Chaitra Navratri is the celebration on the first day of the Luni-Solar calendar among Hindus. This year, it will be observed from April 9 to April 17, 2024. As the name implies, it is a nine-day celebration. There are four Navratri celebrations in a year, with Chaitra Navratri being one of the most significant. 

Goddess Durga and her nine glorious incarnations are worshipped by followers throughout Navratri, and on the last day, people celebrate Ram Navmi, another significant Hindu occasion.

Date and Tithi of Chaitra Navratri:
April 9: Chaitra Navratri Pratipada Tithi- Worship of Maa Shailputri
April 10: Chaitra Navratri Dwitiya Tithi- Worship of Maa Brahmacharini
April 11: Chaitra Navratri Tritiya Tithi- Worship of Maa Chandraghanta
April 12: Chaitra Navratri Chaturthi Tithi- Worship of Maa Kushmanda
April 13: Chaitra Navratri Panchami Tithi- Worship of Maa Skandamata
April 14: Chaitra Navratri Shashthi Tithi- Worship of Maa Katyayani
April 15: Chaitra Navratri Saptami Tithi- Worship of Maa Kalratri
April 16: Chaitra Navratri Ashtami Tithi- Worship of Maa Mahagauri, Ashtami Pujan
April 17: Chaitra Navratri Navami Tithi- Worship of Maa Siddhidatri, Navami Pujan

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Rituals
Devotees worship the nine forms of Durga in different colors during the nine days of Chaitra Navratri. They also execute rituals and dress in colorful clothing appropriate to the form of Durga being worshipped on that particular day.

Devotees carry out unique prayers and rituals every day. They attend temples, fast, adore Maa Durga, and offer her food that they have cooked at home.

Few people follow the Ghatasthapana tradition, which involves setting up a Kalash to represent Maa Durga's presence and performing the puja on the nine days in a magnificent manner.

Every day, devotees worship a different form of Goddess Durga; however, the final two days of the festival, known as Ashtami and Navami, are especially significant as they honor young girls on the eighth day and celebrate Ram Navami on the ninth. On Ram Navami, people fast, chant hymns, and give prayers at temples in observance of Lord Ram's birth anniversary.

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Offerings
On Pratipada of Shukla Paksha, the first Navratra is observed. This is a day of fasting and the offering of purified ghee at the feet of the mother. This grants the devotee a life free from illness. To obtain Mata Brahmacharini's blessings on the second day of Navratra, people worship her and conduct fasts. Sugar is presented to Goddess Brahmacharini as Bhog. 
On the third day of Navratra, people worship Mata Chandraghanta. On this day, milk, milk-based sweets, or kheer, are served as bhog to Mata Chandraghanta.
The devotion of Mata Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga, takes place on the fourth day of Navratra. Mata Kushmanda is offered Malpua as Bhog after being worshipped.The fifth day of Navratra is dedicated to worshiping Mata Skandmata. As Bhog, bananas are offered to the goddess.  

The sixth manifestation of Mata Durga, Mata Katyayani, is worshipped on the Ashwin month's Shashthi date. On this day, honey is served to Maa Katyayani in the form of bhog. On the saptami date of Navratri, Mata Kaalratri is worshipped. A full-day fast is performed on this day, and afterward, jaggery is offered to the mata as bhog.

Mahagauri is worshipped on the day of Durga Ashtami, the eighth manifestation of Mata. Coconut is offered to the goddess as bhog on this day. The ninth day of Navratra is dedicated to worshiping Mata Siddhidatri. It is considered auspicious to offer tulsi as a bhog on this day, following a fast and prayer.