Mumbai: The sacred festival of Navratri is celebrated four times a year in Hindu tradition, including two Gupt (secret) Navratris and two major ones – Sharadiya Navratri in the autumn and Chaitra Navratri in the spring. Of these, Chaitra Navratri is considered especially auspicious as it marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year in many regions of India. The festival is observed with great fervour and devotion across the country, with households engaging in thorough cleaning, decoration, and preparation for the nine-day worship of Goddess Durga.
According to belief, during these nine days, Goddess Durga visits the homes of her devotees. Hence, it is considered important to cleanse the house thoroughly to welcome divine energies. However, there are certain items commonly found in homes that are believed to attract negative energy if kept for too long. Experts suggest these items should be discarded before the festival begins to avoid obstacles in wealth, health, and harmony.
As per the Hindu Vedic Panchang, Chaitra Navratri 2025 will commence on 29 March 2025 at 4:27 PM. The Pratipada Tithi will end at 12:49 PM on 30 March 2025. However, following the tradition of Udaya Tithi (the Tithi prevailing at sunrise), Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated starting on Sunday, 30 March 2025.
It’s common for households to accumulate worn-out shoes and tattered clothes over time. However, these items are said to create stagnant and negative energy in the home. They also symbolise poverty and financial blockages. Therefore, it’s advisable to discard or donate such items during the pre-Navratri cleaning process.
Before Navratri, it’s considered highly inauspicious to keep broken or chipped idols of deities in the house. These should be respectfully immersed in a river or pond, or placed in a temple. During Navratri, new idols of Goddess Durga or other deities can be installed for worship, which is believed to bring prosperity and divine blessings.
Plants are believed to absorb negative energy and emit positivity. However, if they dry out or die, they are said to have the opposite effect. Such plants should be removed before the festival begins. Replace them with fresh, green plants to maintain a vibrant and positive atmosphere in your home.
As Chaitra Navratri approaches, following these traditional tips can help prepare your home to receive the blessings of the Goddess, ensuring peace, positivity, and prosperity in the days to come.
(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not independently verify the religious significance of these rituals.)
