Zqeiqbo Chakravarty (Steward Stewardess)

In North India, Navratri is observed mainly with fasting, Ramleela plays, and Durga Puja pandals. People worship Goddess Durga with daily aartis and read Durga Saptashati. In Gujarat, the highlight is Garba and Dandiya nights, where people dance in colorful traditional clothes. So while North India focuses more on rituals and fasting, Gujarat celebrates it as a cultural dance festival.

Some popular vrat recipes are:- Sabudana Khichdi – light and filling. - Kuttu ki puri with aloo sabzi. - Makhana kheer – made with lotus seeds and milk. - Lauki halwa – sweet dish with bottle gourd. - Fruit chaat with sendha namak. These are healthy and also keep energy levels high during fasting.

This year, people are also preferring handmade beaded jewelry, shell ornaments, and wooden bangles to match eco-friendly fashion. They are lightweight and easy to carry while dancing. Girls love pairing them with lehengas and chaniya-cholis.

The trending ornaments for Navratri 2025 are mostly oxidized silver jewelry like heavy jhumkas, choker necklaces, long chain malas, and bangles. For Garba nights, colorful mirror-work bangles, waist belts (kamarbandh), and maang tikka are in fashion. Men usually go for turbans and kada bracelets. These accessories not only complete the outfit but also highlight the festive vibe.

From a spiritual perspective, it is not just about rituals but also about mind training. Reciting mantras with focus improves concentration, patience, and positivity. So it is also beneficial for personal development.

For me, Maha Saptami is special because it’s when Durga Puja truly starts in our city. The pandals light up, dhakis (drummers) play their beats, and the festive mood reaches its peak. It feels like the Goddess herself has arrived.

Maha Saptami marks the beginning of Utsav Puja in Bengal. On this day, the idol of Goddess Durga is infused with life force in a ritual called Pran Pratishtha. In other regions, people perform special aarti and fasting, as it is considered a highly auspicious day to destroy negativity.

I visited Vaishno Devi once during Navratri. The energy is amazing, with continuous chanting of “Jai Mata Di.” The whole mountain route is decorated, and people distribute prasad. The temple remains open 24 hours for darshan during these nine days.

Shailputri is the first form of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on the first day because she represents purity and strength. She rides a bull and carries a trident, which shows that devotees should start Navratri with discipline and devotion.

I always heard from elders that these three goddesses represent the complete cycle of life. First, you need power (Durga/Parvati) to overcome challenges. Then you need wealth (Lakshmi) to maintain life. At last, knowledge (Saraswati) guides you on the right path. That’s why Navratri is a balance of all three.

In my home, we keep the Akhand Jyot in front of the kalash during Navratri. We use pure cow ghee for it. The flame is seen as a symbol of Maa Durga’s presence, so it should be protected from wind or disturbance. Devotees believe that maintaining the jyot brings prosperity and strength.

In Dubai and Singapore, Navratri events are also very big. NRIs usually invite famous singers from India to perform live Garba songs. Tickets are sold online, and the celebrations last for nine nights. For those who cannot attend public functions, families celebrate at home with aarti, fasting, and virtual puja livestreams.

On Maha Navami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped as the goddess of wisdom, music, and knowledge. Students place their books, pens, and instruments before her idol to seek blessings. In South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Ayudha Puja is performed, where tools, vehicles, and instruments are decorated and worshipped. This worship symbolizes the removal of ignorance and the beginning of new learning with divine blessings.

Astrologically, worshipping Maa Durga removes the negative effects of malefic planets. Each form of Durga is linked with different planets. For example:- Shailputri helps reduce Moon-related problems. - Katyayani is worshipped to overcome marriage delays (Venus influence). - Kalaratri removes Saturn and Rahu doshas. - Siddhidatri enhances overall planetary harmony.Navratri is considered the most powerful period of Shakti sadhana, and chanting mantras during these nine days gives multiplied benefits.

In my family, Navratri decoration is done with great love. In 2025, I will again decorate with LED lights, colorful drapes, and flower garlands. I also like to place small idols of different forms of Maa Durga for each day. Keeping a separate plate for daily offerings makes the mandir look organized. Adding incense sticks and sandalwood fragrance creates a calming effect. The best part is making a rangoli in front of the puja space, which brings both beauty and positive energy. Simple effort can make the whole environment divine.

I belong to West Bengal, so for me, Durga Puja and Navratri are connected but still very different. In Navratri 2025, people will fast and do daily pujas at home, but in Bengal, Durga Puja means huge pandals, artistic idols, and community celebrations. It’s like a carnival. While Navratri focuses on devotion and self-control, Durga Puja is about community bonding, art, and cultural performances. Both have the same goddess at the center, but the way people celebrate shows the diversity of Indian culture.

Some people think fasting means starving, but that is not true in Navratri 2025. The vrat is about balance. If you have health conditions like diabetes, you can still participate by following light meals of fruits, milk, and nuts. You should avoid heavy fried items even if they are vrat-friendly, because the real purpose is self-control. Also, maintain regular prayers, offer water to Kalash daily, and do meditation. Following these guidelines, you can keep both health and devotion together.

The nine forms of Maa Durga represent nine qualities. In Navratri 2025, the rituals will focus not only on offering food items but also on following sattvic lifestyle like eating vegetarian food, avoiding alcohol, onion, and garlic. Morning and evening aarti, chanting of Durga Saptashati, and lighting an Akhand Jyot for nine days are common practices. On the final day, Kanya Puja is performed where nine young girls are invited, worshipped as goddesses, and given food and gifts. This is believed to complete the Navratri vrat and bring blessings.