Last Updated:
Chaitra Navratri 2025: Ashtami falls on April 5 and Navami on April 6. Devotees perform Kanya Puja, honouring nine young girls representing Goddess Durga.
Kanya Puja is performed on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri.
Chaitra Navratri 2025 Ashtami & Navami Dates: It is that time of the year when India is worshipping the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, known as Navdurga. The nine-day festival is celebrated with full fervour and zest. During the festival, devotees observe a variety of rituals, such as fasting, prayer, meditation, and attending ornate events at temples devoted to Goddess Durga.
It is believed that Chaitra Navratri is an opportune time for purification, spiritual rejuvenation, and requesting divine blessings. It represents the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness, and righteousness over wickedness.
This year, Navratri festivities commenced on March 30 and will end with Dashmi on April 7. But there is often confusion about the Ashtami and Navami tithis. In this article, let’s check when Ashtami and Navami are, the Kanya puja timings and its rituals.
Chaitra Navratri 2025: Dates
- Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri, will be celebrated on April 5 (Saturday). On this day, devotees worship Goddess Mahagauri.
- Navami, on the other hand, will be observed on April 6 (Sunday). Devotees perform Kanya Pujan, also known as Kumari Puja, Kumarika Puja and Kanjak Puja, to bring good fortune, wealth and happiness into their lives.
Chaitra Navratri 2025: Shubh Muhurat
As per Drik Panchang, the Ashwin Shukla Ashtami Tithi begins at 8:12 PM on April 4 and ends at 7:26 PM on April 5. Navami Tithi begins at 7:26 PM on April 5 and ends at 7:22 PM on April 6.
Chaitra Navratri 2025: Kanya Pujan Muhurat
The Kanya Pujan Muhurat on Ashtami is as follows:
- Brahma Muhurat: 4:35 AM to 5:21 AM
- Pratah Sandhya: 4:58 AM to 6:07 AM
- Abhijit Muhurat: 11:59 AM to 12:49 PM
- The Kanya Pujan Muhurat on Navami is as follows:
- Brahma Muhurat: 4:34 AM to 5:20 AM
- Pratah Sandhya: 4:57 AM to 6:05 AM
- Abhijit Muhurat: 11:58 AM to 12:49 PM
Kanya Puja 2024: Rituals
Kanya Puja is a Hindu ritual that honours the nine forms of Goddess Durga during the Navratri festival. It is performed on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri.
Nine young girls, also known as Kanjak, between the ages of 2 and 10, are worshipped on this day. The young girls represent various forms of Maa Durga, which include Kumarika, Trimurti, Kalyani, Rohini, Kali, Chandika, Shambhavi, Durga, Bhadra, or Subhadra.
If you are also planning to perform Kanya Puja this year, check below for the step-by-step rituals.
- Invite nine young girls (between 2 and 10 years of age) to your home.
- Then, wash the girls’ feet with water, wipe them, and place them on a pedestal.
- Now, tie the holy thread, known as Kalawa or moli, around their wrists, while also applying vermilion to their foreheads.
- Following this, serve a variety of dishes such as poori, chana, ghee halwa, coconut, sweets and kheer to the young girls.
- Once they are done eating, offer money or gifts such as new dresses, bangles and study materials.
- Lastly, touch their feet and seek blessings.