Navratri comes four times in a year! Learn what is the biggest difference between Chaitra, Sharadiya and Gupta Navratri

Whenever it comes to Navratri, a picture of big festivals happening twice a year is made in our mind – one in Chaitra and the other Sharadiya. We all celebrate them with great enthusiasm, keep fast and worship the nine forms of Maa Durga. But do you know that there are not two, but a total of four Navratri in a year?

Yes, this is true! According to the Hindu calendar, there is a Navratri when the change of every season. Two of them are called ‘manifest’ (public) and two are called ‘Gupta’ (private) Navratri. Come, let’s understand the difference between them in simple words.

1. Manifest Navratri (Chaitra and Sharadiya)

These are the Navratri that we all know and celebrate. They are called manifest because they are for the family members and are celebrated with pomp in public.

• Chaitra Navratri: This Navratri falls in the beginning of Hindu New Year (March-April). It is also called Vasant Navratri. It ends with the festival of Ram Navami.

• Sharadiya Navratri: This is the most famous Navratri, which is celebrated before Dussehra (September-October). It is a symbol of the victory over the demon Mahishasura of Mother Durga and is celebrated all over the country with grand pandals, garba and Ramlila.

The main objective: Satvik is worshiped in these two Navratri. Devotees worship Maa Durga for the happiness, peace, prosperity and good health of the world.

2. Gupta Navratri (Magha and Ashada)

As the name is obviously, this Navratri is ‘secret’. It is not for the common people, but especially for seekers, saints and tantra-mantras.

The main objective: In Gupta Navratri, not the nine forms of Maa Durga, but their ten Mahavidyas (powerful and fiery ladies like Kali, Tara, Chinnamasta) are secretly practiced. Its purpose is not to achieve worldly happiness, but rare siddhis, powers and self-knowledge. The worship performed in it is kept very confidential.

In short, to say, The manifest Navratri is for the welfare of society and family, while Gupta Navratri is for personal spiritual progress and siddhis.