Dear Editor,
Followers and devotees of Sanatan Vedic Dharma (often represented by the four gargantuan pillars of: Gau – cow, Gita – Bhagavad Gita, Ganga – Ganges River and Gayatri – mantras), throughout the world, including those in Guyana, are proud and lucky once again to have the golden opportunity of celebrating Vasant or Chaitra Navratri. Navratri, the auspicious festival of commemorating nine nights/ days of the nine forms of Divinity of the Universal Mother, Durga Mata, is observed twice per year, in Spring (March/April as per the Gregorian calendar), and in Fall, October/November (Sharad Navratri).
This year 2026, Navratri commenced on March 19th, heralding the Hindu New Year, Vikram Samat 2083. It concludes, as usual, with the grand culmination of Ram Navami on March 27th. Ram Navami signifies the manifestation of Lord Vishnu, taking residence on Dharti Mata and appearing as a baby to appease the earthly mother, Queen Kaushalya. His story unfolds in the RamCharitManas as narrated by Lord Shiva to Parvati Ma and scribed in Sanskrit by Maharishi Valmiki. In the 15th century, it was rewritten by Tulsidas in the Awadhi language to make it accessible for the benefit of the general public.
Based on this year’s astrological combination of ramifications and permutations, Goddess Durga transcends from a higher celestial abode to arrive on a Palanquin (Palki), and then to depart on an Elephant, nine days later. Her stay presents the chance of making a journey from inner turbulence to grounded grace through mind management with Ambe Maa being the guide and using the festival as the method. As Her Palki sways, there is no fear of endangerment as this personifies the mind not yet grounded in spiritual divinity. Adi Shakti is signaling that it’s time for rearrangement.
While most of the customs and rituals are fundamentally the same for both seasons, traditions and practices may vary as per the different ways and means practiced in the different parts of India and inherited by the descendants who migrated and settled in various parts of the world. In Maharashtra, for instance, the first day is called Gudi Padwa; and in Kashmir, it is known as Navreh. The first day of Chaitra Navratri falls during the full moon phase, which is known as Shukla Paksha phase, marking the first day of the Hindu calendar.
Ghatasthapana is one of the significant pujas during Navratri, and it marks the beginning of the nine days of festivity. This is the invocation of Goddess Shakti, and must be performed as per the stipulated rules and guidelines of the scriptures.
Nav (nine) Ratri (night), is a dedicated period to specifically revere the Divinity of Mata Durga, who is the Universal Mother. In Shaktism, the word Ratri (night) is symbolically derived from the root ra, “to give,” and is taken to literally mean “the giver” of bliss, peace and happiness. This period reflects discipline as devotion in action.
This is the time when Hindus go the extra mile to prepare themselves mentally, spiritually and physically to undergo this period of penance to include cleansing, fasting, and praying in order to seek the blessings of Mata Uma. Attention is also paid to the surroundings, for cleanliness and the restriction of anything sacrilegious or the consumption of anything considered unholy.
Devotees would make a special effort and flock all the mandirs throughout the country, paying obeisance, serenading her numerous names, and glorifying her heroic stories while praying to Ambe Maa to satisfy our quest for Her to shelter us under her umbrella of protection and shield us from any form of endangerment.
Durga Maa enjoys being addressed by 108 names, with each adorned with its individual significance. As the Trinity of Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, the divine mother blossomed from the attributes of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and was gifted with the presents of all the deities and devas.
Identified as AdiShakti (Primal Power), the goddess of war, her manifestation centers around combatting evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, progress, and prosperity. The triumph of good over evil, the success of righteousness over unrighteousness, the spread of light over darkness, the restoration of faith in confidence and the reinstatement of Dharma over Adharma, provide the pinnacle for the essence of Navratri.
And so, the first three nights are dedicated to the feet of Durga Maa, the protector of mankind, who was called upon to reveal Her prowess in her nine divine transformations to battle the forces of physical and psychological negativity. The second three nights are exalted to the devotion of Lakshmi Mata, the bestower of health, wealth and prosperity, whom we beseech for material growth, for sustenance and survival, to provide the convenience of comfort. The last three nights are lauded to extol the praises of Sarasvati Ma, the provider of knowledge, who removes nescience and paves the path of acquiring intelligence, so that we function responsibly in society and maintain moral uprightness.
Inasmuch as the joy and fervor remains enthusiastically inclined for devotees to celebrate in all its pomp and glory, we are daily reminded of the demonic prevalence and transgression in society of the types of Madhu & Kaithaba, Dhumralochan, Chanda and Munda, Mahishasur, Raktabija and Shumbha and Nishumbha. Nevertheless, this is the ideal occasion to learn about all The Universal Mother’s features, characteristics, significance, purpose, and scriptural history through the puranas of Maa Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
As we observe this festival in a calmer and more reflective atmosphere, let us renew a quest for a fresh beginning for spiritual growth and self-discipline and allow positivity to conquer any negativity.
Children performing Saraswati Ma Pooja at the Leonora Hindu Temple on the 7th night of Chaitra Navratri and Pt. Balbadar Ramdial delivering the Pravacana.
Shubh Chaitra Navratri 2026 Guyana.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.
