According to Hindu calendar Navratri is celebrated four times in a year, but the most significant in terms of public celebration are Chaitra and Sharad Navratri.
Chaitra Navratri marks the first day of Luni-Solar calendar of the Hindus, which generally falls in March or April. This year Chaitra navratri will begin from March 28.
Similarly, Sharad Navratri starts during the months of September-October. The ninth day during Chaitra Navaratri is celebrated as Ram Navami as the birthday of Lord Rama while Sharad Navratri culminates in Dussehra or ‘Vijayadashmi’.
Shailputri Puja takes place on the first day (pratipada) of Chaitra Navaratri, i.e will be worshipped on March 28, Tuesday this year. This form of Goddess Parvati is recognized as – rides a bull, carries a Trishul (trident) in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand. After self-immolation in form of Goddess Sati, Shailputri is born as the daughter of Lord Himalaya and her name is derived, from the Sanskrit word ‘shail’ meaning mountain and ‘putri’ meaning daughter – hence, Shailputri is daughter of mountain.
On the second day (Dwitiya) of Chaitra Navaratri, Devi Brahmacharini is worshipped by the devotees. It will be celebrated on March 29, Wednesday. She was created by Lord Brahma and considered to be the source of ultimate knowledge and wisdom. This form of Maa Parvati is recognized as – she walks on bare feet, carries a Rudraksha mala in her right hand and a kamandalu in her left hand.
The third day (Tritiya) of Navratri, Devi Chandraghanta is worshipped by devoted followers. This year it will be celebrated on March 30, Thursday. This form of Goddess Parvati is recognized by – she mounts a tigress, a half-moon (Chandra) adorns her forehead, which also appears like a bell (ghanta), hence her name – Chandraghanta.
On the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Chaitra Navaratri, devotees worship Devi Kushmanda, i.e will be worshipped on March 31, Friday this year. Goddess Kushmanda is recognized as – She mounts a lioness and has eight arms – her right hands carry a kamandalu, Dhanush, Bada and Kamal while her left hands hold Amrit Kalash (pot of nectar), rudraksh mala, Gada and Chakra.
The fifth day (Panchmi) of Chaitra Navaratri is celebrated in the honour of Devi Skandamata. It will be celebrated on April 1, Saturday this year. This form of Goddess Parvati is recognized – She mounts the ferocious lion and carries a baby, known as Skanda in her lap. Lord Skanda is son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.
The sixth form of Navdurga is Devi Katyayani, who is worshipped on the sixth (Shasthi) day of Chaitra Navaratri. This will be celebrated on April 2, Sunday this year. Goddess Katyayani is recognized – Goddess Katyayani mounts on a ferocious lion and has four hands.
On the seventh day (Saptami), Devi Kalaratri is worshipped as the seventh manifestation of Goddess Durga. This year it will be celebrated on April 3, Monday. Goddess Kalaratri is recognized by her dark black complexion and she rides a donkey.
The eighth day (Ashtami ) of Chaitra Navaratri is celebrated in honour of Devi Mahagauri. It will be celebrated on April 4, 2017, Tuesday. This form of Goddess Durga is recognized – Mahagauri rides the bull, just like Goddess Shailputri the (first form of Navdurga). She has four hands
The ninth and final form of Goddess Durga is Devi Siddhidatri, who is worshipped on the ninth day (Navami) of Chaitra Navaratri. This year it will be celebrated on April 5, 2017, Wednesday. This form of Navadurga is recognized as she sits on a lotus flower and rides on the lion.