Navratri, one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, returns this year with nine nights of devotion to Goddess Durga followed by the triumphant celebration of Vijayadashami. Here is everything you need to know about Navratri 2025 dates and how the festival unfolds day by day.
When Is Navratri 2025
Shardiya Navratri 2025 begins on Monday, September 22, and concludes on Thursday, October 2, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) marking the festival’s end. This autumn observance, also called Sharad Navratri, is the most widely celebrated of the four Navratris observed throughout the Hindu calendar year, the others being Chaitra, Magha, and Ashadha Navratri.
Ghatasthapana: The Beginning of the Festival
The festival opens with Ghatasthapana, or Kalash Sthapana, performed on the first day during the Pratipada Tithi. This ritual involves placing a sacred kalash filled with water, mango leaves, and a coconut, symbolizing the invocation of Goddess Durga’s energy into the home or temple space. Getting the Ghatasthapana muhurat right is considered important by many devotees, since it sets the tone for the following nine days of worship.
The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a specific form of Durga, collectively known as the Navadurga. The sequence begins with Shailputri on day one, followed by Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and finally Siddhidatri on the ninth day. Devotees performing daily puja typically recite the Durga Saptashati and offer specific prasad associated with each goddess.
Day-Wise Navratri 2025 Colours
A widely followed tradition, especially popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat, involves wearing a specific colour each day to honour a particular form of the goddess. For Navratri 2025, the colour sequence generally follows: white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, orange, peacock green, and pink across the nine days. These colours are believed to carry symbolic meaning — white for peace, red for energy, royal blue for strength, and green for prosperity, among others.
Regional Celebrations Across India
Navratri takes on distinct regional character across the country. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the festival is synonymous with Garba and Dandiya Raas, with vibrant nightly gatherings drawing dancers dressed in traditional attire. In West Bengal, the equivalent celebration takes the form of Durga Puja, centered around elaborate pandals and grand idol worship culminating in Bijoya Dashami. Northern India often marks the festival with Ramlila performances re-enacting the story of Lord Rama, tying into the Dussehra celebration on the final day.
Fasting and Rituals During Navratri
Many devotees observe fasting throughout the nine days, consuming only fruits, milk, and specific permitted foods while avoiding grains, onion, and garlic. The fast is typically broken after Navami puja or on Vijayadashami. Daily aarti, recitation of devotional texts, and visits to Durga temples are common practices observed throughout the festival period.
Vijayadashami: The Culmination
The festival concludes with Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, on October 2, 2025. This day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, and in North India, it simultaneously commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. Effigies of Ravana are burned in many parts of the country as part of the celebrations, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Planning Around Navratri 2025
Since Navratri is a regional holiday rather than a uniform national holiday, bank closures and school schedules can vary by state, so it’s worth checking your local state holiday calendar if you’re planning travel or important errands during this period. Many families also use this auspicious window for starting new ventures, given the widely held belief that the energy of the nine nights supports fresh beginnings.
Navratri and the Approach of Diwali
Navratri also functions as a seasonal marker in the broader festival calendar, arriving roughly three weeks before Diwali each year. Many families use the period following Vijayadashami to begin preparations for Diwali, including home cleaning, shopping, and planning family gatherings, making late September and early October a particularly busy and festive stretch on the Indian calendar.
Navratri Fasting: What to Keep in Mind
For those observing a Navratri fast, it’s worth easing into and out of the fasting period gradually rather than abruptly, particularly if fasting for the full nine days. Staying hydrated, including enough fruits and dairy in permitted foods, and listening to your body’s needs are generally recommended, especially for those with existing health conditions who should consult a doctor before undertaking an extended fast.
A little planning ahead, whether for fasting supplies, festive shopping, or travel, helps you enjoy this busy stretch of the calendar without last-minute stress.
Final Thoughts
Navratri 2025, running from September 22 to October 2, offers nine nights of devotion, dance, and cultural celebration across India, culminating in the joyous festivities of Vijayadashami. Whether you’re observing through fasting and puja, joining Garba nights, or participating in Durga Puja pandals, this is one of the most spiritually significant and widely anticipated periods on the Hindu calendar.