Navaratri 2025: Dates, Puja Vidhi, and All 9 Days Explained
Navaratri 2025 Guide, the nine-night festival celebrating the divine feminine energy, is a profound spiritual journey. It represents transformation—from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge, and from ego’s grasp to the soul’s liberation. More than just a festival, it is an opportunity for a complete spiritual and personal reset.
The 9-Day Spiritual Journey: A Goddess for Every Stage
The nine days of Navaratri are traditionally divided into three sets of three.
- Days 1–3: Worship Goddess Durga (Maha Kali) to destroy negative energies.
- Days 4–6: Worship Goddess Lakshmi (Maha Lakshmi) for spiritual and material prosperity.
- Days 7–9: Worship Goddess Saraswati (Maha Saraswati) to attain divine knowledge and wisdom.
Day 1: Maa Shailaputri – The Daughter of the Mountains
Goddess & Theme: Maa Shailaputri represents the beginning of the spiritual journey. Her name means “daughter of the mountains,” symbolizing strength and a solid foundation.
Color: Red, symbolizing fierce energy, passion, and vitality.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 1 and the Sun, this day is about initiating your journey, setting intentions, and discovering your unique path.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Kalash Sthapana: Place a kalash filled with water, mango leaves, and a coconut on a bed of mud and barley seeds.
- Offerings: Offer ghee to Maa Shailaputri for health and freedom from diseases.
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Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini – The Goddess of Discipline
Goddess & Theme: Maa Brahmacharini embodies penance, discipline, and emotional strength. Her story of penance to marry Lord Shiva teaches perseverance.
Color: Red or White; red symbolizes devotion, white represents purity and serenity.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 2 and the Moon, Day 2 focuses on patience, intuition, and emotional balance.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Meditate on her serene form to gain emotional strength.
- Offer sugar-based sweets like mishri or jaggery.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः (Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: दधाना कर पद्माभ्याम् अक्षमाला कमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Remedies:
- Practice self-discipline through fasting, silence, or healthy habits.
- Heal relationships with forgiveness.
- Meditate and chant mantras for emotional stability.
- Donate milk, rice, or white clothes to cultivate compassion.
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Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta – The Warrior of Grace
Goddess & Theme: Maa Chandraghanta represents a balance of grace and power. Her crescent moon terrifies evil while protecting devotees.
Color: Yellow, symbolizing joy and creative energy.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 3 and Jupiter, Day 3 encourages self-expression, creativity, and inner harmony.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Ring a bell during puja to align with her energy.
- Offer milk-based sweets like kheer or rasgulla.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: पिण्डजप्रवरारुढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Remedies:
- Engage in creative expression like painting, writing, or music.
- Speak your truth through journaling or heartfelt conversations.
- Meditate to balance your protective and gentle sides.
- Donate books, yellow clothes, or educational materials.
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Day 4: Maa Kushmanda – The Creator of the Universe
Goddess & Theme: Maa Kushmanda is revered as the creator of the cosmos. She manifests desires and attracts abundance.
Color: Green, representing life, growth, and fertile energy.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 4 and Rahu, Day 4 emphasizes discipline, structure, and transforming ideas into reality.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Offer green flowers and Malpua (flour and jaggery sweet).
- Meditate on the goddess visualizing your dreams manifesting.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः (Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्त पद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Remedies:
- Walk barefoot or connect with nature to ground energy.
- Turn ideas into action.
- Donate green items or food to those in need.
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Day 5: Maa Skandamata – The Mother of Wisdom
Goddess & Theme: Maa Skandamata, mother of Lord Skanda, symbolizes nurturing, protection, and wisdom.
Color: Orange, representing warmth, spiritual light, and maternal energy.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 5 and Mercury, Day 5 teaches adaptability, communication, and wise navigation of change.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Meditate on her nurturing form and bless your family.
- Offer bananas or sweets made from them.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः (Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Remedies:
- Spend quality time nurturing loved ones.
- Practice grounding meditation.
- Seek guidance from elders or scriptures.
- Donate bananas or food.
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Day 6: Maa Katyayani – The Goddess of Justice
Goddess & Theme: Maa Katyayani is the fierce warrior goddess who destroys evil. Worship on this day builds courage and removes obstacles.
Color: Red or White; red symbolizes bravery, white represents purity.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 6 and Venus, Day 6 emphasizes balance, righteousness, and harmonious action.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Perform the puja with courage and focus.
- Offer honey, symbolizing divine wisdom.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः (Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: दधाना हस्तां चैव कमलासनस्थिताम्। सर्वसिद्धिप्रदां देवि कात्यायनीं नमाम्यहम्॥
Day 7: Maa Kaalratri – The Destroyer of Darkness
Goddess & Theme: Maa Kaalratri represents the destruction of fear and ignorance. Devotees focus on spiritual liberation.
Color: Blue, symbolizing tranquility and strength.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 7 and Ketu, Day 7 encourages introspection and facing inner fears.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Visualize obstacles being destroyed.
- Offer jaggery, symbolizing transformation of darkness into sweetness.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः (Om Devi Kaalratryai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: अस्याः प्रसीदति सर्वशत्रुनाशिनी। भयहरिण्यै महाकालरात्र्यै नमो नमः॥
Day 8: Maa Mahagauri – The Goddess of Purity
Goddess & Theme: Maa Mahagauri embodies purity, forgiveness, and cleansing of karma.
Color: Pink, representing love, compassion, and new beginnings.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 8 and Saturn, Day 8 focuses on karmic balance and spiritual purification.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Kanya Pujan: Worship girls aged 2–10 as living goddesses.
- Offer coconuts for blessings.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः (Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah)
- Dhyana Mantra: सिंहासनगता पद्मनाभा वरदायिनी। शुद्धवस्त्रधारिणी च महागौरि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri – The Giver of Powers
Goddess & Theme: Maa Siddhidatri grants all boons and supernatural powers. Day 9 focuses on spiritual fulfillment and completion.
Color: Purple, symbolizing ambition, dignity, and divine wisdom.
Numerological Insight: Ruled by number 9 and Mars, this day teaches the completion of cycles and preparation for new beginnings.
Puja Vidhi & Offerings:
- Grand Navami Puja includes Kanya Pujan.
- Offer sesame-based sweets (til) to remove fear and attract blessings.
Mantras:
- Beej Mantra: ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः (Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah)
What is the main purpose of Navaratri?
To celebrate the victory of good over evil and seek Goddess Durga’s blessings for spiritual growth, personal strength, and prosperity.
What are the food rules for Navaratri fasting?
Avoid grains like wheat, rice, and lentils. Eat fruits, dairy, and permitted flours such as kuttu, singhara, and sabudana. Avoid onions and garlic.
Why do people fast during Navaratri?
Fasting purifies the body and mind, making a person more receptive to divine energy.
What is the significance of the nine nights?
They symbolize the nine stages of battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, culminating in her victory.
Difference between Navaratri and Dussehra?
Navaratri is nine nights of goddess worship; Dussehra is the tenth day marking her victory and, in some regions, Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana.
Significance of Navaratri colors?
Each color aligns with the goddess’s energy for that day. For example, pink for purity, green for abundance, red for vitality.