Shardiya Navratri is the most popular of the four Navratris celebrated in the year. The festival dedicated to goddess Durga and her nine avatars is celebrated across the country with slight variations. In many parts of India, it is customary to fast during Navratri and consume only satvik foods. People either observe the fast on all days or few days.
Another highlight of Shardiya Navratri is Durga Puja which is celebrated from the sixth day of the festival until the tenth day, when devotees bid adieu to the goddess. Durga Puja is celebrated with much enthusiasm in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Tripura, Jharkhand, Assam, and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Shardiya Navratri falls in the lunar month of Ashwin. The word ‘Shardiya’ is derived from Sharad ritu which usually lasts from mid-September to mid-November in India. According to Gregorian calendar, Shardiya Navratri usually falls in September or October.
Navratri is usually a nine-day festival with each day dedicated to a different form of goddess Durga. The nine-day festivities culminate on the tenth day with Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
Why Navratri will last for ten days instead of nine this year
Navratri is celebrated for the duration of nine days and the festivities end with Dussehra or Vijayadashmi on most years. This year, according to Drik Panchang calendar, the festival calendar will have one extra day. It will start from September 22, 2025 and conclude on October 2, 2025.
This year Pitru Paksha will have one day less which would be added to the Navratri, making the festival a day longer than usual.
Here are all the dates according to Drikpanchang:
Navratri Day 1 (September 22): Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja – Pratipada
Colour of the day: White
Navratri Day 2 (September 23): Brahmacharini Puja – Dwitiya
Colour of the day: Red
Navratri Day 3 (September 24): Chandraghanta Puja – Tritiya
Colour of the day: Royal blue
Navratri Day 4 (September 25): Vinayaka Chaturthi – Tritiya
Colour of the day: Yellow
Navratri Day 5 (September 26): Kushmanda Puja – Chaturthi
Colour of the day: Green
Navratri Day 6 (September 27): Skandamata Puja – Panchami
Colour of the day: Grey
Navratri Day 7 (September 28): Katyayani Puja – Shashthi
Colour of the day: Orange
Navratri Day 8 (September 29): Kalaratri Puja – Saptami
Colour of the day: Peacock green
Navratri Day 9 (September 30): Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja
Colour of the day: Pink
Navratri Day 10 (October 1): Mahanavami
October 2: Dussehra
