Chaitra Navratri 2025: This nine-day Hindu festival celebrates the divine feminine and honours Maa Durga or Goddess Durga’s nine avatars. Each day of the Hindu festival is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga. These forms represent various aspects of divine feminine strength and are worshipped through prayers, fasting, and cultural events. Also read | Chaitra Navratri fest in Panchkula: Shuttle buses arranged for devotees
Chitra Navratri significance
Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and the spring season in India. It’s a time for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and devotion to Goddess Durga, who embodies feminine power and strength. On the nine days of Chaitra Navratri, different forms of the Goddess are worshipped:
⦿ Day 1: Maa Shailputri
⦿ Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini
⦿ Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta
⦿ Day 4: Maa Kushmanda
⦿ Day 5: Maa Skandamata
⦿ Day 6: Maa Katyayani
⦿ Day 7: Maa Kalaratri
⦿ Day 8: Maa Mahagauri
⦿ Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri
Chaitra Navratri 2025 date
Chaitra Navratri in 2025 begins on March 30 and concludes on April 7. Each day has its own significance and rituals, and devotees often fast, perform pujas, and recite religious scriptures during this period.
Here’s a breakdown of the nine days of Chaitra Navratri 2025:
⦿ Day 1 (March 30): Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshan, and Shailputri Puja
⦿ Day 2 (March 31): Brahmacharini Puja
⦿ Day 3 (April 1): Chandraghanta Puja
⦿ Day 4 (April 2): Kushmanda Puja
⦿ Day 5 (April 3): Skandamata Puja
⦿ Day 6 (April 4): Katyayani Puja
⦿ Day 7 (April 5): Kalaratri Puja
⦿ Day 8 (April 6): Mahagauri Puja and Kanya Pujan
⦿ Day 9 (April 7): Siddhidatri Puja and Ram Navami
When is Ram Navami?
Ram Navami typically falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, which is also the last day of the Navratri celebrations. During Ram Navami, devotees of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga perform various rituals and traditions, including havan, wearing new clothes, visiting temples, and offering prayers to seek their blessings. It’s also a time for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and devotion to the divine feminine and masculine energies.
Chaitra Navratri rituals and puja vidhi
During Chaitra Navratri, devotees observe fasts, participate in prayers and aartis, and engage in cultural events like Garba and Dandiya Raas. Chaitra Navratri puja vidhi involves a series of rituals and practices to worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms.
Here’s a step-by-step guide: Begin by purifying yourself with a bath and wearing clean clothes. Install the picture or idol of Goddess Durga, along with the kalash, on a sacred spot at home. Fill the kalash with water, add a few coins, and tie a red thread around its neck. Place it on a bed of grains like wheat or barley. Offer prayers to Goddess Durga, starting with the first form, Shailaputri, on the first day, followed by Brahmacharini on the second day, and so on.
Make offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Goddess. You can also offer akshat, roli, and sandalwood. Perform aarti and chant mantras specific to each form of Goddess Durga. For example, the mantra for Maa Brahmacharini is ‘Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah’. Conclude the puja by seeking the Goddess’s blessings and distributing prasad among family and friends
⦿ Puja timing: Perform the puja during the Brahma Muhurta, which is considered an auspicious time.
⦿ Puja materials: Make sure to have all the necessary puja materials, including the Kalash, flowers, fruits, and sweets.
⦿ Cleanliness: Maintain cleanliness and purity throughout the puja.
