Chaitra Navratri or Vasanta Navratri is a nine-day long Indian Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her incarnations. It is celebrated during the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar which falls in March-April, according to the English calendar. 

Dates

This year the festival will be celebrated from March 18 to March 25.  

Chaitra Navratri will be observed for eight days this year. ‘Ashtami’ (Eighth Day) and ‘Navmi’ (Ninth Day) will be observed on a common day on March 25.

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasanta Navratri as it marks the beginning of Spring which is known has ‘Vasant’ in Hindi. Navaratri translates to nine nights in English. 

Each day of the nine-day long festival has special significance. Devotees worship nine incarnations of Goddess Parvati over the course of nine days. 
They also observe fast for nine days and worship the deity with offerings of water, milk, fruits, sweets, and flowers. 

Rituals 

According to Hindu scriptures, it is advised to perform the puja early morning within the sixteen Ghatis of Sunrise. This time is considered auspicious and called Ghatasthapana Muhurt which is the time between sunrise and the first part of the day. 

The festival concludes on the ninth day which is marked as ‘Ram Navami’, the birth of Lord Rama.