Chaitra Navratri 2011- vasant navratri, starting of hindu new year

Navaratri is celebrated four times a year. They are Ashad Navaratri, the Ashwin Navaratri, the Magh Navaratri and the Vasantha Navaratri. Of these, the Ashwin Navaratri and the Vasantha Navaratri of the Chaitra are very important. The other two navratra's are known as gupt navratra meant for sadhaks. it is said in Agni Purana that the Ashvin and Chaitra are like the two jaws of Lord Yama. By worshipping on these two navratras one is protected from the disfavour of yama.

Durga Saptshati puja.

During these auspicious days, extensive prayer is offered to request earnestly Goddess Durga for blessings. In the period of Navratri consecrated chants of Durga Saptashati are done which is a part of Markandeya Purana. The mantras in the book narrate how Goddess Durga was empowered and provided with divine weapons by our Trinity of Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) to decimate Mahishasura and various other demons. Along with Shri Durgasaptshati, Shrimad-devi Bhagwat, Devi Mahaatmya and other texts invoking Goddess Durga are cited during this period of nine days.
By keeping fasts, chanting shlokas and mantras, the devotees show their regard for the Goddess. It is believed that during Navratri, the Goddess promptly heeds to devotees and fulfill wishes.
She is worshipped in the three forms of the divine femininity, as the remover of vices, as the bestower of wealth and prosperity and as the Goddess of wisdom.

Chaitra Navratri puja benefits.

The chaitra Navratra Puja is famous in several parts of India. It is celebrated with primary intention to propitiate Shakti and to bestow upon us all wealth, prosperity, knowledge both sacred and secular, and all other required positive energies. Goddess Durga is known for alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed.
A particular ritualistic worship of the Goddess is performed daily, along with the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.
Everyone is inspired to do the maximum number of Japa of the Navarna Mantra "Aim hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche"or the Mantra of their own tutelary god.
Sincere spiritual devotees keep fast on all the nine days, or at least once in each of the three three-day periods by taking milk and fruits only.

Tara ashtami, Mahanisha puja, Annapurna parikrama, Ashokaashtami.

On the day of Chaitra Ashtami Mahanisha Puja, Annapurna Parikrama, Ashokashtami puja and tara ashtami pooja are performed in all Shakti peeths in India. The next day is observed as Mahahavami and Ramnavami.
On this last day a grand havan is conducted at the place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity, with recitation of the Durga Saptashati and other verses in praise of the Goddess Durga. On the Vijaya Dasami in which Kanya Puja for minimum nine girls below the age of ten are worshipped as personification of Goddess Durga. They are served food and presented with new clothes and other things. Apart from these we also conduct Shree navaran yantra poojanam and any other specific tantrik pooja as per the requirement on all nine navratra nights.

All our peculiar desires are fulfilled after this special pooja with specific mantra.The one thing behind all these is especially appeasing our deity and linking ourself with her.