Chaitra Navratri

Nine Days of Chaitra Navratri & Nine Forms of Maa Durga :

1st Day - Pratipada Tithi ( Sunday, 30th March 2025 ) : On Pratipada Tithi of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped as 'Shailputri' She is considered the daughter of the Himalayas. This form of Goddess Durga rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

2nd day - Dwitiya & Tritiya Tithi ( Monday, 31st March 2025 ) : On Dwitiya Tithi, Goddess Durga is worshipped as 'Brahmacharini'. She is also a form of Uma or Parvati. She is blissful and bestows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Worshiping this form of Goddess Durga is also a way to attain Moksha.

This year, Tritiya Tithi falls along with Dwitiya Tithi. On Tritiya Tithi, Goddess is worshipped as 'Chandraghanta'. She is the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon on her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming and has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands.

3rd day - Chaturthi Tithi ( Tuesday, 1st April 2025 ) : On Chaturthi Tithi of Navratri, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Kushmanda'. It is believed that Kushmanda is the creator of the entire Universe which she has created by her smile. The universe was full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. She has eight hands and holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands.

4th day - Panchami Tithi ( Wednesday, 2nd April 2025 ) : On Panchmi Tithi of Navratri, Goddess is worshipped as 'Skand Mata'. She is actually called so because she is the Mother of Skanda, the chief warrior of the Gods army. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and she holds a lotus in left lower hand which is also raised.

5th day - Shashti Tithi ( Thursday, 3rd April 2025 ) : On Shashti Tithi, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Katyayani' . Goddess Katyayani rides on a magnificent Lion and she has four hands. She carries lotus flower and sword in her right hands and keeps her left hands in Abhaya and Varada Mudras.

6th day - Saptami Tithi ( Friday, 4th April 2025 ) : On Saptami Tithi, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Kalratri'. Her complexion is dark black and she rides on a donkey. She is depicted with four hands. Her right hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra and she carries sword and the deadly iron hook in her left hands.

7th day - Ashtami Tithi ( Saturday, 5th April 2025 ) :  On Ashtami Tithi, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Maha Gauri'. She is considered to be extremely beautiful, white like snow and she wears white colored ornaments. She represents calmness and exhibits Wisdom. Her power is unfailing and praying to her is instantly fruitful. The left upper hand holds a ‘Damaru’ and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees. 8th day of Navratri is also known as Durga Ashtami.

8th day - Navami Tithi also celebrated as Ram Navmi ( Sunday, 6th April 2025 ) : On Navami Tithi, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Siddhidatri'. It is believed she is bestower of all the eight Siddhis. She lives on lotus and has Supernatural healing powers. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishwar.

9th day - Dashmi Tithi / Navratri Parna ( Monday, 7th April 2025 ) : This year, Chaitra Navratri Paarna, which marks the end of the 9 day long Navratri festival will be observed on 7th April. Navratri Parana is also the process of breaking the fast observed during Navratri.