Basanti Puja (also called Chaitra Durga Puja) is celebrated during Chaitra Navratri. This year, 2025, it will be observed from April 3 to April 6. This history behind this puja:Durga Puja was originally performed in the spring season (Basant) to mark the Spring Equinox. However, Lord Ram worshiped thee Goddess Durga inAshwin (October–November) when he invoked the Goddess for blessings before his battle against Ravana in the Ramayana. Durga Puja in Ashwin month (October – November) is called Akal Bodhon, meaning untimely invocation, because Lord Ram worshipped her during this time.Basanti Puja is well-known in eastern India especially in West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand. During this time, Goddess Durga is also worshipped for nine days in northern and western India, starting from Chaitra Shukla PakshaPratipada.
The rituals followed during Durga Puja in the Ashwin month are not observed in the Chaitra month. However, in some regions, people keep fast on Ashtami and Navami. Chaitra is also the last month of the Bengali calendar. Some traditionalsarvajanin puja mandaps and old families still perform important rituals during this time.Annapurna Puja is also an important ritual observed during this period.
Basanti Puja is mentioned in many ancient scriptures. It is believed that King Suratha, an ideal and nonpareil ruler, was the first to worship Goddess Durga. He performed the rituals in Chaitra (March) during spring and this came to be known as Basanti Puja. People have been following this tradition for a very long time.
At the famous Malini temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, in Arunachal Pradesh, a big fair is held during Basanti Puja which is called MaliniMela. Devotees from both plain and hills offer obeisance to the goddess during the period.
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