Sun Mar 30 01:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Chaitra Navratri 2025 Begins Today: Goddess Durga’s Auspicious Arrival on Elephant

**NEW DELHI, March 30, 2025** – The nine-day Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri commenced today, March 30th, and will conclude on April 6th. This auspicious occasion marks the beginning of the new Hindu year and involves the worship of nine forms of Goddess Durga.

According to Hindu scriptures, the festival begins on the first day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Chaitra month. This year, the auspicious Ghatasthapana (pot installation) ceremony, a crucial part of the festival, took place between 6:13 AM and 10:22 AM. Devotees who missed this time could also perform the ceremony during the Abhijit Muhurat, which lasted from 12:01 PM to 12:50 PM.

A unique aspect of this year’s Navratri is Goddess Durga’s arrival on an elephant, considered highly auspicious by astrologers. The nine days are dedicated to the worship of different forms of the goddess, accompanied by fasting and prayers. The festival is believed to eliminate negative energy and bring positivity into life.

Detailed instructions for the Ghatasthapana ceremony, including necessary materials (such as haldi, kumkum, flowers, fruits, and a Kalash – a ceremonial pot) and the daily puja (worship) procedures, were widely disseminated. Guidelines on maintaining a sattvic (pure) environment at home, avoiding certain foods (garlic, onion, meat), and choosing appropriate attire were also shared.

The nine days of Chaitra Navratri are dedicated to the following forms of Goddess Durga:

* **March 30th (Pratipada):** Shailaputri
* **March 31st (Dwitiya & Tritiya):** Brahmacharini & Chandraghanta
* **April 1st (Chaturthi):** Kushmanda
* **April 2nd (Panchami):** Skandamata
* **April 3rd (Shashthi):** Katyayani
* **April 4th (Saptami):** Kalaratri
* **April 5th (Ashtami):** Mahagauri
* **April 6th (Navami):** Siddhidatri

The festival concludes with the worship of Goddess Siddhidatri on April 6th. Millions of devotees across India are celebrating this spiritually significant festival.

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