Chaitra Navratri 2025

What is Chaitra Navratri?

Chaitra Navratri is a sacred nine-day festival in Hinduism, celebrated during the spring season. It begins on the first day (Pratipada) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra and continues until Ram Navami. During Chaitra Navratri, devotees worship different forms of Goddess Durga, and the ninth day is celebrated as Ram Navami, as per ancient scriptures, marking the birth of Lord Shri Ram on this day (Chaitra Shukla Navami). Worshiping the various forms of the Goddess during Chaitra Navratri strengthens devotees' mental power and fulfills their spiritual aspirations. This festival is considered a symbol of power, devotion, spiritual practice, and self-purification.

In 2025, Chaitra Navratri will commence on March 30, 2025 (Sunday), and conclude on April 6, 2025 (Sunday). The festival of Ram Navami will also be observed on April 6, 2025 (Sunday).

Chaitra Navratri Start Date:

• Ghatasthapana Auspicious Muhurat
  • 5:22 A.M to 6:48 A.M
  • 8:26 A.M to 10:22 A.M
  • 12:19 P.M to 1:07 P.M
• Pratipada Tithi Begins : March 29, 2025, at 4:28 P.M
• Pratipada Tithi Ends : March 30, 2025, at 12:50 P.M

On the Ashtami Tithi of Navratri, Kanya Pujan is considered extremely auspicious and rewarding. While some people also perform Kanya Pujan on Navami Tithi, from a religious perspective, worshiping, feeding, and offering donations to young girls on Ashtami is particularly beneficial.

Worshiping nine young girls during Kanya Pujan is considered ideal, as they symbolize the nine forms of Goddess Durga. However, if nine girls are not available, at least two girls should be worshiped to ensure the completion of the ritual and to receive its full benefits.

On Ashtami, coconut is specially offered as bhog to Goddess Durga and is later distributed as prasad among devotees and the young girls. The traditional and auspicious offerings for Kanya Bhoj include halwa, puri, sabzi, and black chana. However, if arranging all these items is not possible, devotees can provide food and donations to the young girls as per their faith and capacity.

There are four Navratris in a year, known as Chaitra Navratri (Spring), Magha Navratri (Winter), Ashadha Navratri (Monsoon), and Sharad Navratri (Autumn). However, Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri hold special significance, while the other two are observed secretly.

1. Chaitra Navratri : It falls in the spring season and is also known as Vasantik Navratri.
2. Sharad Navratri : It occurs in the autumn season and is the most popular Navratri.
3. Gupt Navratri : These occur twice a year (beginning from Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Magha and Ashadha months) and are observed for special spiritual practices.

Wake up before sunrise, complete your daily rituals, and take a bath to purify yourself. Clean the home temple and purify the worship area by sprinkling Gangajal (holy water). Place a wooden platform (Chowki) in the temple, wash it with pure water, and spread a red cloth over it. Then, place some unbroken rice (Akshat) on the Chowki and install an idol or picture of Goddess Durga. As this is the first day of Navratri, Kalash Sthapana (Ghatasthapana) should be performed strictly according to Vedic rituals. Offer clothes to the Goddess and adorn her with ornaments. Present offerings such as fruits, Akshat, Roli (sacred red powder), sweets, white flowers, and white clothes. Offering cow ghee to the Goddess is believed to grant good health to the devotees. From this day onwards, begin the recitation of Durga Saptashati. If possible, complete all 13 chapters daily for maximum benefits. However, if time is limited, the recitation can be completed over nine days. Additionally, chanting the 108 names of Goddess Durga daily is highly auspicious and beneficial. While chanting, it is recommended to understand the meaning of each name, as this pleases the Goddess and brings happiness, prosperity, and success to the devotee.

During Navratri, the Goddess manifests in nine different forms, each worshipped on a specific day.

1. Shailputri (First Day - March 30, 2025)
   • Form : Daughter of the Himalayas, the first form of Goddess Durga
   • Vehicle : Bull (Vrishabha)
   • Attributes : Adorned with a trident and a lotus
   • Benefits : Grants mental stability, strength, and courage
2. Brahmacharini (Second Day - March 31, 2025)
   • Form : The ascetic form, Goddess of knowledge and penance
   • Attributes : Holds a rosary and a water pot (Kamandal)
   • Qualities : Enhances self-restraint, patience, and inner strength
   • Benefits : Brings wealth, prosperity, and happiness in family life
3. Chandraghanta (Second Day - March 31, 2025)
   • Form : Fierce warrior, radiating a golden aura, riding a tiger

Observing a fast during Chaitra Navratri not only provides spiritual benefits but also contributes to good health. Its benefits include:

• Purification of the body and mind, along with improved digestion.
• A calm mind filled with positive energy.
• Enhanced self-discipline and concentration.
• Support in spiritual growth.

1. Why is Chaitra Navratri celebrated?

Chaitra Navratri is observed in Hinduism for the worship of Goddess Durga. It is also known as Vasant Navratri, symbolizing the renewal of nature. It is believed that during these nine days, Goddess Durga resides on Earth and blesses her devotees with strength, prosperity, and peace. This Navratri is considered a sacred period for self-purification, devotion, and gaining new energy.

2. When is Chaitra Navratri in 2025?

Chaitra Navratri in 2025 will begin on March 30, 2025 (Sunday), and conclude on April 6, 2025 (Sunday). The festival of Ram Navami will also be celebrated on April 6, 2025 (Sunday).

3. What are the auspicious timings for Chaitra Navratri 2025 Puja?

Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) Muhurat: March 30, 2025 – 5:22 AM to 6:48 AM, 8:26 AM to 10:22 AM, and 12:19 PM to 1:07 PM

Ram Navami Festival Date:April 6, 2025 (Sunday)

• Navami Tithi Begins : April 5, 2025, at 7:28 PM
• Navami Tithi Ends: April 6, 2025, at 7:24 PM

(Exact Muhurat may vary based on location and Panchang, so refer to the local Panchang for precise timings.)

4. Which deity is worshipped in the month of Chaitra?

In the Chaitra month, Lord Shri Ram and Goddess Durga are primarily worshipped. During Navratri, devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga, while on Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ram is celebrated with great devotion.

5. What is Garba in Navratri 2025?

Garba is a traditional dance, primarily performed in Gujarat and other Indian states during Navratri. It is a devotional dance dedicated to Goddess Durga, where people dressed in traditional attire perform Garba and Dandiya. Although Garba is more popular during Sharadiya Navratri (September-October), it is also organized in some places during Chaitra Navratri.

6. Is Griha Pravesh (housewarming) considered auspicious during Chaitra Navratri 2025?

According to Sanatan Jyoti, it is advisable to avoid auspicious ceremonies like Griha Pravesh during the months of Chaitra, Ashadha, Ashwin, and Paush. It is believed that performing such ceremonies during these months does not yield complete positive results and may lead to financial loss or other obstacles. This knowledge has been attained by saints through deep penance and spiritual practices.

However, in the present time, many scholars do perform Griha Pravesh and other auspicious rituals during Chaitra Navratri. Yet, from a scriptural perspective, ceremonies conducted in these months may not bring the desired positive outcomes. Therefore, as per Sanatan tradition, it is considered best to postpone such auspicious activities during these specific months.