Will Navratri last 9 days or 10 days this year? is the question hovering many minds this year. Navratri, the word is deep rooted in the Indian roots and is derived by amalgamation of two Sanskrit words Nava and Ratri. Nava means nine and ratri means nights, thus Navratri is traditionally celebrated for a period of nine nights. This year there has been a slight wondering as to how long will this festival of celebration of Nav Durga be this year, 10 days or 9 days. Come lets explore more about this deeply devotional and spiritually rejuvenating festival.
Know more about Navratri, is it 10 days every year or 9 days
Traditionally there are 4 Navratri every year as per the Hindu calendar. But there are two Navratri every year that are celebrated every year. These are:
- Chaitra Navratri which is celebrated in March or April every year, i.e. in the spring season or chait month.
- Sharad or Shardiya Navratri which is generally celebrated in the month of late september or October each year, that is in autumn.
The Sharad or Sharadiya Navratri is the one that is celebrated with the most fervour, fun and frolic. The festival is known as Navratri in western, northern and central parts of India and is fondly called Durga Puja in West Bengal and other eastern and north-eastern states of India.
The arrival of the festival is marked by Mahalaya which is on the last day of Pitru Paksh or Shradhh. Generally, the festival lasts 9 days and nine forms or avatar of Maa Durga which are knowns as Navdurga are worshipped. The festival closes with Vijaydashami or Dussehra, which is mostly the tenth day. On this day effigies of demon king, Raavan are burnt and celebration of good over evil is established.Radha Krishna Temple
Although, the festival of Navratri is 9 days long, but some years it so happens that due to placement of sun and moon in a particular manner, the festival may even be spread over for a period of 10 days or even 8 days.
Navratri 2025: Which puja of Navratri will be celebrated on which day
- Kalash Sthapana or Day 1 of Sharadiya or Sharad Navratri 2025 started on 22nd September 2025., as per the Hindu Calendar.
- Previous year, the festival was celebrated for a period of 9 days. But this year since Tritiya tithi is spanning over a period of 2 sunrises and thus it will be a celebrated on 2 days which are 24th of September, 2025 and 25th of September, 2025.
- Mahasaptami will be celebrated on 29th september, 2025; Mahaashtami will be celebrated on 30th september, 2025 and Mahanavmi will be celebrated on the 01st of October, 2025.
- Many hindu panchangs, calendars and sources have confirmed that in 2025, the Navratri festival will be spread over a period of 10 days. Drik Panchang
- The main reason quoted behind this confusion is that since there have been certain major changes in the position of the moon or the lunar (tithi) calendar, the tritiya tithi has spanned over 2 days instead of 1 and thus Navratri, 2025 will be of 10 days this year.
- One of the speculations is that, since that Shradhh or Pitru Paksha/Pitra Paksh was smaller than the usual length, thus the difference is being adjusted by Navratri being longer and extended to 10 days.
So, depending on how one counts — the ritual worship days or the full span including Vijayadashami — 2025 might be spoken of as both a nine-day and ten-day festival.
Why the ambiguity and confusion between 10 days and 9 days
Let us just have a look into the fact whether this is the first time in history that is happening, or this has ever happened before. This is not distinctive to the year 2025 and since this depends on the lunar positions or placement of moon this has also happened before. Whenever it so happens that lunar or moon placement aligns with the position or solar placement, there can be seen a difference or shift in the day on which the festival is observed or for how long the festival is observed.
Vijayadashami or Dussehra whatever you may prefer to call it, falls at the end of nine days and is celebrated on the 10th day of Navratri. But since this year Navratri is spanning for a period of 10 days, Vijayadashami or Dussehra will be celebrated on the 11th day, that is the 2nd of October, 2025.
Sometimes it has also happened that due to moon or lunar positions, Navratri has also been celebrated for a period of 8 days (unlike this year when it will be celebrated for 10 days) with Dussehra being followed on the 9th day. It happens so because one or two days of Navratri get merged with some days.
The Spiritual & Cultural Significance
It does not matter if Navratri is being observed for 9 days or 10 days or for that matter 8 days, the sentiments and emotions attached with it will not change. The devotion and faith in Maa Durga / Goddess Durga does not change with the duration for which it is being celebrated.
The significance of Navratri/Durga Puja can be summed up as given below:
- Faith and commitment : As each day of Navratri is devoted to a different form of Maa Durga, it makes people believe that the virtues and qualities of each avatar of Navdurga can also be instilled in oneself to becoming better humans.
- Resumption and control — Those following the festival observe fast, pray for the whole period of 9 days or 10 days, get spiritual enlightenment and can also feel a gush of freshness and glory from within.
- Community feeling and enjoyment, lots of fun and frolic: Dandiya is played in Garba Nights during 9 or 10 days of Navratri in western states of India and in eastern India pandals are put up to celebrate Durga Puja
- Dussehra or Vijayadashami signifies the victory of good over evil, morality and virtue over cheat and deceit.
- The 10 day long Durga Puja will bring in more blessings and extended celebration and happiness.
Conclusion
10 days or 9 days, the spirit of Navratri will not change with the duration of the festival. But, as per the Hindu calendar, Navratri will be celebrated from 22nd September, 2025 to 02nd October, 2025 which will be celebrated as Dussehra. May the blessings of Maa Durga bless each one of us, and the the one-day extension bring more happiness and blessings.