Durga Puja, also known as Shardiya Navratri, is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals. In 2025, it begins on 22nd September (Monday) with Ghatasthapana and concludes on 2nd October (Thursday) with Vijaya Dashami. For nine days, devotees worship Maa Durga in her nine forms, seeking protection, prosperity, and inner strength.

While devotion is the foundation of this festival, ancient scriptures and astrology suggest some specific do’s and don’ts that maximize the blessings of Goddess Durga. Let’s understand them in simple terms.

✅ Do’s During Durga Puja 2025

1. Begin with Ghatasthapana

  • Place the Kalash on 22nd September during the highly auspicious time between 06:12 AM and 08:20 AM IST. 
  • Fill it with water, mango leaves, and coconut. Place it on soil where barley seeds are sown. 

2. Daily Puja and Chanting

  • Light a diya with ghee in front of Maa Durga every morning and evening. 
  • Recite the Durga Saptashati or the mantra:
     “ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः” (Om Dum Durgaye Namah)
     This brings protection from negativity and inner strength. 

3. Fasting with Discipline

  • Observe fasts during Navratri as per your capacity. Even a simple satvik diet (fruits, milk, rock salt) is considered pure. 
  • Fasting controls desires and invokes divine grace. 

4. Offerings to Maa

  • Offer red flowers, kumkum, chunri, and fruits to the Goddess. 
  • On Ashtami (29th September), perform Kanya Pujan (worship of little girls as Maa’s form) and feed them sweets. 

5. Charity and Service

  • Donate food, clothes, or money to the needy. 
  • Feed cows, dogs, and birds — considered auspicious and a way to honor Mother Nature. 

❌ Don’ts During Durga Puja 2025

1. Avoid Tamasic Foods

  • Do not consume onion, garlic, meat, or alcohol during Navratri. 
  • These energies give rise to rajas (restlessness) and tamas (laziness), which hinder one’s spiritual growth. 

2. No Anger or Negative Emotions

  • Quarreling, lying, or hurting others during these nine days weakens the spiritual power of your puja. 
  • Maintain peace in speech and thought. 

3. Don’t Leave Kalash Unattended

  • Once installed, the kalash should be worshipped daily. 
  • Leaving it unattended or shifting it is considered inauspicious. 

4. Avoid Cutting Hair or Nails

  • Scriptures suggest avoiding haircuts, shaving, or nail cutting during Navratri. 
  • It’s symbolic of maintaining purity and discipline. 

5. Do Not Break the Fast Hastily

  • If fasting, don’t eat heavy or non-satvik food immediately after breaking it. 
  • Begin with fruits or light prasad. 

🌟 Astrological Remedies for Durga Puja 2025

If your horoscope shows challenges with Rahu, Ketu, or Shani, Navratri is an excellent time for remedies:

  • For Career Growth: Offer sindoor and red flowers to Maa Durga daily, chant “या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
    नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥”     108 times. 
  • For Health Issues: Light a ghee lamp at night near your bedside after evening puja. 
  • For Marital Harmony: Offer red chunri to Maa Durga on Ashtami or Navami. 
  • For Removing Obstacles: Feed little girls (Kanya Pujan) and offer them bangles, bindis, or sweets. 

🪔 Conclusion

Durga Puja 2025 is not only about rituals but also about maintaining purity in thoughts, actions, and lifestyle. By following these simple do’s and don’ts, you invite Maa Durga’s blessings into your home and life.

Remember: devotion matters more than grandeur. Even small offerings made with faith are accepted by the Goddess with love.

May Maa Durga bless you with strength, prosperity, and peace this Navratri.

Q: Can I celebrate Durga Puja at home without the help of a priest?

A: Yes. Maa Durga accepts devotion more than elaborate rituals. You can do daily puja by lighting a diya, offering flowers, and chanting simple mantras like “ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः” between 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM IST or in the evening. If possible, read a few verses from Durga Saptashati.