Chaitra Navaratri is a nine day long festivity, which is limited to eight days this year. This is the first festival according to Hindu calendar as Chaitra is the first month of Hindu lunar calendar.
Chaitra Navaratri is also known as Vasanta Navaratri. 9th day is considered as birthday of Lord Ram and is commonly known as Ramanavami. This year, the dates for Chaitra Navaratri are as follows:
Day 1: Pratipada. April 8, 2016 (Friday) – Chandra Darshan and Shailputri Pooja
Day 2: Dwitiya. April 9, 2016 (Saturday) – Sindhara Dooj, Gauri Teej and Chandraghanta Pooja
Day 3: Chaturthi. April 10, 2016 (Sunday) – Kushmanda Pooja
Day 4: Panchami. April 11, 2016 (Monday) – Naag Pooja, Laxmi Panchami and Skandmaata Pooja
Day 5: Shashthi. April 12, 2016 (Tuesday) – Yamuna Chhath and Katyayni Pooja
Day 6: Saptami. April 13, 2016 (Wednesday) – Maha Saptami and Kalaratri Pooja
Day 7: Ashtami. April 14, 2016 (Thursday) – Durga Ashtami, Annapurna Ashtami and Mahagauri Pooja
Day 8: Navami. April 15, 2016 (Friday) – Ram Navami
