Chaitra Navratri Parana 2026

Chaitra Navratri Parana is the day the Vasanta Navratri fast — which runs from Ugadi to Sri Rama Navami — is formally concluded. It falls on Chaitra Shukla Dashami, after the Navami tithi ends. These nine days unite the worship of the Divine Mother and Sri Rama, and Parana brings them to completion.

Vasanta Navratri and Sri Rama Navaratrulu

Chaitra Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana on Chaitra Shukla Padyami — our Ugadi. In North India the nine days are dedicated to the Navadurgas. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana many families keep the same days as Sri Rama Navaratrulu, with Ramayana parayanam and Rama nama japam. Chaitra Shukla Navami is Sri Rama Navami, the day of Sitarama Kalyanam, and at Bhadrachalam the Sri Rama Pattabhishekam is famously held the day after the Kalyanam. So Dashami becomes a joyful day of closing the deeksha.

How to Perform Parana

• Bathe on Dashami morning and offer a final puja to the kalasham and to the Goddess or Sita-Rama.
• Recite a kshama prarthana for any unknowing lapses during the nine days.
• Conclude the kalasham, sprinkle its water in the house and pour the rest on the tulasi plant.
• Respectfully immerse the sprouted navadhanyalu or place them near plants.
• Offer panakam, vadapappu, payasam or pulihora, and begin your meal with that prasadam.
• Do annadanam, give thambulam to married women and seek the blessings of elders.

About the Timing

Traditionally parana is done in Dashami tithi, usually in the morning, after Navami has ended. Some take prasadam on Sri Rama Navami evening after the Kalyanam and harathi, while others wait till Dashami — follow your family custom. The tithi timings on this page will help you choose the right time.

Things to Keep in Mind

After fasting, begin with light, home-cooked satvik food. Chaitra falls in summer, so buttermilk and panakam are especially refreshing. The real fruit of the deeksha is carrying forward the good habits of these nine days — rising early, japam and parayanam — long after Parana.

May the blessings of Sita-Rama and the Divine Mother fill the new year with auspiciousness.