Navaratri & Dashain 2025: Nine Goddesses, Mantras, and Nepal’s Sacred Celebration

🌸 Navaratri and Dashain: A Detailed Guide (Nine Goddesses, Mantras, and Nepali Traditions)

Introduction: What is Navaratri?

Navaratri (from Sanskrit “nava” = nine, “ratri” = nights) is a major Hindu festival dedicated to worship of the Divine Feminine — Goddess Durga in her many forms. These nine nights represent the eternal struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, courage over fear. Every night is devoted to one of the Nava Durga (Nine Goddesses), each bringing unique spiritual blessings.

In Nepal, Navaratri coincides with Dashain, the largest festival in the country, where Goddess Durga’s victory, strength, and protection are celebrated. While Navaratri in India has many regional styles (Garba, fasting, Ramlila, etc.), in Nepal the celebration is known as Dashain, mixing devotion, culture, and family gatherings.

The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga (Nava Durga): Names, Qualities, Mantras, and Why Worshiped

Here are the nine forms of Durga, their attributes, mantras, and reasons for worship—their descriptions draw from Purāṇas, Panchāngs, and popular tradition. Verified via sources like DrikPanchang, Britannica, JagranJosh.

# Name Qualities / Attributes Mantra Why Worshiped

1. Maa Shailaputri :- Strength, purity, devotion, rootedness "Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah" For grounding in life, stability, new beginnings

2. Maa Brahmacharini :- Austerity, self-control, devotion "Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah" For patience, spiritual wisdom, discipline

3. Maa Chandraghanta :- Peace, bravery, serenity, ability to face negativity "Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah" For courage, peace, protection from evil

4. Maa Kushmanda :- Cosmic energy, vitality, health, creation "Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah" For creativity, prosperity, well-being

5. Maa Skandamata :- Motherly love, protection, family harmony "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" For blessings in family life, children, compassion

6. Maa Katyayani :- Courage, warrior spirit, overcoming obstacles "Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah" For removing obstacles, strength, victory

7. Maa Kalaratri :- Fierce power, destruction of fear and negative energies "Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah" For fearlessness, protection, inner power

8. Maa Mahagauri :- Purity, beauty, serenity, forgiveness "Om Devi Mahagouryai Namah" For peace, purity, wellness, marital harmony

9. Maa Siddhidatri :- Perfection, spiritual powers, accomplishment "Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah" For spiritual growth, success, fulfillment of desires

Note: Mantras and exact rituals may vary by region or family tradition; local priests/pandits typically provide the authentic version for each place. (Sources: DrikPanchang, JagranJosh)

🇳🇵 Dashain in Nepal: Rituals, Practices, and Symbolism

Dashain is the Nepalese form of Navaratri, stretched over about 15 days, celebrating Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. It combines religious devotion, culture, family, and social life. Verified via historical and contemporary sources.

Key Rituals & Customs

1. Ghatasthapana (Day One)

A sacred pot (Kalash) is installed, filled with water, and decorated.

Seeds (usually barley) are sown in the Kalash, this sprouting becomes Jamara.

Symbolizes life, prosperity, and blessings for the family.

2. Jamara

The sprouted seeds are grown over the days of Dashain.

On Vijaya Dashami (the 10th/major day), Jamara is used along with Tika.

Represents fertility, growth, and well-being.

3. Phulpati

Floral processions/items, leaves, and sacred offerings are brought into homes or temples.

In Kathmandu Valley especially, this marks a sacred influx of nature’s purity and blessings.

4. Maha Ashtami & Maha Navami

Days of intense worship. On Ashtami, fierce aspects of Durga are worshiped.

In many rural areas, animal sacrifice is still practiced, though modern urban areas often substitute with vegetarian offerings.

Navami often includes worship of tools, weapons, or symbols of strength — symbolizing Durga’s power and readiness.

5. Vijaya Dashami (Tika, Blessings, and Family Reunion)

Elders place Tika (mixture of rice, red vermilion, yogurt) and Jamara on younger relatives’ foreheads.

Blessings are given for long life, prosperity, and happiness.

Family gatherings, feasting, and social harmony are central.

6. Economic & Social Impact

Markets are very busy — new clothes, sweets, decorations, puja items.

Public transportation, travel peaks as people return home to their villages.

The festival strengthens community bonds and cultural identity.

Tika Mantra(s) — Traditional Versions in Nepal

While versions differ by region, here are two widely known traditional tika (blessing) mantras among Nepali households:

For Males (A common version):

“Ayurdrah su te, shreyo Dasharathe, shatrukshayo Raghave, aishwarya nahushe, gatischa pavane, maand cha Duryodhone. Surya shanta nave, balam Haladhare, satyancha Kunti sute, vijñāna Vidure, bhavantu bhavantāṃ, kirtir-stha Narayane॥”

For Females (A version):

“Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalini, Durga, Kshama, Shiva-dhatri, Swaha Swadha Namastute॥”

Important: These are generic/common versions; your family or regional tradition may have different (or additional) lines. Always good to ask elders or priests you trust.

Modern Changes, Ethics & Cultural Trends

Animal Sacrifice Debate: With urbanization, animal sacrifices are being questioned ethically. Many communities opt for fruits, vegetarian offerings, or symbolic rituals instead.

Cultural Performances & Public Spaces: Increasingly, public pandals, cultural shows, and social media celebrations reflect vivid storytelling (dance, drama) of Durga’s mythology.

Environmental Awareness: Eco-friendly practices (using biodegradable items, avoiding excessive plastic, etc.) are gaining popularity.

Pandemic Adaptations: During COVID-19, many households scaled down gatherings, wore masks, and did puja in smaller groups; some embraced virtual blessings.

Ritual Guide for Home Puja (Simplified)

If you want to do Dashain rituals at home, here are basic steps often followed:

1. Choose Auspicious Muhurta: For Ghatasthapana and Tika, consult local Panchang or temple–priest.

2. Set Up Kalash and Jamara: Clean area, place Kalash, sow seeds, maintain care (water, light) for sprouting.

3. Daily Worship: Morning or evening pujas, recitation of mantras/Devi stotras, offering flowers, lamps, incense.

4. Special Pujas on Ashtami/Navami: Invoke fiercer aspects of Devi, chant special hymns, maintain purity (fasting, minimal distractions).

5. Tika and Jamara on Vijaya Dashami: Gather family, get blessings from elders, receive Tika & Jamara, share a feast.

References & Reliability

The content here is synthesized and verified from sources such as:

●Britannica (Navratri / Durga Puja historical & religious context)

●DrikPanchang (traditional Hindu calendar & goddess forms)

●JagranJosh (popular Hinduism education)

●Wikipedia (Nepal’s Dashain customs)

●Local cultural websites documenting Tika mantras, Ghatasthapana, etc.

Conclusion

Navaratri and Dashain are more than religious festivals — they are spiritual journeys from darkness to light, from struggle to victory. The Nava Durga teach values: patience, sacrifice, courage, purity, protection, and fulfillment. In Nepal, Dashain encapsulates these through familial love, communal harmony, rituals, and festive joy.

May this Navaratri / Dashain bring you strength, wisdom, and the blessings of the divine Mother!🙏