Maha Navratri 2025 - Sun, 30 Mar – Mon, 7 Apr

Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season. Maha Navratri, also known as Sharada Navratri, is a significant Hindu festival that spans nine nights (and ten days). It is celebrated in the autumn, typically in September or October. The festival honors the goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively referred to as Navadurga. Each day of the festival is dedicated to one of her forms.

The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess Durga, the divine mother, had destroyed the evil force (in the form of the demon Mahishasura) during this period.

The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country. People from various sections of the society irrespective of caste and creed celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas at the Mother’s feet.

In some places, special puja samarohas are also held by setting the images of Mother Durga on beautifully decorated pandals. Temples dedicated to Shakti also make arrangements for pujas and vrats to mark these nine days as true symbols of devotion and adoration towards the divine mother.

Key Aspects of Maha Navratri

1. Worship and Rituals:

   • Kalash Sthapana: The festival begins with the establishment of a sacred pot (kalash), symbolizing the universe.
   • Ghatasthapana: An important ritual that marks the beginning of Navratri. It involves the invocation of the goddess Durga.
   • Durga Puja: Daily prayers and offerings are made to the goddess. Special pujas are conducted on the eighth (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) days.

2. Fasting: Devotees often fast during Navratri, consuming only specific foods and abstaining from certain items. This is seen as a way to purify the body and soul.

3. Garba and Dandiya Raas: In Gujarat and some other regions, nights are marked by traditional dances called Garba and Dandiya Raas. People dress in colorful traditional attire and dance in circles around an earthen lamp or statue of the goddess.

4. Kanya Puja: On the eighth or ninth day, young girls, representing the goddess, are worshipped and given gifts.

5. Durga Ashtami and Mahanavami: These days are considered highly auspicious. Devotees perform special rituals and offer a variety of dishes to the goddess.

6. Vijayadashami (Dussehra): The tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, marks the end of Navratri. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, commemorating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama, and the triumph of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Regional Variations

• West Bengal: Known as Durga Puja, the festival is celebrated with grandeur, involving elaborate statues of Durga, processions, cultural performances, and community feasts.
• Gujarat: Known for its Garba and Dandiya Raas, the festival here is a vibrant celebration with community gatherings and dances.
• Karnataka: Mysore's Dussehra is famous for its grand processions, traditional music, and dance performances.
• Himachal Pradesh: In Kullu, the festival culminates in the Kullu Dussehra, where deities from various parts of the valley are brought together.

The Nine Days of Navratri

Navratri Day 1- Navratri color of the day - Royal Blue
Navratri Day 2- Navratri color of the day - Yellow
Navratri Day 3- Navratri color of the day - Green
Navratri Day 4- Navratri color of the day - Grey
Navratri Day 5- Navratri color of the day - Orange
Navratri Day 6- Navratri color of the day - White
Navratri Day 7- Navratri color of the day - Red
Navratri Day 8- Navratri color of the day - Sky Blue
Navratri Day 9- Navratri color of the day - Pink

Click here for complete details about the Nine Days of Navratri

Navratri festival dates in 2024

Day & Date	Festival	Tithi
Sunday, October 15	Ghatasthapana	Pratipada
Monday, October 16	Maa Brahmacharini Puja	Dwitiya
Tuesday, October 17	Maa Chandraghanta Puja	Tritiya
Wednesday, October 18	Maa Kushmanda Puja	Chaturthi
Thursday, October 19	Maa Skandamata Puja	Panchami
Friday, October 20	Maa Katyayini Puja	Shashti
Saturday, October 21	Maa Kaalratri Puja	Saptami
Sunday, October 22	Maa Maha Gauri Puja	Ashtami
Monday, October 23	Maa Siddhidaatri Puja, Maha Navami	Navami
Tuesday, October 24	Vijay Dasami	Dasami

How to do Navratri Puja?

The nine days of worship and commemoration of Durga Maa during the Navratri requires tremendous preparations as there is a separate set of prayers and rituals on each of the days. The preparations for the large scale Navratri Puja organized in cities start at least a month in advance. There is a specific time, a process that has to be followed during the Navratri Puja. Click here to know everything about How to do Navratri Puja

Navratri Celebrations - Dandiya and Garba 

Navratri is celebrated in the most heart warming way, with the Indian culture and traditions at their bests. Be it western India or eastern India, the celebration for Navratri brings joy everywhere . The days and nights are full of rituals in which Goddess Durga is worshiped in different ways in the various regions, cultural dances like Garba and Dandiya a major part of the festivities. West Bengal, Gujarat and Rajasthan celebrate Navratri with a very unique and splendid touch. Click here to read more on Navratri Celebrations in different regions of India

Navratri Recipes - What to eat during Navratri

India, a home to thousands of festivals has this unique connection to food. Every festival has special foods - dishes and sweets attached to it, likewise for Navratri. People fast during the Navratri for nine days and there are many delicious recipes specially made for the fasts. Some of the very delectable Navratri Specials are:

- Aval Kesari
- Subudana (Sago) Puri
- Gujarati Kadhi
- Vrat ke Chawal
- Singhade ka Halwa

नवरात्रि की पूजा विधि, कथा और मंत्र हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिये यहां क्लिक करें