Chaitra Navratri 2020: Day and date
This year Chaitra Navratri would start from March 25, 2020 (Wednesday) and would end on April 2, 2020 (Thursday). The Ashtami falls on April 1, 2020, while Ram Navami would be celebrated on April 2, 2020.
In Ambaji, there are Four Navratri Festivals, namely, Sharad (in Ashwin Month), Vasantik ( in Chaitra) Maha & Ashadh, ritually celebrated as per the Shakti Sampraday Traditions. The ritual worships of Ambaji is usually performed with Sat Chandi Yagna and other worships, in Yagnashala of the Chachar Chowk, which is decorated and illuminated with colorful lightings from all corners, during these period of Navratri . The devotees also enjoy Devi Darshan, Ohm Havan and Traditional Garba Dances
Ambaji is an important temple town with millions of devotees visiting the Ambaji temple every year. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Ambaji Mata temple is a major Shakti Peeth of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometres from Palanpur, 45 kilometres from Mount Abu, and 20 kilometres from Abu Road, and 185 kilometres from Ahmedabad, 50 kilometers from Kadiyadra near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border.
In the holy temple of "Arasuri Ambaji", there is no image or statue of goddess the holy "Shree Visa Yantra" is worshiped as the main deity. No one can see the Yantra with naked eye. The photography of the Yantra is prohibited.
The Arasuri Ambe Mata or Arbuda Mataji is kuldevi of Barad Parmaras. The one Parmar state is located near the ambaji town I.e.Danta and which also serves as capital of whole parmar clan.
The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on Gabbar hilltop in the town. A large number of devotees visit the temple every year especially on Purnima days. A large mela on Bhadarvi poornima (full moon day) is held.
Every Year from all over the country people come here walking all over from their native place just to worship MAA AMBE in September. The whole Ambaji town is lit up as the nation celebrates the festive time of Diwali.
Legend has it that the Hindu god Lord Shiva had allowed his wife Parvati to visit her parents for nine days around this time. Hindu scriptures also say that the period of Chaitra is when Goddess Durga had killed the buffalo-headed demon Mahisasura.
The nine nights of celebrating Shakti, thus came to be known as nava (nine) ratri (nights) or Navratri.
The nine-night long festival falls four times in a year. Even though Sharada Navrarti (September-October) is the one which is celebrated with the most pomp and grandeur, Chaitra Navrarti, which falls between March and April, too is observed in many parts of the country.
The other Navratris celebrated in India are the Magha Navratri and the Ashada Navratri.
NINE DAYS OF CHAITRA NAVRATRI 2020
Day 1, March 25, 2020 (Pratipada)- Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshana Shailputri Puja
Day 2, March 26, 2020 (Dwitiya)- Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja
Day 3, March 27, 2020 (Tritiya)- Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej Chandraghanta Puja
Day 4, March 28, 2020 (Chaturthi)- Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi
Day 5, March 29, 2020 (Panchami)- Naag Puja, Lakshmi Panchami Skandamata Puja
Day 6, March 30, 2020 (Shasthi)- Skanda Sashti, Yamuna Chhath Katyayani Puja
Day 7, March 31, 2020 (Saptami)- Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja
Day 8, April 1, 2020 (Asthami)- Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja Annapurna Ashtami, Sandhi Puja
Day 9, April 2, 2020 (Navami)- Rama Navami
Day 10, April 3, 2020 (Dashami)- Navratri Parana
Chaitra Navratri is more popular in northern India.
Like every other Hindu festival, devotees get up early in the morning and after taking a bath, worship and offer prayers. They do Shodashopachara puja today starting with Ganesh Vandana, prepare a special bhog and conclude the puja with arati.
