The festival of Navratri in India is the main time of Goddess worship. This festival comes twice a year – Chaitra Navratri and Sharadiya Navratri. Chaitra Navratri has a special place in these two as it is also a symbol of the beginning of Hindu New Year. Chaitra Navratri starts on March 30 in the year 2025 and Ashtami Tithi i.e. Ashtami Pujan will be celebrated on Sunday, April 6, 2025. In this article we will know – historical and religious importance of Chaitra Navratri, worship method, auspicious time of worship and various religious attitudes related to it.
Chaitra Navratri: Brief introduction
Navratri means ‘nine nights’, which are dedicated to the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Chaitra Navratri comes especially in the spring, when nature is filled with innovation. This time is considered to worship power and spiritual purification.
The dates of Chaitra Navratri 2025 are as follows:
Pratipada (first day): 30 March 2025
Ashtami (Eighth Day): 6 April 2025
Navami (Ninth Day): 7 April 2025
Religious and historical significance of Ashtami Tithi
Ashtami is also known as Durga Ashtami, Mahashtami or Kanya Pujan Day. This day is dedicated to the worship of Mahagauri, the eighth form of Maa Durga.
The form of Maa Mahagauri:
Maa Mahagauri is considered a white clothing, Chandramukhi, and a very calm form of Goddess.
They have four arms and they are riding on the bull.
This goddess defeats the sins of devotees and gives them peace, beauty and salvation.
According to history, on the day of Ashtami, Goddess Durga killed demons like Mahishasura and restored religion. This day is a symbol of the victory of power.
Importance of Ashtami worship
Ashtami Tithi is called Mahashtami and is considered the most powerful day of Navratri. On this day, Shakti Swaroopa girls are worshiped because they are considered to be the form of Mother Durga.
On this day, devotees observe fast, do special worship and invite girls and pleased them by giving them food, gifts and Dakshina.
Religious importance of girl worship
Kanya Pujan is performed on both Ashtami and Navami of Navratri, but most people consider Ashtami to be more auspicious.
Why is the girl worship done?
Girls symbolize the nine forms of Maa Durga.
Through them, devotees try to please the mother.
This worship is the honor of female power, purity and life -giving energy.
It is said in the Puranas:
“Kanya Pujanam Samyak Kritva Labhte Sukhm.
Pujyantte this Girisuta Tasan Rupan Sada Santam. “
That is, the devotee who worships the girls methodically, gets happiness and prosperity.
Auspicious time of Virgo Pujan on Ashtami of Chaitra Navratri 2025
Chaitra Shukla Ashtami Tithi Starts:
Ashtami date ends:
The best time for Virgo Pujan and Ashtami Puja:
Morning Muhurta: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on 6 April
Abhijeet Muhurta: 12:00 pm to 12:50 pm
Putual Muhurta: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Worshiping in these times gives special fruits.
Law of Ashtami Pujan and Virgo Pujan
1. Ashtami Pujan Method:
Take a bath in the morning and wear clean clothes.
Clean the place of worship of the house and install the urn.
Install the idol or picture of Goddess Durga and Maa Mahagauri.
Offer them roli, rice, flowers, garlands, akshat, and naivedya.
Read Durga Saptashati or Goddess Kavach.
Light a lamp of ghee and perform aarti with camphor.
Keep pudding, puri and gram in offerings.
2. Virgo Pujan Method:
Invite 9 girls aged 2 years to 10 years.
Wash their feet and sit on the seat.
Apply tilak, offer flowers and salute them with folded hands.
Provide them food for puri, gram and pudding.
Give every girl off with chunari, gift or Dakshina.
It is also considered auspicious to feed a child (Langur).
Importance and rules of fasting on Ashtami
Fasting Ashtami brings mental peace and family happiness.
Fasting is kept on this day – either fruit or waterless fast.
Fasting should maintain sattvikta during Navratri.
“Nityanya: Kuruta Bhakta Durgashtamya Vratamuttamam.
S Yati Paramam Lala Vishnulokam S Nischayam ”
That is, the devotee who observes Durga Ashtami with reverence attains the ultimate salvation.
Benefits of Chaitra Navratri Ashtami
Goddess’s grace with Virgo Pujan: Virgo worship brings happiness and prosperity in the house.
Freedom from enemies: Enemies are calm by worshiping Mahagauri.
Wish fulfillment: Wishes are fulfilled by fast and havan.
The grace of the Navagrahas: Especially the defects of Saturn and Rahu-Ketu are calm.
Receipt of religious virtue: Fasting, worship and charity attains virtue.
What work specially do on Ashtami:
Give food, clothes and donation to the poor
Cow service
Worship holy trees like Peepal, Tulsi, Shami etc.
Chant the Devi Mantras (eg – “Om and Hr Klein Chamundayi Vichhe”)
Pleased girls – give them sweets, toys or books
conclusion
The Ashtami of Chaitra Navratri is not only a festival of worship of power, but it is also an opportunity to respect the female power and to awaken spiritual consciousness in life. This day is coming on 6 April in the year 2025, which will be special for the devotees. If you worship, fast and worship the girl on this day, then by the grace of Goddess Mahagauri, there will be happiness, peace and prosperity in your life.
