Often considered as the land of festivals, India is all set to celebrate Chaitra Navratri 2018. Navratri is a Hindu festival that is dedicated to the reverence of Goddess Durga and her nine divine avatars for a period of nine days. Worth mentioning here that there are 4 Navratri in a year but only two of them Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are observed widely from corner to corner of the country. This year Chaitra Navratri would begin from 18th March and go on till 26th March 2018. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra that falls usually around March and April.

Usually Gudi Padwa falls around 15 days after Holi. There is no specific Shubh Muhurat for Gudi Padwa as it is believed that the entire day is auspicious and lucky.

The period of nine days of Navratri is considered to be very blessed for Hindus, and they do all that they can to pacify their much-loved goddess. People wake up and bathe early morning and offer prayers with Devi-mantras to appease the deity.

They perform special poojas and havans to welcome Goddess Durga to take protection and blessings in their homes.  People offers in terms of delicious bhog, fruits and flowers to the deity. Devotees also observe ritualistic fasts as a mark of showing their affection and devotion for the divinity.