Devi Navaratri 2025 begins today, with devotees across the country offering prayers to Goddess Durga with devotion and reverence. Celebrated annually from the Pratipada (first day) of the Shukla Paksha in Ashwayuja month, Navaratri spans nine days, with the Goddess worshipped in a unique form each day. From Pratipada to Dashami, devotees adorn the Goddess in different manifestations and perform special rituals to seek her blessings.
On the first day, devotees worship the Goddess as Bala Tripura Sundari Devi. Priests recommend taking an early morning bath, wearing clean clothes, and decorating the idol or picture of the Goddess with flowers, especially red and pink roses. A lamp with cow’s ghee and incense sticks should be lit in her presence. Devotees are advised to recite the Lalita Sahasranama after the puja and offer kheer (payasam) made with jaggery instead of sugar. The rituals conclude with applying kumkum and performing aarti. Following these practices is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and well-being to the household.
During the nine days of Navaratri, the Goddess is worshipped in the following forms: Bala Tripura Sundari Devi, Sri Gayatri Devi, Sri Annapurna Devi, Sri Katyayani Devi, Sri Mahalakshmi Devi, Sri Lalita Devi, Sri Chandi Devi, Sri Saraswati Devi, Durga Devi, Mahishasura Mardini Devi, and Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi.