Navratri 2025: Devotees throng temples across India as nine-day festival begins | Videos

The nine-day Sharadiya Navratri festival began today with grand celebrations across India, as devotees gathered in temples to worship Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. The auspicious festival, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, is marked with prayers, fasting, and cultural festivities such as Garba and Dandiya.

Devotees throng temples across India

From Delhi to Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, temples were filled with spiritual fervor on the first day of Navratri 2025.

• Delhi: Large crowds gathered at Kalkaji Temple, Jhandewalan Temple, and the Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir in Chhatarpur, where morning aarti was offered with chants and devotional hymns.
• Mumbai: The historic Mumbadevi Temple witnessed the sacred Kakad Aarti ceremony, a traditional ritual marking the beginning of festivities.
• Madhya Pradesh: Thousands of devotees visited the famous Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, Agar Malwa district, believed to have links to the Mahabharata era, adding to its spiritual significance.

The significance of Navratri

Navratri is one of Hinduism’s most sacred and vibrant festivals, dedicated to worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navdurga. Each day is devoted to a different form of the Goddess, symbolizing aspects such as strength, courage, purity, wisdom, and compassion.

This year, Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana and the worship of Maa Shailputri on September 22, 2025, and will conclude on Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on October 2, 2025.

Devotees observe fasts (vrat), install a kalash at home or temples during shubh muhurat, chant mantras, and perform aarti seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and spiritual strength.

Navratri traditions and celebrations

• Fasting & Puja: Devotees abstain from grains and non-vegetarian food, offering fruits, sweets, and special vrat meals to the Goddess.
• Cultural festivities: In Gujarat and Maharashtra, traditional Garba and Dandiya nights bring communities together with colourful attire, music, and dance.
• Durga Puja Pandals: In West Bengal and eastern India, grand Durga Puja pandals are set up with artistic idols of Maa Durga, attracting lakhs of devotees.

A festival of unity and devotion

Navratri transcends regions, blending spirituality with cultural celebration. From the Himalayas to the coastal temples of South India, the Goddess is invoked with devotion and splendour, making Navratri not just a religious occasion but also a festival of togetherness, joy, and cultural pride.