Significance
Chaitra Navratri, also called Vasanta (spring) Navratri, is one of the two great Navratris. It opens the Hindu lunar new year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada — the same day as Gudi Padwa and Ugadi — and is nine days of devotion to Goddess Durga.
It culminates on the ninth day in Ram Navami, the birth of Lord Rama.
Rituals
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana and the sowing of barley, followed by nine days of fasting, Durga worship and recitation of Durga Saptashati. Each day a form of the Navadurga is worshipped, ending with Kanya Pujan and Ram Navami.
How the dates are fixed
Chaitra Navratri runs nine consecutive nights from the Pratipada of Chaitra Shukla paksha to Navami (Ram Navami); the Ghatasthapana muhurat is set on the first day for your location.