Chaitra Navratri 2003 Date — Wednesday, April 2, 2003
When is Chaitra Navratri in 2003? Chaitra Navratri 2003 falls on Wednesday, April 2, 2003.
Observance: Chaitra Navratri Ghatasthapana. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Chaitra Navratri 2003 calendar — nine days, Devi forms & colours
| Night | Date & day | Devi | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Wed, 2 April 2003 | Shailputri | Royal Blue |
| Day 2 | Thu, 3 April 2003 | Brahmacharini | Yellow |
| Day 3 | Fri, 4 April 2003 | Chandraghanta | Green |
| Day 4 | Sun, 6 April 2003 | Kushmanda | Orange |
| Day 5 | Mon, 7 April 2003 | Skandamata | White |
| Day 6 | Tue, 8 April 2003 | Katyayani | Red |
| Day 7 | Wed, 9 April 2003 | Kaalratri | Royal Blue |
| Day 8 | Thu, 10 April 2003 | Mahagauri | Yellow |
| Day 9 | Fri, 11 April 2003 | Siddhidatri | Green |
Navratri colours follow the weekday each night falls on, which is why the list changes every year. Some regional lists swap the last two colours for pink and purple — follow the one your community uses. When a tithi is doubled or dropped, two nights can share a date or a night can be skipped.
Chaitra Navratri 2003 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (Day 1) | Wed, 2 April 2003 | |
| Durga Ashtami (Day 8) | Thu, 10 April 2003 | |
| Ram Navami (Day 9) | Fri, 11 April 2003 | Concludes Chaitra Navratri |
Why we celebrate
Beginning of nine nights of Devi — installation of sacred kalash invoking Durga.
How it is celebrated
Daily Devi puja, golu/kolu display in South India, garba/dandiya in Gujarat, Durga puja in Bengal. Fasting or sattvic diet through nine days.
Puja timing
Morning and evening puja; Ghatasthapana on Day 1 during Shubh muhurta. Sandhya arati each night.
Foods & offerings
Fasting foods: sabudana, kuttu, fruits, milk. South India: sundal prasadam daily. Bengal: bhog to Ma Durga.
Rituals
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): establish kalash, invoke Durga, sow barley/jowar.
- Daily: lamp, Devi stotram, offer flowers and naivedyam.
- Color-coded dress optional per day; visit temples for alankaram darshan.
- Kanya puja (invite young girls as Devi) on Ashtami or Navami in many homes.
- Ayudha puja / Saraswati puja on Mahanavami in several regions.
- Vijayadashami: visarjan, sindoor khela, and new beginnings.
Chaitra Navratri dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Sat, 13 April 2002 |
| 2003 | Wed, 2 April 2003 |
| 2004 | Sun, 21 March 2004 |
| 2005 | Sat, 9 April 2005 |
| 2006 | Thu, 30 March 2006 |
Hindu festivals around Chaitra Navratri 2003
- Ugadi 2003 date — Wed, 2 April 2003
- Gudi Padwa 2003 date — Wed, 2 April 2003
- Ram Navami 2003 date — Fri, 11 April 2003
- Vishu 2003 date — Mon, 14 April 2003
- Baisakhi 2003 date — Mon, 14 April 2003
- Tamil Puthandu 2003 date — Mon, 14 April 2003
- Holi 2003 date — Wed, 19 March 2003
- Hanuman Jayanti 2003 date — Wed, 16 April 2003
- Holika Dahan 2003 date — Tue, 18 March 2003
- Maha Shivaratri 2003 date — Sat, 1 March 2003
- Akshaya Tritiya 2003 date — Sun, 4 May 2003
- Buddha Purnima 2003 date — Fri, 16 May 2003
