In 2012 Chaitra Navaratri date is March 23, 2012 to April 01, 2011. from Gudi Padawa to Ram Navami. The starting of summer and winter season are two very important junctions of climatic. These two periods are taken as blessed opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. In Sanskrit language the word Navratri exactly means nine nights; Nava meaning Nine and Ratri means nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti are worshipped. Rishi Markandey that the first incarnation of Shakti was as Shailputri. Other incarnations of the Divine Mother are: Brahmcharñi, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri in that order. The festival of Vasanth / Chaitra Navratri (9 nights) begins on the first day of Ashwani of the bright fortnight. In the Navratri festival we are worship three days each devoted of Maa Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the festival of Navratri (nav = nine and ratri = nights), feasting and fasting take preference over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. On the 8th and 9th days of Navratri, Goddess Durga, Vijay ashtami and Maha Navami are worshipped.