Chaitra Navratri 2025: Chaitra Navratri 2025 will begin on Sunday, March 30, and conclude on Sunday, April 6. This year, Navratri will be observed for only eight days as the Panchami Tithi will end early. The Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami will both be celebrated on April 6, and the Parana (fast-breaking ritual) will take place on Monday, April 7. On this day, devotees perform a special puja to mark the conclusion of the Navratri fast.

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Significance Of Parana:

The Parana day holds great religious significance as it marks the completion of the nine-day-long worship of Goddess Durga. Devotees perform Havan, Kanya Pujan, and offer bhog before concluding their fast.

It is believed that starting new ventures on this day after seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga is highly auspicious. Additionally, donating food and essentials to the needy on Parana is considered highly meritorious.

How To Perform Parana?

  • Begin the day with a holy bath and perform Durga Puja and Havan.
  • Conduct Kanya Pujan by offering food to nine young girls.
  • Prepare satvik food at home, first offering it to the Goddess before breaking the fast.
  • Engaging in charitable acts on this day is believed to bring divine blessings.

Kanya Pujan Rituals:

Kanya Pujan is an integral part of Navratri celebrations and is usually observed on Ashtami or Navami. In this ritual, nine girls aged between 2 to 10 years are worshiped as embodiments of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, along with one young boy (Batuk) representing Lord Bhairav.

Steps To Perform Kanya Pujan:

  • Take a ritualistic bath and wear clean clothes before the puja.
  • Wash the feet of the girls and invite them to be seated for the ritual.
  • Apply tilak, tie kalava (sacred thread) on their wrists, and offer them a meal of puri, kala chana, and halwa.
  • After the meal, offer dakshina (monetary gift), clothes, or other essentials as per one's capacity.
  • Seek their blessings, as it is believed to invoke the grace of Goddess Durga and bring prosperity to the household.

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