Shardiya Navratri 2025: Important Dates, Traditional Puja Vidhi & Complete Samagri List to Welcome Maa Durga at Home

The festival of Shardiya Navratri is one of the most important times for devotees of Maa Durga. For nine days, people worship the nine forms of the goddess with great love and devotion. Many also observe fasts and perform special rituals. This year, Shardiya Navratri will be celebrated in the months of September and October, filling homes with prayers, colors, and festive energy.

When Is Navratri in 2025?

Shardiya Navratri will begin on Monday, September 22, 2025, with Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) and the worship of Maa Shailputri, the first form of Maa Durga. While some regional calendars may mark September 21 as the start of Pratipada, the widely accepted date based on the Panchang is September 22. The nine-day festival will conclude with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on October 2, 2025.

Setting Up the Kalash

On the first day, devotees perform Kalash Sthapana, also known as Ghatasthapana. The Kalash is a sacred pot that is placed to invite the presence of Maa Durga. For this, you need some specific items that hold special meaning in the ritual.

Things needed for Kalash installation:

• Pure soil
• Barley for sowing
• A pot made of clay, brass, or copper
• Fresh mango or ashoka leaves tied together
• A small bowl to place on top of the urn
• Grains to fill the bowl
• A coconut
• A red cloth or chunari
• Kalava (sacred red thread)
• Tilak made of vermilion and turmeric
• Akshat (rice)
• Clean water and Ganga water
• One coin
• One betel nut

Items for Navratri Puja

After the Kalash is set up, devotees perform daily puja to honor Maa Durga. The worship requires several sacred items.

Navratri Puja materials:

• Statue or idol of Maa Durga
• Red-colored cloth
• Wooden post
• Sindoor (vermillion)
• Akshat (rice)
• Sweets
• Flowers and garlands
• Shringar (makeup items)
• Kamalgatta (lotus seeds)
• Panchmeva (five types of dry fruits)
• Betel leaves and betel nut
• Clove and small cardamom
• Batasha (sugar drops)
• Deepak (ghee lamp)
• Camphor
• Ghee
• Incense sticks
• Fruits
• Nutmeg and javitri
• Coconut
• Naivedya (offering of food)
• Some money

Things to Keep in Mind

Before starting Navratri, clean your home well and decorate the entrance with a colorful rangoli to welcome Maa Durga. While worshipping, keep important wedding-related items like red chunari, red flowers, kumkum, vermilion, red bangles, bindi, and jewelry. These can be donated to a needy woman on the last day of Navratri.

Chant the mantra “Dun Durgayai Namah” while offering prayers. It is also considered auspicious to worship young girls along with the goddess and give money or useful gifts for their education.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article about Shardiya Navratri 2025, including dates, rituals, and puja materials, is based on traditional beliefs, commonly followed practices, and references from Hindu religious texts and regional calendars. Customs and timings may vary depending on local traditions, community practices, and different Panchang (Hindu calendars). Readers are advised to consult their family priests, local temple authorities, or trusted spiritual guides for specific guidance before performing any rituals. This article is intended for general informational purposes only.