On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, the morning Aarti was performed with devotion at the Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi on Sunday, drawing devotees who gathered to offer prayers and celebrate the birth of Lord Ram.
Ram Navami marks the conclusion of Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to worshipping the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navdurga. Each day of Navratri is devoted to one of these incarnations, with the ninth day—Maha Navami—dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri.
Siddhidatri, revered as the ninth form of Durga, symbolizes spiritual knowledge and meditative power. She is believed to have vanquished the demon Mahishasura on this day. The name Siddhidatri translates to “giver of siddhis (spiritual powers),” and she is often depicted seated on a lotus.
Navratri, which means “nine nights” in Sanskrit, is celebrated across India with fervor, devotion, and regional variations. Among the four Navratris observed annually, Chaitra Navratri (spring) and Shardiya Navratri (autumn) are the most widely celebrated. Chaitra Navratri, also known as Ram Navratri, coincides with the arrival of spring and ends with the celebration of Ram Navami, honoring the birth of Lord Ram.
Throughout the nine days, devotees observe fasting, perform rituals like Ghatasthapana (invocation of Goddess Shakti), and engage in prayers and offerings to seek divine blessings.
As part of the festivities, Akashvani’s Aradhana YouTube channel has been broadcasting a special Navratri series from March 30 to April 6. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the series features devotional programming from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, including a dedicated segment, Shakti Aradhana, aired every morning from 8:30 AM to 8:40 AM.
Chaitra Navratri is not only a celebration of divine feminine energy but also symbolizes inner peace and strength, represented by various forms of the goddess such as Maha Gauri Mata. The festival continues to be a source of spiritual reflection and collective devotion across the country.