Navratri 2025 : Dates Muhurat and Puja Vidhi

Sharad Navratri

Monday, 22 September 2025 – Thursday, 2 October 2025
The most important Navratri, celebrated across India with devotion. In Bengal, it is known as Durga Puja.

Magha Gupt Navratri

Thursday, 30 January 2025 – Friday, 7 February 2025
Also called Shishir Navratri, observed in the month of Magha.

Ashadha Gupt Navratri

Thursday, 26 June 2025 – Friday, 4 July 2025
Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, celebrated secretly by a few during Ashadha month.

What is Navratri?

Navratri means “Nine Nights” (Nav + Ratri). It is a sacred Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine forms. For nine days, devotees worship her as the universal protector who destroys evil and blesses life with wisdom, compassion, health, and prosperity.

Navratri is celebrated five times a year:

  • Sharad Navratri – most popular, celebrated with grand devotion.
  • Chaitra Navratri – also widely observed with religious events and fairs.
  • Three Gupt Navratris (Magha, Ashadha, Paush) – followed secretly by a few, often linked to spiritual and occult practices.

The Nine Forms of Maa Durga

Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one form of the Goddess:

  1. Maa Shailputri – Symbol of strength.
  2. Maa Brahmacharini – Bringer of peace and wisdom.
  3. Maa Chandraghanta – Goddess of bravery.
  4. Maa Kushmanda – Creator of life and energy.
  5. Maa Skandmata – Protective mother.
  6. Maa Katyayani – Fierce form of courage.
  7. Maa Kaalratri – Destroyer of evil forces.
  8. Maa Mahagauri – Goddess of purity and intellect.
  9. Maa Siddhidatri – Granter of all powers and blessings.

Importance of Navratri

  • Symbolises victory of good over evil.
  • Devotees avoid alcohol, meat, onion, and garlic.
  • People fast, perform pujas, chant mantras, and do yagnas.
  • The tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra (Vijayadashami), marking Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana.

How is Navratri Celebrated?

  • In West Bengal & Eastern India – Grand Durga Puja pandals, idol worship, processions, and Sindoor Khela.
  • In Gujarat – Garba and Dandiya dance every night.
  • In UP & Delhi – Ramlila shows and burning of Ravana effigies.
  • In Bihar – Temple pujas, fairs, and cultural events.

Mythological Stories of Navratri

  1. Mahishasura’s Defeat – Blessed by Lord Shiva, demon Mahishasura became invincible. He spread terror across heaven and earth. To end his cruelty, Maa Durga was created by the gods and she killed him, symbolising the end of evil.
  2. Lord Rama’s Worship – Before fighting Ravana, Lord Rama worshipped Devi Bhagwati for nine days. On the tenth day, he defeated Ravana. This became the origin of celebrating Vijaya Dashami.

Puja Ingredients for Navratri

To perform Navratri puja, devotees usually arrange the following items with devotion:

  • An idol or picture of Goddess Durga for the temple altar
  • A red chunri or sacred cloth to adorn the Goddess
  • Fresh mango leaves
  • Rice grains for offering
  • The Durga Saptashati scripture
  • A sacred red thread (Moli)
  • Gangajal (holy Ganga water)
  • Sandalwood paste
  • A coconut wrapped in cloth
  • Kumkum or red sacred powder
  • Barley seeds for sowing
  • A clay pot to grow the barley
  • Gulal (colored powder)
  • Supari (betel nut)
  • Betel leaves (Paan)
  • Cloves (Laung)
  • Cardamom (Elaichi)

Navratri Puja Vidhi (Ritual Process)

  • Begin the day by rising early, taking a bath, and wearing clean clothes.
  • Gather all the puja items listed above and place them neatly in a puja thali.
  • Install the idol or picture of Maa Durga on a red cloth at the altar.
  • Prepare the clay pot by sowing barley seeds and sprinkling water daily until Navami.
  • In an auspicious muhurta, perform Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana). Fill the urn (kalash) with Gangajal, place fresh mango leaves at its mouth, tie the neck with a red sacred thread (Moli), and cover a coconut with red chunri to place on top. Position this kalash near or on the clay pot.
  • Perform Panchopchar Puja by offering flowers, incense, camphor, fragrance, and cooked food to the Goddess.
  • Throughout the nine days, recite Maa Durga’s mantras, invoke her presence, and seek her blessings for health, prosperity, and peace.
  • On Ashtami and Navami, perform Kanya Pujan. Invite nine young girls representing the nine forms of Maa Durga, wash their feet, seat them respectfully, worship them with tilak, and serve them delicious food.
  • On the final day, conduct Ghat Visarjan. Offer prayers, flowers, and rice to the Goddess, thank her for her blessings, and respectfully remove the Kalash from the altar.

Essence of Navratri

Navratri is not just a festival—it is a spiritual journey of nine days. It inspires us to remove negativity, awaken inner strength, and live with purity, wisdom, and devotion.

Wishing you a blessed Navratri and Vijayadashami filled with joy, health, and prosperity.