Shardiya Navratri 2025 will be celebrated from Monday, 22 September, to Thursday, 2 October, concluding with Vijayadashami (Dussehra). This nine-day festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
Ghatasthapana and Puja Rituals
- The festival begins with Ghatasthapana on 22 September 2025. A sacred pot (kalash) is placed in a clean space at home, symbolizing the presence of the Goddess.
- Families light a lamp, offer flowers, water, fruits, and prasad, and set up a simple altar.
- Daily pujas, chanting, and bhajans are performed to invoke blessings of Goddess Durga for health, peace, and prosperity.
Fasting Rules During Navratri
- Many devotees observe Navratri fasting by consuming fruits, milk, and vrat-friendly grains such as singhara, kuttu, and sabudana.
- Fasting practices may vary from family to family—some follow strict fasting, while others eat light sattvik meals.
- Drinking water and maintaining rest are recommended for those keeping a complete fast.
Celebrations Across India
- In states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, Navratri nights are marked by vibrant Garba and Dandiya Raas folk dances.
- Schools, temples, and community groups organize plays, dramas, and cultural events that culminate on Dussehra.
- On special days, Kanya Puja is performed, where young girls are honored with food, gifts, and blessings.
Read More: Festival Calendar 2025: Complete List of Holidays and Hindu Festivals in India
Cultural & Spiritual Significance
- Each of the nine days is dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga.
- Families also worship tools, books, and work-related items, symbolizing success and prosperity in the coming year.
- The essence of Navratri is devotion, discipline, and service—lighting a lamp, maintaining purity at home, feeding the needy, and teaching children traditional songs and values.
How to Celebrate Navratri at Home
- Choose a clean, peaceful space for your Navratri altar.
- Place the kalash (pot) on Ghatasthapana day with water, flowers, rice, and a diya (lamp).
- Offer prasad daily, light a small lamp each evening, and recite Durga chants or short stories from scriptures.
- Participate in community pujas or temple rituals for collective blessings.
Shardiya Navratri 2025 is not only a time of worship but also of joy, cultural unity, and renewal. May the nine days bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your home.
