Chaitra Navratri 2023: Date, Time, Facts & Rules Of Fasting You Should Know

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated across the country by the Hindus. This year, the festival will begin on March 22, 2023, and culminate on March 30, 2023, with Ram Navami.

Navratri is celebrated with utmost zeal by the Hindus across the country twice a year. The first one is during the month of Chaitra, when spring departs and the second is during the month of Sharad, when autumn arrives. Chaitra Navratri, this year, will begin on March 22 and conclude on March 30.

Chaitra Navratri 2023 Date

Chaitra Navratri, this year, will begin on March 22 and conclude on March 30.

• Pratipada (Navratri Day 1): 22 March 2023
• Dwitiya (Navratri Day 2): 23 March 2023
• Tritiya (Navratri Day 3): 24 March 2023
• Chaturthi (Navratri Day 4): 25 March 2023
• Panchami (Navratri Day 5): 26 March 2023
• Shashti (Navratri Day 6): 27 March 2023
• Saptami (Navratri Day 7): 28 March 2023
• Ashtami (Navratri Day 8): 29 March 2023
• Navami (Navratri Day 9): 30 March 2023

Chaitra Navratri 2023 Time

The ghatasthapana muhurat or the first-day muhurat for Chaitra Navratri is between 06:29-07:42 am.

Many devotees fast during the nine days of the Chaitra Navratri to seek the blessings of Maa Durga. While some fast for selected days, others choose to fast throughout the nine days. If you are fasting this Navratri for the first time and aren't aware of the rules and facts of this traditional ritual then we have got you covered.

Chaitra Navratri Fasting Rules

• Those fasting aren't allowed to eat wheat or rice. They can only eat flour or grains that are allowed while fasting like kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), amaranth flour, or certain millets like samak or barnyard.
• One should skip regular salt if fasting and stick to sendha namak or rock salt. Speaking of spices, only a few of them are allowed during Navratris. Those fasting, can use spices like cumin powder, black pepper powder, green cardamom powder, cloves, anardana or dry pomegranate seeds powder in their food.

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• All milk and dairy products can be consumed during Navratri fasting.

• Fast food items like pizzas, burgers, and cakes aren't allowed during fasting. Foods prepared using onion and garlic are a complete no-no.
• Devotees fasting are allowed to consume any fruit as per their choice.
• Those observing Navratri fasts shouldn't eat non-vegetarian food.
• Instead of regular cooking oil, devotees fasting should use desi ghee, sunflower oil, or peanut oil to prepare their food.
• For snacks, foods prepared using sabudana or tapioca pearls, peanuts, melon seeds, raw coconut, and makhanas aka foxnuts can be consumed.

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Chaitra Navratri Facts

Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasant Navratri because it is celebrated when spring departs.

The first day of the Chaitra Navratri is the first day of the Hindu new year and the month of Chaitra. According to the calendar, it marks the first day of the Hindus.

Each day of the Navratri is dedicated to each form of the goddess Durga.