Chaitra Navratri 2025: Check Dates, Significance And All You Need To Know

Navratri is one of the most widely celebrated festivals for Hindus worldwide. As per the religious traditions, Navratri is celebrated twice in a year— Chaitra Navratri in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) and Sharadiya Navratri during the month of Ashwin (September-October).

The festival of Navratri, which means 'nine-nights', is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It's an important festival for the followers of 'Shakti tradition', or 'Shakta Cult' in Hinduism. The festival is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

The devotees worship different forms of Goddess Durga during this nine-day festive period. Each day of the festival is dedicated to a the nine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as 'Navdurga'

This year, the Chaitra Navratri will start on Mar. 30. The nine-day festival will end on Apr. 7.

• March 30, 2025 - Pratipada (Ghatasthapana & Shailputri Puja)

• March 31, 2025 - Dwitiya (Brahmacharini Puja)

• April 1, 2025 - Tritiya (Chandraghanta Puja)

• April 2, 2025 - Chaturthi (Kushmanda Puja)

• April 3, 2025 - Panchami (Skandamata Puja)

• April 4, 2025 - Shashti (Katyayani Puja)

• April 5, 2025 - Saptami (Kalaratri Puja)

• April 6, 2025 - Ashtami (Mahagauri Puja & Kanya Pujan)

• April 7, 2025 - Navami (Siddhidatri Puja & Ram Navami)

The Navratri is a special religious and spiritual occasion for the devout Hindus. Over nine days, several rituals are conducted to worship Maa Durga. Many devotees also observe fast during all the nine days of Chaitra Navratri seeking blessings of the Goddess Durga. Chaitra Navratri symbolises the victory of good over evil and each day is dedicated to a specific incarnation of Goddess Durga. Each day is symbolised by different rituals and a particular colour dedicated to the goddess of the day. Typical colours worn by devotees include green, blue, yellow, white, red and pink.

The nine-day festival comes to an end on Ram Navami, which marks the birth of Lord Ram. In many places, Navratri also ends on the Dashami Tithi, or 10th day.

Rituals commonly followed during the Chaitra Navratri include meditation, fasting, prayers, and ceremonies dedicated to Goddess Durga. Every day is dedicated to the worship of a specific form of Goddess Durga. These forms are known as Navadurga and they represent different forms of virtues and feminine energy. During the last two days of the occasion, young girls are worshipped as forms of Goddess Durga. Food and gifts are offered to them.