By Simran Sukhnani

Copyright timesnownews

The season of colours and dandiya is almost here. Navratri begins on Monday, 22 September, with Ghatasthapana (also called Kalash Sthapana) welcoming it. This Navratri is also called Shardiya Navratri. The festival is celebrated for nine nights as the name goes Nav meaning (nine) and Ratri (meaning night). Usually this is followed as the end of Navratri makes way for Vijayadashmi or Dussehra, but interestingly, this year Navratri is coming with an extra day. So according to this, celebrations will continue till Wednesday, 1 October and then Vijayadashami (Dussehra) will be celebrated on Thursday, 2 October. Navratri is one of the most beautiful and symbolic Hindu festivals that is dedicated to Goddess Durag and celebrates her nine forms, also known as Navadurga. But this is not the only Navratri there is. It is celebrated four times a year, the other ones being Chaitra Navratri (celebrated during the spring season), Gupt Navratri (celebrated during June-July months) and Paush Navratri (celebrated during December-January months). But Shardiya Navratri is the one most widely observed. Story behind Navratri The core story behind the celebrations of Navratri is all about the battle between demon Mahishasura and Durga Maa. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura received a boon from gods that no man or god will be able to defeat him. This gave him immense power with which he eventually caused chaos and suffering so the gods had to come together and find a solution. They combined their energies to create Durga, a fierce goddess who came with divine weapons in all her hands. The epic battle between Mahishasura and Durga is said to have lasted nine days and nights and on the tenth day, Durga finally defeated Mahishasura and restored righteousness (dharma) in the world. This victory is the triumph of good over evil that is celebrated through Navratri and Vijayadashami. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga and each represents different virtues of her as well. Shailaputri denotes strength and leadership, Brahmacharini is for devotion and purity, Chandraghanta stands for courage and bravery, Kushmanda for optimism and creativity, Skandamata for compassion, Katyayani denotes determination, Kalaratri stands for justice, Mahagauri for calm and wisdom, and Siddhidatri denotes fulfillment. Significance & importanceSpiritual & moral victory: At its core, Navratri is all about the victory of good over evil as light prevails and darkness comes to an end. The legend of the battle between Durga and Mahishasura is a timeless tale that reminds us that all that matters is courage and the path to dharma. It inspires people to cleanse themselves from negativity and find their spiritual right path. Worship of the power of Shakti: Navratri is the festival where we celebrate Durga Maa and her different forms, ultimately the divine feminine as Shakti or Devi. In many mythological tales, the goddess is also said to embody both nurturing traits and warrior-like aspects. This elevates the respect for women, motherhood, and feminine strength. Read More: Why Navratri Comes Four Times A Year, And What Makes Each One Unique Rituals, fasting & discipline: Many devotees keep fasts and perform puja rituals throughout the nine days of Navratri. They recite texts like Durga Saptashati or related scriptures. Towards the 8th and 9th day, people also do Kanya Puja where they invite young girls home and feed them good food as they are seen to be manifestations of the goddess. Devotees also follow the colours of each day religiously. Cultural & community celebrations: Beyond just the religious aspect and obervance, Navratri is also seen as a massive cultural event. Garba and Dandiya dances are performed and huge Durga Puja pandals are set up in many regions like Gujarat and West Bengal. People decorate their homes, feast and sing, celebrating their hearts out! It’s a festival of joy, devotion, art and shared identity. This year the Ghatasthapana Muhurat (the sacred time to establish the Kalash) is between 6:09 AM and 8:06 AM on 22 September 2025. Read More: Why Does Goddess Durga’s Idol Feature a Spider Below Her Bindi?