Chaitra Navratri 2025: The auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated annually on the first day of the month of Chaitra, marking the beginning of the Hindu lunar year. The nine-day festival is dedicated to the worship of the nine forms of Maa Durga - Navdurga - and devotees observe fasts during this time. This year, it begins on March 30 with Ghatasthapana and concludes on April 7 with Ram Navami.

There are four Navratri in a year, but only two of them, Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri, are celebrated widely across the country. Most customs and rituals followed during Shardiya Navratri are also followed during Chaitra Navratri. If you and your loved ones are celebrating the festival and keeping the Chaitra Navratri fasts, here are some dos and don'ts you need to keep in mind.

Chaitra Navratri 2025 fasting rules: Dos and don'ts

1. Start your day with a purifying bath. Prior to conducting the puja, ensure the puja space is clean, then recite the mantras dedicated to Maa Durga, perform the aarti, and present the goddess with offerings of sweets and other satvik foods.

2. Each day of Chaitra Navratri is devoted to honoring Goddess Durga and her nine distinct forms: Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. These nine forms are revered during the fasting period of Navratri.

3. Each avatar of Maa Durga is associated with a specific auspicious color. Devotees are encouraged to wear new, clean garments in the color corresponding to that day to honor the goddesses. These colors also carry significant meanings.

4. The first day of Navratri features the ritual of Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana, which is the initial and most important ceremony of the festival. This ritual should be performed at the onset of the festival while the Pratipada phase is in effect.

5. It is essential to maintain a clean and pure environment in your home. Thoroughly clean your house before the festival commences and uphold cleanliness throughout the nine days.

6. Observing Navratri fasts serves to detoxify the body and purify the mind. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from consuming grains, non-vegetarian foods, alcohol, and certain spices. Some devotees choose to fast by consuming only fruits, milk, and light vegetarian meals.

During the Navratri fast, individuals may consume kuttu, sabudana (sago), rajgira, makhana, arbi, pumpkin, potatoes, singhare ka atta, samak rice, nuts, and dried fruits, along with rock salt, cumin, buckwheat, ginger, and green chilies. Additionally, dairy products such as milk, paneer, cheese, dahi, lassi, buttermilk, and chhena are permitted and encouraged during the fasting period, as they are considered satvik.

7. On the eighth or ninth day (Ashtami or Navami), conduct Kanya Pujan, where you welcome young girls (Kanyas) into your home, wash their feet, and provide them with food and gifts, as they represent the essence of Goddess Sh

8. Avoid telling lies, using harsh language, or engaging in arguments. Maintain a calm and peaceful demeanour through the nine days.

9. Avoid wearing black clothes during the auspicious festival of Navratri.

10. Once the Kalash is established during the Ghatasthapana ritual, avoid moving it until the Visarjan (immersion) ceremony on the last day.

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