AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, April 1 (TIWN): Basanti Puja, which is nothing but another name of Durga Puja (during Spring season), has been observed in temples of Maha-Astami.

Due to lockdown no gathering was allowed and this year Basanti puja was observed isolated. Indeed it was first ever in history, Tripura's spring festival Basanti Durga puja to be observed in isolation in Agartala's Royal Durga Bari with Covid-19 outbreak.Basanti Durga Puja – is celebrated in Spring (Basant). This puja is held in the month of Chaitra in Bengali calendar. However, its beleived its the original celebration of the Durgapuja celebrated in other parts of India.It is known fact according to mythology that King Surath performed Durga Puja in Spring after Sage Medha instructed him. Markanda Puran says that King Surath lost his kingdom and was hiding in the forests when he met Samadhi Vaishya who also had lost kingdom. In the forest, they met Medha Muni who told them to perform Basanti Durga Puja to get back their kingdoms. King Surath and Samadhi Vaishya, performed Basanti Puja and got back their kingdoms. This started the ritual of performing Basanti Durga in Vasant as the name suggests.

The difference between the two Durga Pujas- Basanti Puja and Durga Puja in Autumn performed by Lord Rama- lie in their origin and time of celebration, rituals remain the same. Durga Puja is said to have first performed by Lord Rama in Autumn. At that time, Durga Puja was celebrated in Spring after started by King Surath many years back. Lord Rama performed ‘Akalbodhan’ untimely awakening to seek Goddess blessings for defeating Ravana. The Popularity of Sharadiya Puja of lord Rama, is more according to the present scenario. Basanti Puja, however, is still popular in many Bengali households maintaining all the rituals of Durga Puja.

It’s also a part of Navratri and these NINE DAYS OF CHAITRA NAVRATRI 2020

Day 1, March 25, 2020 (Pratipada)- Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshana Shailputri Puja

Day 2, March 26, 2020 (Dwitiya)- Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja

Day 3, March 27, 2020 (Tritiya)- Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej Chandraghanta Puja

Day 4, March 28, 2020 (Chaturthi)- Kushmanda Puja, Vinayaka Chaturthi

Day 5, March 29, 2020 (Panchami)- Naag Puja, Lakshmi Panchami Skandamata Puja

Day 6, March 30, 2020 (Shasthi)- Skanda Sashti, Yamuna Chhath Katyayani Puja

Day 7, March 31, 2020 (Saptami)- Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja

Day 8, April 1, 2020 (Asthami)- Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja Annapurna Ashtami, Sandhi Puja

Day 9, April 2, 2020 (Navami)- Rama Navami

Day 10, April 3, 2020 (Dashami)- Navratri Parana

Chaitra Navratri is more popular in northern India. In Maharashtra Chaitra Navratri begins with Gudi Padwa and in Andhra Pradesh Chaitra Navratri begins with Ugadi.