What is the significance of Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in Navratri 2025 celebrations?

I always see Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami as the heart of Navratri. In 2025, these two days will again bring energy to temples and households. On Ashtami, many families invite little girls, wash their feet, tie red threads on their wrists, and serve them food like puri, halwa, and chana. On Navami, the celebration gets bigger with community pujas, garba, and Dussehra preparations. Symbolically, Ashtami shows the strength of the goddess, and Navami shows her victory. For devotees, it is a time of gratitude and joy.

Durga Ashtami (8th day) in 2025 will be on 29th September, and it is one of the most important days of Navratri. On this day, devotees perform Kanya Pujan or Kumari Pooja, where young girls are worshipped as manifestations of Goddess Durga. Special prayers and havans are conducted. It is believed that worship on this day removes all sorrows and obstacles.Maha Navami (9th day) will be on 30th September 2025. This day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura. In many regions, Ayudha Puja is also performed where tools, vehicles, and instruments are worshipped. The day is also important for completing Navratri fasting, as devotees break their vrat after rituals.Both days symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the blessings of Maa Durga in different forms.