Chaitra Navratri is an important Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, usually falling between March and April. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion throughout India and other parts of the world. This festival lasts till nine nights (Navratri) and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in its various forms. The period from Chaitra Navratri to Hanuman Jayanti is full of various rituals, fasting and observation that help devotees to join their spirituality, purify the mind, and receive divine blessings.
We will find out the various fasts and VRTS seen from Chaitra Navratri to Hanuman Jayanti:-
Chaitra Navratri: A nine-night festival
Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navriri, is one of the most auspicious occasions in the Hindu calendar. It begins on the first day of the month of Chaitra (according to the Hindu Lunisolar calendar) and lasts for nine nights, concluding the ninth day at the celebration of Rama Navami.
During these nine days, devotees fast, pray, and engage in rituals dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navdurga. These forms represent various aspects of divine female energy, and each day is associated with a particular deity.
The most common practices during Chaitra Navratri include:-
– Fasting: Many devotees observe partial or complete fasting throughout the nine days, only fruits, milk, and specific foods that allow during VRAT.
– Pooja and Aarti: Daily Puja (Puja) and Aarti (Bhakti singing) are performed to honor Goddess Durga and seek her blessings for prosperity, health and spiritual development.
– Recitation of Holy texts: Devotees often recite Durga Sapatashati and Navratri fast story like prayer, mantras and holy texts.
Ram Navami: The ninth day of Chaiti Navratri
On the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, the birth of Lord Rama, known as Rama Navami, is celebrated with great enthusiasm. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama is considered an ideal man and a symbol of religion (righteousness). This day is not only important for the worship of Goddess Durga, but also for observance of Rama Navami fast, including fasting, reciting Ram Katha and worshiping Lord Rama.
Hanuman Jayanti: Lord Hanuman’s famous day
Hanuman Jayanti, which usually falls immediately after the conclusion of Chaiti Navratri, is an important festival in honor of Lord Hanuman. It marks the birth of Lord Hanuman, symbolizes power, devotion and courage. This day is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Chaitra and is celebrated by devotees all over India.
During Hanuman Jayanti, the devotees offered prayers and engaged in rituals and sought the blessings of Lord Hanuman to remove strength, courage and obstacles in their lives.
The fast list: from Chaitra Navratri to Hanuman Jayanti
The spiritual journey from Chaitra Navratri to Hanuman Jayanti is filled with many fasting practices (VRTS) which help devotees to cleanse their body and mind. Let us take a look at various VRAT observation which are part of this holy period:
1. Chaiti Navratri fast (nine days of Durga Puja)
– date: 30 March to 7 April 2025
– Duration: 9 days (Navami from Chaitra Pratipada)
– Overview: Fasting, prayer and worship of Goddess Durga in nine forms.
– Importance: Devotees want the blessings of strength, health, wealth and prosperity. VRAT helps in purifying the mind and body.
2. Ram Navami Vrat (ninth day of Chaiti Navratri)
– date: 6 April 2025
– Duration: 1 day (ninth day of Chaitra Navratri)
– Overview: Fasting, reciting Ram Katha, and worshiping Lord Rama.
– Importance: This fast is dedicated to Lord Rama and is believed to bring peace, protection and prosperity to the devotees.
3. Chaitra month fast
– date: 30 April to 7 March 2025
– Duration: Full month of Chaitra
– Overview: Some devotees observe a full month of fasting and prayers to obtain divine blessings.
– Importance: This VRAT is particularly important for devotees seeking spiritual development and divine protection.
4. Hanuman Jayanti fast
– date: 12 April 2025
– Duration: 1 day (15th day of Chaitra month)
– Overview: Fasting, visiting Hanuman temples, chanting Hanuman Chalisa and worshiping.
– Importance: The fast is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, seeking his blessings for the abolition of power, devotion and challenges.
5. Monday fast (Somwar fast)
– date: March 17, 24 March, 31 March 2025 and 7 April 2025
– Duration: Monday in the month of Chaitra
– Overview: Fasting on Monday, especially for women, in honor of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
– Importance: Devotees believe that this VRAT enhances marital bliss and fulfills desires.
6. Tuesday fast (Mangla Gauri fast)
– date: March 18, 25 March, 1 April and 8 April 2025
– Duration: Tuesday during the month of Chirda
– Overview: Fasting is celebrated on Tuesday, especially women for the good of their families and marital life to honor Goddess Gauri.
– Importance: It is associated with the welfare of VRAT family and prosperity.
The period from Chaitra Navratri to Hanuman Jayanti is a spiritual odissi filled with devotion, fasting and worship. Various VRATs seen during this time help the devotees to have a deep connection with the divine, purify their hearts and seek blessings for health, prosperity and spiritual development. Whether it is the worship of Goddess Durga during Navratri or asks for strength from Lord Hanuman, these observations provide a powerful path for spiritual fulfillment.
