<strong>Chaitra Navratri: One Festival Different Celebrations</strong>

India is a land of diverse culture and traditions. Festivals are celebrated here in unique and different ways across different states of the country. And celebrating them like this is very common in India.

Chaitra Navratri is one of the colourful and auspicious festival of the season that is celebrated across the India. These nine days are celebrated with vigour and enthusiasm that marks the onset of spring season as per the Hindu calendar. But some states celebrate it differently.

In North it is celebrated as Chaitra Navratri while in Maharashtra it is celebrated as Gudi Padwa and as Ugadi or Yugadi in South India.

CHAITRA NAVRATRI:

It is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals that is celebrated across India. These nine days are celebrated in unique and different ways across different states of India. With vigour and enthusiasm the festivals marks the onset of spring season as per the Hindu calendar. The festival of Chaitra Navratri is devoted to worshipping the nine incarnations of Durga. Every day is dedicated to the worship of one of the incarnations.

There is a story behind all nine avatars including Maa Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Sddhidatri.

GUDI PADWA:

The state of Maharashtra and Goa celebrate this time as Gudi Padwa.

It is the Marathi new year where people wear new clothes and celebrate the festival with much vigour making special delicacies.

UGADI OR YUGADI:

In certain parts of South India, this festival marks the beginning of the new year, too. Ugadi or Yugadi has a special significance in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Tracing its etymology one can find the roots from two Sanskrit words – ‘Yuga’ and ‘Adi’ meaning new beginnings.

During this festival people celebrate the goodness in life with great vigour. It also commemorates the onset of springs and relief from cold-harsh winters. As a part of celebration, people get together, exchange gifts and wear new clothes.

During Navratri, in several states nine incarnations of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Meanwhile, some people also associate it with the birth anniversary of Lord Ram. The son of King Dashratha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya.