Article Detail

Sharad Navratri 2025 : Celebration of the Supreme Goddess

।। या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता,

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

O divine goddess! To her who is abiding in all beings in the form of power. We offer our heartfelt salutations to her.

Navratri is a sacred Hindu festival commemorated for nine days to honour Maa Durga and her nine divine forms. As stated in Hindu scriptures, the Navratri festival is celebrated four times each year. Two Navratris are celebrated across India by devotees for wellness and prosperity, while the other two are Gupt Navratris, performed by saints, shamans, and spiritual leaders for the enlightenment of Kundali and chakras.

Four types of Navratri:

• Chaitra Navratri (spring): Observed during the lunar month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr). It is commonly referred to as Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, or Navreh in different states of India.

  Key highlight:On the ninth day, Ramanavami is celebrated (when Lord Ram was born).

  Distinction:Prakat Navratri—widely celebrated, outward expression of devotion.

• Magha Navratri (winter):Known as Pausha Navratri. Celebrated during Magha month, winters (Jan-Feb)

  Key highlight:Vasant Panchami is observed on the fifth day.

  Distinction:Gupt Navratri—Inner journey to strengthen connection with the divine.

• Sharad Navratri (Autumn):One of the most prominent Navratris begins in Sharad Ritu, when the sun is in Kanya Rashi (Sep-Oct).

  Key highlight:On the tenth day, Vijayadashami is celebrated (Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana).

  Distinction: Prakat Navratri

• Ashad (Navratri monsoon)— This Navratri is focused on bhakti, sadhana, and tapasya. It is practiced in the Ashadha month, from June to July.

  Key highlights:Jaganath Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) is widely celebrated during this time.

  Distinction:Gupt Navratri

Importance Of Sharad Navratri:

The most significant Navratri among all is Sharad Navratri. The celebration is for nine nights, which typically fall in the lunar month of Ashwin (September to October). The festival is celebrated all over India with enormous fanfare. Moreover, Sharad Navratri is marked with the victory of Maa Durga over Mahishasur, and on the tenth day, Vijayadashami is celebrated, denoting the triumph of good over evil. This year it will be celebrated from September 22, 2025, and conclude on October 2, 2025.

What makes Sharad Navratri so special?

• Seasonal transition: marks the beginning of the winter season.
• Spiritual awakening: through fasting, worshipping, mantra jap, and sadhana.
• The triumph of good over evil
• Unites different communities with different cultural beliefs.

Feeling lost and directionless? Get a deep insight into your Kundali with Smt. Ekktaa’s Astro Future prediction. Her wisdom of astrology and numerology provides a heightened sense of purpose and clarity.

Rituals followed during Sharad Navratri :

Ghatasthapana, also known as kalash sthapana is an important ritual of Navratri, to invite the goddess into life.

• Pandal decoration:
  Communal celebration by visual and decoration medium.
• Kanya pujan:
  Worship of young girls mainly below the age of 10 years, particularly on the eighth and ninth days of Navratri, representing nine forms of goddesses.
• Meditation and chakra healing:
  Practicing Chakra Dhyana, reiki meditation to achieve spiritual well-being, harmony, and inner peace.
• Fasting:
  Cleansing of physical and spiritual self by abstaining from any form of desires.
• Navdurga worshipping:
  Devoting nine days to nine forms of the goddess by naam japa, reciting durgashaptashati paath etc.
  Sacred rituals among Hindus to cleanse inner self and acquire divine blessings is performing havan (revered fire rituals) . Some popular havans performed during this time are Navchandi yaag, Durga havan etc.
• Garba and Dandiya nights:Popular community event around navratri, originated from Gujarat, where devotees perform garba and dance to show bhakti, devotion through music and movement.
• Durga Visarjan (Idol immersion):On Vijayadashami, the idol of maa Durga is immersed in water. It is to bid farewell to deity, signifying the impermanence of human existence. That's the final conclusion of the holy festival.

Astrological Significance: The sun’s movement & Navaratri

The four Navratris fall in different seasons of the year. Significantly, the change in seasons is dependent on the position of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. These four periods depict change, which means rise, rejuvenation, and rebirth. Moreover, Navratri is a medium for physical, mental, and spiritual detoxification and retrospection.

Physical – It could be achieved by abstaining from tamasic food like garlic, onion, non- vegetarian food, etc., and adding sattvic food to the diet.

Spiritual & Mental: By raising awareness through mantra chanting, chakra dhyaana, practicing mindfulness meditation, etc.

Eventually, all this leads to bettering humans on both the karma and dharma fronts. It raises awareness in the journey of the soul.

Navratri: Celebration, Muhurta, as per Drikpanchang:

As per Drikpanchang, the first day of Navratri begins with the Ghatasthapna ritual, which falls on Pratipada tithi. It starts on the first day of the Ashwin lunar month.

It is believed that the Ghatasthapana ritual should be done in the first one-third of the day, at an auspicious time.

The Ashwin Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) will take place on Monday, September 22, 2025.

• Ghatasthapana Muhurata - 06:23:09 AM to 08:11 AM
• Duration - 01 Hour 48 Mins
• Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurata - 12:03 PM to 12:51 PM.
• Duration - 00 Hours 48 Mins

Devi, Days, Colour & Significance:

Maa Durga’s ultimate battle with the demon Mahishashura was led by Mata’s nine swaroopas, these are

• Day 1: Maa Shailaputri

Key aspects: associated with the reincarnation of the goddess Parvati

Significance: Depicts Strength, Courage, and Action.

Colour: White

• Day 2 : Maa Brahmacharini

Key aspects: Goddess of Devotion, Moksha and Penance.

Significance: Depicts Blissfulness, Loyalty, and Calm

Colour: Red

• Day 3 : Maa Chandraghanta (Aura of Moon)

Key aspect: Maa Parvati adorned her forehead with ardh-chandra after marrying Lord Shiva.

Significance: Depicts Bravery and Courage

Colour: Royal Blue

• Day 4: Maa Kushmanda

Key aspect: She is called the creator of Life and vegetation in the universe.

Significance: Energy, Vitality and Creativity

Colour: Yellow

• Day 5: Maa Skandmata

Key aspect: 'Skanda' is the alternative name of Kartikeya, and 'mata' means 'mother'.

Significance: Purity, Peace, and Warmth.

Colour: Green

• Day 6 : Maa Katyayani

Key aspect: Maa Katyayani is known as the slayer of Mahishashur and the goddess of power.

Significance: Courage and Vitality

Colour: Grey

• Day 7: Kalaratri

Key aspect: The most fierce form of Maa Durga.

Significance: Auspiciousness and Courage.

Colour – Orange

• Day 8: Maa Mahagauri

Key aspect: Bright like the moon.

Symbol: Gain Self-realisation and Purity.

Colour- Peacock Green

• Day 9: Siddhidatri

Key aspect: Mythologically, Shiva gained all the siddhis by honouring this form of  goddess.

Symbol: Giver of Perfection, Grant Siddhis.

Colour – Pink

Spiritual significance of Navratri in our life:

According to Indian traditions, the entire creation is made up of five elements, the Panchamahabhutas namely Water, Earth, Air, Fire, and Ether (Space).

All these five elements have three attributes, called 'gunas'. These attributes are known as Tamas, Rajas, and Satva.

The formation of a personality is influenced by these three qualities, depending on which guna is dominant. The purpose of Navratri is to align these three attributes to achieve spiritual awakening and lead to a state of balance. During Navratri we can balance these tendencies as when the goddess arrives and witness how good qualities naturally develop.

Let’s have more explanation about this :

• Tamas:

  It is a tendency of lethargy, ignorance, fear, and rigidity.

  Worshipping Maa Durga for the first three days of Navratri calms tamasic tendencies.

• Rajas:

  This signifies the quality of human personality towards action, ambition, and passion.

  Devi Lakshmi brings balance to rajas tendencies. Worshipping her can help one achieve materialistic goals in life.

• Satva:

  Denotes a tendency towards selfless service. If worked properly, it creates harmony, spiritual awakening, and balance of life.

  It is believed that worshipping Maa Saraswati on the last three days of Navratri makes one sattvic. Helps an individual operate from the space of wisdom.

Achieving balance among the three gunas requires spiritual guidance and clarity of thoughts. Smt Ektaa, at Ekohumm, provides you insightful online astrology predictions and spiritual guidance for clarity and spiritual enlightenment to embrace your full potential.

How Vijayadashami plays an important role in our life

The victory of Lord Ram over Ravan is known as Vijay Dashmi. Which is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri.

According to Hindu text, before going to the war to rescue Sita Maa from Ravana's abduction, Lord Ram performed a special puja to please Maa Durga, offering 108 lotuses. It was unusual that he possessed only 107 lotus. In response, Lord Rama offered his eyes to Ma Durga. Seeing this, Ma Durga was very pleased and thus, blessed him with victory. That's the origin of Sharad Navratri.

During this auspicious phase, devotees practise Gyaan, Dhyana, and Tapasya, which helps them to achieve spiritual as well as personal goals, raising awareness and achieving breakthroughs.

• Tapasya: Achieving  self-discipline by fasting and a sattvic diet.
• Bhakti: acquiring devotion by worshipping maa, mantra chanting.
• Gyaana: cultivating wisdom through Devi Mahatmyam

Famous temples of Maa Durga

• Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru
• Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu, Katra
• Sri Kanaka Durga temple, Andhra Pradesh
• Kamakhya temple, Assam
• Dakshineshwar Kali temple, West Bengal
• Mansa Devi temple, Uttarakhand

Conclusion:

In short, Sharad Navratri is a celebration of nine forms of Shakti to impart wisdom, peace, and positivity and build a connection with the supreme power. We observed that these nine days control the Rajasic and Tamasic qualities of our body and help us achieve Satva in life.

This is not just a festival but also embarks us on a spiritual journey, where we embrace devotions, fight our internal conflicts, and eventually conquer our inner demons.

||ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ||

|| Om Dum Durgāyai Namah ||