When is Navratri 2025? Durga Ashtami & Dussehra Festival

Sharad Navratri 2025 kicks off on September 22nd (yep, that’s a Monday) and runs straight through to October 1st (Wednesday). And then, boom—Vijayadashami or Dussehra lands on October 2nd, which, by the way, is a Thursday. Mark those calendars.

Look, while everyone talks about how Navratri honors Goddess Durga and her nine divine avatars (all about strength, smarts, and a sprinkle of prosperity), it’s not just some checklist of rituals. Honestly, it’s way more alive than that. The whole vibe shifts—streets lit up like it’s Diwali’s warm-up, families huddled together for that soulful aarti, and Garba nights that are basically cardio with a spiritual twist. Everyone’s out, spinning, laughing, eating way too many sweets.

Here’s what’s on offer: you’ll get the lowdown on dates, the good puja timings (because, trust me, someone’s always asking), rituals, the must-have Navratri colors, why Dussehra matters, and some real talk about what all this means for folks today. All with a little heart, because who wants to read something that feels like a textbook?

Ashwin Sharad Navratri 2025 Dates & Calendar

• Day 1 – Pratipada (Sept 22, 2025 – Monday): Ghatsthapana & Shailputri Puja
• Day 2 – Dwitiya (Sept 23, 2025 – Tuesday): Chandra Darshan & Brahmacharini Puja
• Day 3 – Tritiya (Sept 24, 2025 – Wednesday): Sindoor Tritiya & Chandraghanta Puja
• Day 4 – Chaturthi (Sept 25, 2025 – Thursday): Vinayaka Chaturthi
• Day 5 – Panchami (Sept 26, 2025 – Friday): Kushmanda Puja & Upang Lalita Vrat
• Day 6 – Shashthi (Sept 27, 2025 – Saturday): Skandamata Puja
• Day 7 – Saptami (Sept 28, 2025 – Sunday): Katyayani Puja
• Day 8 – Ashtami (Sept 29, 2025 – Monday): Saraswati Avahan & Kalaratri Puja
• Day 9 – Navami (Sept 30, 2025 – Tuesday): Saraswati Puja, Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja & Sandhi Puja
• Day 10 – Dashami (Oct 1, 2025 – Wednesday): Maha Navami, Siddhidatri Puja & Navami Homa

Vijayadashami (Oct 2, 2025 – Thursday): Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan & Dussehra

Significance of Sharad Navratri

Navratri literally means “nine nights”—and trust me, it’s not just about staying up late and having fun (though, if you’ve been to a Garba night, you know there’s plenty of that). It’s about this whole cosmic smackdown between good vibes and negativity. Every single day is dedicated to a different version of Durga—she’s got more personas than a Marvel superhero. It starts off with Shailputri, all about nature and raw power, and wraps up with Siddhidatri, who’s basically handing out spiritual upgrades.

Also read this Navratri 2025: When is Chaitra Navratri and What to Expect?

The main story? Durga versus Mahishasura, the demon dude. Spoiler: she totally owns him. But wait, there’s more! Some folks also tie it to Lord Rama kicking Ravana’s butt—yeah, that’s what Dussehra or Vijayadashami is about.

Navratri isn’t a one-size-fits-all party. Gujarat goes full throttle with Garba and Dandiya (try keeping up; your feet will hate you in the morning). West Bengal? West Bengal hosts massive Durga Puja pandals, which are similar to art installations but significantly more impressive. Down South, it’s all about Ayudha Puja (people literally worship their tools; even laptops get a day off), and up North, you get the epic Ramlila shows. Long story short: it’s nine days of intense devotion, insane energy, and enough cultural mashups to make your head spin. Read more

Rituals, Colors & Traditions of Navratri 2025

• First day, major vibes: people basically call up Goddess Durga, like, “Hey, it’s go time,” but, you know, with flowers and lamps and all during that “perfect moment” (some folks are obsessed with the right muhurat).
• Now, about fasting and prayers—everyone’s got their own style. Some folks go full-on, no-food warrior mode for nine days; others do the fruit-and-yogurt thing, all for this big spiritual reset. It’s kind of like a soul detox, but with more incense and less green juice.
• The color game during Navratri? Oh, it’s on. Every day gets its own shade. 2025’s lineup is:
  • Day 1: Rock the yellow.
  • Day 2: Green’s the scene.
  • Day 3: Grey—surprisingly chic.
  • Day 4: Bring out the orange.
  • Day 5: Keep it pure with white.
  • Day 6: Red. Enough said.
  • Day 7: Royal blue, go bold or go home.
  • Day 8: Pink—because we love a little drama.
  • Day 9: Purple, end it on a regal note.

But honestly, it’s not just about outfits. The energy’s wild—folk dancing in the streets, bhajans blasting, people hopping from temple to temple, and don’t even get me started on the food. Every place does it differently—like, Gujarat’s got garba, Bengal’s all about Durga Puja, and everywhere else just throws in spice. You feel the festival in your bones, not just in your Instagram feed.

Dussehra 2025 – Triumph of Good over Evil

Dussehra’s rolling in on October 2nd, 2025, and honestly, it’s a full-on spectacle. Up north, they torch these massive Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna effigies—think fireworks, booming cheers, the whole shebang. Down in West Bengal, after days of wild Durga Puja, people carry these gorgeous Durga idols through the streets, drumming and dancing, to sink them in the river (and yeah, it’s pretty emotional). Swing by South India, and you’ve got Ayudha Puja: folks line up their tools, books, and even their scooters, all decked out with flowers and turmeric, giving thanks for the stuff that gets them through life.

Big picture? Dussehra is all about good winning out, feeling pumped, and maybe taking a sec to check yourself—are you sticking to your guns, doing the right thing? Honestly, if you’re not feeling inspired after all that, were you even paying attention?

The Emotional Side of Navratri

Navratri isn’t just about rituals, you know? It’s this wild mix of feelings—kids fumbling through Garba moves (and honestly, half of them just spinning around), grandmas dropping epic stories about Durga like old-school legends, and everybody squeezing into the living room for puja and way too much food. And then there’s Dussehra. Boom—Ravana goes up in flames, fireworks everywhere, and for a second you actually believe the good guys get to win.

Conclusion

Sharad Navratri and Dussehra 2025 are going to be something else! It’s not just about the rituals—there’s this crazy mix of devotion, wild colors, and that electric festival vibe in the air. Honestly, who doesn’t get hyped for all the sweets and music and those late-night prayers? Here’s hoping these festivals load up your year with good luck, cash flow, and just straight-up good times. Bring it on!