Basanti Durga Puja

The nine days from Pratipada to Navami of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra, Ashadh, Ashwin and Magha are called Navratri. Thus there are four Navratras in a Samvatsar, in which the Navratra of Chaitra is called ‘Basantik Navratra’ and Navratra of Ashwin is called ‘Sharadiya Navratra’. In these, special worship is done to the Aadi Shakti Bhagwati Durga. Basanti Pujo was the first Durga Puja that was initiated by King Surath, prior to the famous Sharadiya Durga Puja. Basanti Puja RitualsThe rituals of Basanti Puja are similar to those of Shardiya Durga Puja. The only difference is in the ‘Ghat’ (Kalash or earthern/metal pot) for ‘Bodhan’ (awakening Goddess Durga) is not used in Sashti puja because this puja is performed on time when it is meant to be done.
The legend in Markanda Puran states that King Surath had lost his kingdom and wandered in the forests where he met Samadhi Vaishya who also had lost kingdom.