Navratri is a festival that lasts for nine days, during which Maa Durga is worshipped. There are two Navratri Festivals: one during the Spring (March-April) and the other during the Autumn (September-October). The Spring Navratri is referred to as Chaitra Navratri because it takes place in the month of Chaitra, while the Autumn festival is referred to as Sharadiya Navratri because it takes place in the month of Sharad.
Maa Durga is considered to have nine different forms. During Navratri, Maa Durga is worshipped in nine different forms and everyone observes fasts and worships these nine forms of Maa Durga. Navratri is celebrated with great happiness and pomp, as it is an extremely significant festival to the people of Hindu traditions.
This year, Chaitra Navratri will commence on Sunday, March 30th and will conclude on Sunday, April 6. The festival will only last eight days, rather than nine. This will occur due to the Dwitiya and Tritiya tithis on the same day and, therefore, Dwitiya and Tritiya will occur on March 31, 2025.
Read further to know about the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped over the nine days of Navratri.
Day 1: Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She is the daughter of Lord Himalaya.
Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. Goddess Parvati was believed to have taken birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati.
Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She is believed to be the married form of Goddess Parvati.
Day 4: Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She has the power and capability to live inside the sun.
Day 5: Maa Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. Hence, she was named Goddess Skandamata, once being the mother of Lord Skanda (Lord Kartikeya).
Day 6: Maa Katyayani is the name of the worship on the sixth day of Navratri. She is depicted as having a goddess holding a sword, which symbolizes strength and courage. She is also the most fierceness seen in Goddess Parvati; she is taken into form to kill the demon Mahishasura.
Day 7: The worship of Maa Kalaratri is done on the seventh day of Navratri. She is depicted as a goddess with a dark complexion, which symbolizes the annihilation or destruction of evil.
Day 8: The worship of Maa Mahagauri is done on the eighth day of Navratri. She is depicted as a goddess with a white complexion, which is means purity and innocence – everything associated with positive morals.
Day 9: The worship of Maa Siddhidatri is done on the ninth day of Navratri. She is depicted as a goddess in a meditative posture, that means spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Also Read: Chaitra Navratri 2025: Devotion And Rituals Begin On March 30—Here’s What You Need To Know
