Patna: Crowds of devotees gathered at temples across Bihar on Sunday as Sharad Navratri commenced, marking the start of ten days of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga. At the renowned Patan Devi Temple in Patna, long queues formed early in the morning, with devotees offering prayers to Mata Shailputri, the first form of the goddess celebrated on the festival’s opening day. The path leading to the temple was adorned with decorations in preparation for the festivities.
This year, Navratri will extend over ten days, after a gap of nine years, due to the occurrence of Chaturthi tithi on consecutive days. Traditionally celebrated over nine days, the festival sees devotees perform the ritual of Kalash Sthapana—installation of a sacred pot—followed by recitations from sacred texts including the Durga Saptashati, Ramcharitmanas, and various stotras.
According to astrologer Rakesh Jha, the festival carries significant spiritual and cultural meaning. “Worshipping the Goddess in her nine forms—Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri—brings spiritual upliftment and empowerment,” he said. He also noted that Kushmanda Mata will be worshipped on both September 25 and 26 due to the repeated Chaturthi tithi, while Maha Ashtami and Navami observances will fall on September 30 and October 1 respectively.
The Patan Devi Temple, considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, is believed to house the right thigh of Goddess Sati. It is said that the temple protects the city of Patna, giving the goddess the title Rakhshika Bhagwati Patneshwari. Black stone idols of Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahakali—thought to date back to the Satya Yuga—are housed within the temple. A fire pit, or Yoni Havan Kund, is believed to connect devotees directly to Patala Lok, the underworld, allowing offerings to reach the divine realm.
Sharad Navratri holds astrological significance this year, with Goddess Durga believed to arrive on an elephant, an auspicious sign thought to bring prosperity and good fortune. Specific timings for the first day’s rituals include an auspicious window for worship between 7:09 and 8:41 am, while the Abhijit Muhurat falls from 11:18 am to 12:07 pm.
The ten-day festival will culminate with Vijayadashami on October 2, marking the symbolic victory of good over evil.
Sharad Navratri Schedule 2025
- September 22, Pratipada: Goddess Shailputri
- September 23, Dwitiya: Goddess Brahmacharini
- September 24, Tritiya: Goddess Chandraghanta
- September 25, Chaturthi: Goddess Kushmanda
- September 26, Chaturthi: Goddess Kushmanda
- September 27, Panchami: Goddess Skandamata
- September 28, Shashthi: Goddess Katyayani
- September 29, Saptami: Goddess Kalaratri
- September 30, Ashtami: Goddess Mahagauri
- October 1, Navami: Goddess Siddhidatri
- October 2, Dashami: Vijayadashami
