In 2025, Navratri, the nine-day glories festival of goddess Durga, begins with the Ghatasthapana ritual on Monday, 22 September 2025, and ends on Dussehra/Vijayadashami day: Thursday, 2 October 2025. Being an autumn-timed festival, sometimes called Sharad Navratri, it holds importance among these four tides of Navratris, which are Magha, Chaitra, Ashadha, and Sharad, and is held in the Hindu month of Ashwin.
Fasting, Rituals, and Celebrations
Pilgrims might fast for nine days or fast strictly for the first two days and the last two days. Durga Ashtami will fall on Tuesday, 30 September; and Maha Navami on Wednesday, 1 October. Navratri is worshiped in the sweep of the divine feminine Shakti, who is in an indirect way the consolidation of the powers of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer). Otherwise, Navratri is also to commemorate Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, and hence she enjoys the title of Mahishasuramardini.
According to the resurrection of the legend, on Vijaya Dashami, or Dussehra day, Lord Rama worshipped all nine forms of Goddess Durga before going to vanquish Ravana, was blessed by her and returned victorious with the purpose to reclaim Sita.
Colors of Navratri Each Day and Their Meaning
Each and every day of Navratri has a color merely depending on the day of the week as per the ruling planet. Wearing the colors is said to unite the positive energies of the colors to attract the energies of that day into the devotee:
| Day | Date | Weekday | Tithi | Main Rituals / Events | Navratri Colour |
| Day 1 | 22 Sept | Monday | Pratipada | Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja | White |
| Day 2 | 23 Sept | Tuesday | Dwitiya | Chandra Darshan, Brahmacharini Puja | Red |
| Day 3 | 24 Sept | Wednesday | Tritiya | Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja | Dark Blue |
| Day 4 | 25 Sept | Thursday | Tritiya | Vinayaka Chaturthi | Yellow |
| Day 5 | 26 Sept | Friday | Chaturthi | Kushmanda Puja, Upanga Lalita Vrat | Green |
| Day 6 | 27 Sept | Saturday | Panchami | Skandamata Puja | Grey |
| Day 7 | 28 Sept | Sunday | Shashthi | Katyayani Puja | Orange |
| Day 8 | 29 Sept | Monday | Saptami | Saraswati Aawahan, Kaalratri Puja | Peacock Green |
| Day 9 | 30 Sept | Tuesday | Ashtami | Saraswati Puja, Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Sandhi Puja (05:42 PM – 06:30 PM) | Pink |
| Day 10 | 1 Oct | Wednesday | Navami | Maha Navami, Ayudha Puja, Navami Havan | — |
| Day 11 | 2 Oct | Thursday | _ | Vijayadashami (Dussehra), Lord Rama | — |
Throughout the country, Navratri celebrations carry out prayers and fasting; also, Garba and Dandiya nights with colorful attires. The festival originally consists of devotional activities, yet cultural unity, joy, and the victory of good over evil are also emphasized.
Source: Drik Panchang
