Navratri 2025: Date, Time, Auspicious Time, Puja Vidhi, and Significance
Every year, Navratri is a festival of faith, devotion, color, music, and renewal. In 2025, Sharadiya Navratri falls in the auspicious lunar month of Ashwin.
These nine nights are dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, invoking spiritual upliftment and new beginnings.
For devotees, knowing the dates, auspicious times, and puja vidhi ensures that each ritual is performed with maximum spiritual benefit.
In 2025, Sharad Navratri will begin on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 and end on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, concluding with Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Day-Wise Navratri 2025 Schedule
| Day | Date | Goddess / Puja | Tithi | Colour of the Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 22 Sept (Mon) | Maa Shailputri + Ghatasthapana | Pratipada | White |
| Day 2 | 23 Sept (Tue) | Maa Brahmacharini | Dwitiya | Red |
| Day 3 | 24 Sept (Wed) | Maa Chandraghanta | Tritiya | Royal Blue |
| Day 4 | 25 Sept (Thu) | Maa Kushmanda | Chaturthi | Yellow |
| Day 5 | 26 Sept (Fri) | Maa Skandamata | Panchami | Green |
| Day 6 | 27 Sept (Sat) | Maa Katyayani | Shashti | Grey |
| Day 7 | 28 Sept (Sun) | Maa Kalaratri | Saptami | Orange |
| Day 8 | 29 Sept (Mon) | Maa Mahagauri | Ashtami | Peacock Green |
| Day 9 | 30 Sept (Tue) | Maa Siddhidatri | Navami | Pink |
| Vijayadashami / Dussehra | 2 Oct (Thu) | Dashami Tithi / Victory of good over evil | — | — |
Navratri 2025 Puja Vidhi and Rituals
1. Purification and Preparation
Before beginning the Navratri rituals, it is essential to purify the body and surrounding environment. Start the day with a morning bath and wear clean clothes.
The place of worship should be thoroughly cleaned to invite positive energy. Wash the copper or brass Kalash and prepare all the necessary puja materials (samagri) in advance so that the ritual can be performed smoothly without any interruptions.
2. Ghatasthapana/Kalash Sthapana (First Day)
The most important ritual of the first day is Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana. A Kalash is filled with pure water, five mango leaves are decorated on its rim, and a coconut is placed on top.
Barley or Navadhanya (nine types of grains) is sown near the Kalash to symbolize growth and prosperity. In some traditions, the Kalash is also wrapped in a red cloth in honor of Goddess Durga. A ghee lamp and incense sticks are then lit to invoke divine blessings.
3. Daily Worship Method
Each day of Navratri begins with morning worship at an auspicious time. Devotees invoke the specific form of Goddess Durga worshipped that day through mantras and prayers.
Offerings such as fresh flowers, incense, fruits, sweets, and bhog are offered to the Goddess. Morning and evening aarti are performed, and many devotees recite Durga Saptashati or other sacred hymns to deepen their devotion.
4. Fasting and Food Rules
Fasting is an important part of Navratri; many devotees fast for the entire nine days, while others choose specific days.
The diet typically does not include grains, but instead focuses on fruits, milk, and fast-friendly ingredients such as kuttu (buckwheat) or water chestnuts (water chestnuts). Food is kept light, sattvic, and pure to maintain spiritual energy and discipline during the festival.
5. Mind and Conduct
Along with rituals and fasting, devotees are encouraged to maintain purity in thoughts and actions during Navratri. This includes avoiding anger, harsh speech, and negative behavior.
Respecting elders, showing kindness, and participating in pujas with full devotion are considered extremely important. This day focuses on developing inner strength, discipline, and devotion to the Goddess.
6. Closing Day Rituals
On the ninth day, or Navami, special pujas are performed, such as Kanya Pujan, where young girls are worshipped as embodiments of the Goddess. They are offered food, gifts, and blessings.
The celebrations culminate on Vijayadashami (Dussehra), which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Devotees perform immersion (Kalash Visarjan) and participate in cultural rituals such as Ravana Dahan, which symbolizes the destruction of negativity and the triumph of righteousness.
Significance of Navratri 2025
● Symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, commemorating Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.
● Provides spiritual purification: Devotees use these nine nights to purify the body, mind, and soul.
● Culturally vibrant with Garba, Dandiya, Durga Puja, and Golu festivals across India.
● Spiritually renewed through fasting, chanting, and worship.
Do's and Don'ts During Navratri
Do's:
● Follow auspicious times, especially for Ghatasthapana.
● Eat satvik food during the fast.
● Wear clothes of the day's color.
● Be regular in prayers and worship.
● Give alms and donations to the needy.
Don'ts:
● Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
● Avoid negative speech and behavior.
● Do not neglect cleanliness and purity during rituals.
● Avoid breaking the fast carelessly or without intention.
Conclusion
Navratri 2025 (Sharadiya) is a sacred journey that begins on September 22nd and ends with Vijayadashami on October 2nd. The auspicious times for Ghatasthapana morning (6:09-8:06) and Abhijit (11:49-12:38) provide the most appropriate time to begin this festival.
Observing daily rituals, wearing colors, honoring each form of Durga, fasting devoutly, and maintaining purity all enhance the spiritual power of Navratri.
FAQ
Q: When will Navratri 2025 begin?
Navratri will begin on September 22, 2025.
Q: What is the auspicious time for Ghatasthapana?
The main auspicious time is 6:09-8:06 am, while the Abhijit time is 11:49-12:38 am.
Q: For how many days is Navratri celebrated?
Nine days of worship, followed by Vijayadashami on the tenth day.
Q: What are the colors of Navratri in 2025?
White, red, royal blue, yellow, green, gray, orange, peacock green, and pink.
Q: When is Dussehra (Vijayadashami) in 2025?
October 2, 2025.
