Navaratri 2019: The Difference Between Sharad and Chaitra Navratri Explained
The term Navratri is almost always associated with Sharad Navaratri in India. But did you know there are two Navratris? In India, the nine-day festival is celebrated four times. But the two major ones are celebrated once in summer and once at the onset of winter. Apart from Sharad Navratri, the other important Navratri is Chaitra Navratri celebrated between March and April, ending in Ram Navami. Both festivals involve nine days of fasting, worshipping Goddess Shakti and celebrations. But there’s also a world of difference between the two. Let’s break it down for you.
What is Chaitra Navratri?
Chaitra Navaratri, which is celebrated in the summer months of March and April, is also called Vasantha Navratri because it coincides with spring. It is observed in the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month. The festival also marks the Hindu New Year, which is also celebrated as Vishu, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi or Navreh in different states. Chaitra Navratri is observed to celebrate the changing of seasons – when spring gives way to summer. Like Sharad Navratri, Chaitra Navratri also involves the nine-day worship Shakti. But it concludes with Ram Navami, the birth of Lord Rama.
What is Sharad Navratri?
Sharad Navratri, unlike Chaitra Navratri, is celebrated with a lot of pomp and is the more well-known festival of the two. Also known as Maha Navratri, Sharad Navratri is celebrated in the month of Ashwin – between September and October. It also marks the beginning of Sharad or winter months in India. Sharad Navratri is also celebrated to mark the changing of seasons – when monsoons leave and winter sets in.
Sharad Navratri is also celebrated as Durga Puja in Bengal. In rest of the country, Navratri means fasting, feasting, worshipping and playing the daandiya raas – a re-enactment of Lord Krishna’s dance with the gopis.
Difference Between Sharad and Chaitra Navratri
| Sharad Navratri | Chaitra Navratri |
| Celebrated in Ashwin month | Celebrated in Chaitra month, the first month of Hindu calendar |
| Celebrates arrival of winter after monsoons | Celebrates arrival of summer after spring |
| Ends in Dussehra | Ends in Ram Navami |
| Dandiya Raas is a part of celebrations | Does not involve Dandiya Raas |
| Celebrated in the middle of the year | Marks the beginning of the year |
These are not the only two navratris celebrated in India. In total, there are four navratris – Chaitra, Ashada, Magha Gupta and Sharad. Ashada Navratri is celebrated between June and July to worship Goddess Varahi. Magha Gupta is observed between January and February, and is the lesser-known of the four.
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