Chaitra Navratri 2025 Ashtami and Navami Dates: When is Navratri Kanya Pujan Muhurat

Chaitra Navratri 2025 Ashtami and Navami Dates: When is Navratri Kanya Pujan Muhurat

Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is observed with great devotion across India. Among these nine days, Ashtami and Navami hold special significance, especially for Kanya Pujan, an important ritual of Navratri.

Chaitra Durgashtami 2025 – Saturday, April 5, 2025

Durga Ashtami, also known as Mahashtami, is one of the most significant days of Navratri. On this day, devotees invoke the nine forms of Goddess Durga by installing nine sacred pots. Worshipping all nine forms of the Goddess on this day is considered highly auspicious.

One of the most revered rituals performed on Mahashtami is Sandhi Puja. This ritual is observed during the transition period between Ashtami and Navami Tithi, known as Sandhi Kaal. The last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami are considered the most powerful moments for seeking divine blessings. Sandhi Puja holds a special place in Durga Puja celebrations, as it is believed that Goddess Durga manifested her fierce form, Chamunda, during this time to defeat the demons Chanda and Munda.

Rama Navami marks the birth of Lord Rama and falls on the Navami Tithi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. It is celebrated with great fervour across India, especially in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama.

ALSO READ | Ram Navami Date 2025: When is Rama Navami - April 5 or April 6?

The Madhyahna Muhurat (midday moment), which signifies the exact birth time of Lord Rama, is the most important period for performing the puja. In 2025, the Madhyahna Muhurat for Rama Navami will be from 11:09 AM to 1:40 PM, lasting for 2 hours and 31 minutes. Temples hold special celebrations, where devotees chant Lord Rama’s name and perform elaborate rituals.

• Naimittika (casual fasting): Observed without any specific cause.
• Nitya (lifelong fasting): Observed every year as a commitment.
• Kamya (desire-based fasting): Observed to fulfil a wish.

ALSO READ | Sita Navami 2025: When is Janaki Navami? Check Date, Puja Muhurat, Rituals, and Significance

Kanya Pujan – A Sacred Navratri Ritual

Kanya Pujan is a vital part of Navratri, usually performed on Ashtami or Navami. In this ritual, young girls (symbolic of the divine feminine energy) are worshipped as forms of Goddess Durga. Devotees wash their feet, offer them food, and seek their blessings for prosperity and happiness. This tradition signifies the honouring of feminine divinity and the importance of purity and innocence.

Chaitra Navratri 2025 brings with it the divine celebrations of Durga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja, and Rama Navami. Observing these sacred days with devotion, fasting, and rituals helps devotees attain divine grace. Whether it is seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga on Maha Ashtami or celebrating the birth of Lord Rama on Navami, these festivals hold immense spiritual significance in Hindu tradition.

ALSO READ | April 2025 Hindu Festivals Calendar: Complete List of Dates for Navami, Ekadashi, Amavasya, Purnima, Chaitra Navratri and Other Important Vrats