to know about the foods to eat and avoid during Navratri fasting. Read more

Sabudana or sago, is one of the popular vrat foods that are relished by people while observing Navratri fast. But did you know that being a high glycaemic index food, it can raise your blood sugar levels? Besides, sabudana also lacks essential nutrients. To make sure you are following a balanced diet in Navratri, you should add nutrient-dense options like amaranth, buckwheat, water chestnut flour, sweet potatoes, and fruits. Read more

President Droupadi Murmu took to her X Profile and shared her heartfelt greetings - she wrote, “I extend my best wishes to all my countrymen on Chaitra Shukladi, Ugadi, Gudi-Padwa, Cheti-Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheroba. These festivals celebrated to welcome the spring season and the New Year are symbols of India's cultural and social diversity. I wish that these festivals bring happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone's life."

Temples across the state of Himachal Pradesh such as Trilokpur, Chintpurni, Nainadevi, Brijeshwari, Shoolani, and Kali Bari saw huge footfall of devotees on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, reported PTI.

Chaitra Navratri kickstarted on April 9. On the first day of the festival, Maa Shailputri is worshipped. Maa Shailputri can be offered Sabudana Khichdi as bhog. Here's an easy recipe of making Sabudana Khichdi at home.

Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Chaitra Navratri. She is believed to like jaggery and sugar. Hence, Nolen Gur Payesh can be offered to the Goddess as bhog. See recipe here.

 the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Shailputri is worshipped. Shail means mountains and putri means daughter. On the first day, these mantras are chanted while worshipping Maa Shailputri.

Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah.

Vande Vanchit Labhay Chandrardhkritshekhram. Vrisharudham Shuldharam Shailputri Yashaswini.

Mirzapur District Magistrate stated that they made preparations for devotees to visit Maa Vindhyavasini temple on the occasion of Chaitra Navaratri. Arrangeements for darshan and offering puja has been made.

On the second day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped. Maa Brahmacharini is a form of Maa Durga who is depicted in white clothes with a japmala in one hand and a kamandalu in another. It is believed that Maa Brahmacharini likes jaggery, and hence, bhog is made wth jaggery and sugar.

Actor Randeep Hooda extended his wish on the occasion of the Hindu New Year on X. He wished his fans ‘positivity and kindness’ on the ocasion of Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Gudi Padwa, and Navreh. 

Decorating your home during Navratri is an essential ritual during the nine-day celebrations. So, we decided to help you out by curating designs inspired by the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, floral patterns, Peacock designs, and more. See here. 

Applying henna or mehndi on your hands is a big part of Hindu celebrations. So, we decided to round up gorgeous patterns you can take inspiration for the nine-day festival. From floral designs to keeping it minimal, click here for are our suggestions for mehndi designs for Chaitra Navratri.

Devotees thronged temples across the country today to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Maa Durga and Maa Shailputri. Check out pictures from temples cross the country here. 

With the advent of Chaitra Navratri, the Hindu New Year Vikram Samvat 2081 has also begun. This day is also celebrated as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh.

The 5 healthy alternatives to sabudana suggested by a nutritionist are amaranth, buckwheat, water chestnut flour, sweet potatoes, and fruits. These items can help keep you full and also boost your overall well-being. Learn more about their benefits here. 

From the first day of Chaitra Navratri, April 9 till Ram Navami, April 17, Ram Lalla's idol will wear clothes or vastras made of special hand-woven and hand-spun khadi cotton, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust said. These vastras will be decorated with real silver and gold khaddi hand block prints. The block prints used in printing the vastra are inspired by Vaishnav Chinha.

Hindu devotees thronged Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar, on the occasion of the first day of Chaitra Navaratri. They can be seen offering prayers and seeking blessings. 

In a post written in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, “New year, new enthusiasm, new joy. Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Cheiraoba, Cheti Chand and Sajibu festivals. May the New Year bring happiness, peace and prosperity in the life of all of you.” See here.