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By Astrologer Praveen Kumar · 20 September 2026 · Updated 3 October 2026
Every year, as the monsoon retreats and the month of Ashwin brings clear skies, Bihar turns towards the Goddess. From the illuminated pandals of Patna's Dak Bungalow Chauraha to the ancient Shakti shrines of Thawe, Mundeshwari and Mangla Gauri, Sharad Navratri (शारदीय नवरात्रि) is one of the most deeply felt festivals of the state. For an astrologer, these nine nights are also a powerful window for graha shanti — pacifying the nine planets through the nine forms of Maa Durga.
This guide explains the astrological meaning of Navratri, the planet traditionally linked to each form of Navdurga, the correct way to do Kalash sthapana, graha-wise remedies, Kanya pujan, and the significance of Dussehra (Vijayadashami).
Sharad Navratri runs from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Ashwin Shukla Navami, followed by Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on the Dashami tithi. In 2026 the festival falls in October; the exact start date, Kalash sthapana window and Ashtami-Navami timings depend on the Panchang for your city, so always confirm with the local Patna, Gaya or Mithila Panchang.
The festival celebrates the victory of the Goddess over Mahishasura, as narrated in the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya), which forms part of the Markandeya Purana. Its 700 verses — 13 chapters — are recited across Bihar during these nine days.
Astrologically, Navratri falls when the Sun is moving through Virgo (Kanya) and towards Libra (Tula), where it is debilitated. A weakening Sun is symbolically a time when the outer light dims and the inner light must be strengthened — which is why the nine nights are dedicated to Shakti, the energy that sustains all the grahas.
A widely followed tradition links each of the Navdurga forms to one of the Navagraha. These associations are devotional rather than from a single classical text, but they are used by many astrologers to give a planet-specific focus to each day.
| Day | Form of Durga | Associated Planet | Area of Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Pratipada | Shailputri (शैलपुत्री) | Moon (Chandra) | Mind, mother, emotional peace |
| 2 — Dwitiya | Brahmacharini (ब्रह्मचारिणी) | Mars (Mangal) | Courage, siblings, property |
| 3 — Tritiya | Chandraghanta (चन्द्रघण्टा) | Venus (Shukra) | Marriage, comfort, beauty |
| 4 — Chaturthi | Kushmanda (कूष्माण्डा) | Sun (Surya) | Health, authority, father |
| 5 — Panchami | Skandamata (स्कन्दमाता) | Mercury (Budh) | Speech, education, business |
| 6 — Shashthi | Katyayani (कात्यायनी) | Jupiter (Guru) | Marriage, wisdom, children |
| 7 — Saptami | Kalaratri (कालरात्रि) | Saturn (Shani) | Delays, fear, karmic burdens |
| 8 — Ashtami | Mahagauri (महागौरी) | Rahu | Confusion, sudden troubles |
| 9 — Navami | Siddhidatri (सिद्धिदात्री) | Ketu | Spiritual progress, release |
Note that Katyayani is especially worshipped by unmarried girls for a suitable husband — the Katyayani vrat is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, where the gopis worshipped her. If marriage is delayed, Shashthi of Navratri is a meaningful day; see also our guide on delay in marriage remedies.
Kalash sthapana on Pratipada formally invites the Goddess into the home for nine days.
Samagri (items):
Procedure:
Timing: Tradition prefers the first part of the day on Pratipada, and the Abhijit muhurat around midday is commonly used. Texts such as Nirnaya Sindhu advise avoiding Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga for Ghatasthapana where possible. Exact clock times vary each year and by location, so take them from your local Panchang rather than from a generic website.
The central mantra of Navratri is the Navarna Mantra:
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Meaning: salutations to Chamunda, the Goddess who unites the powers of knowledge (Saraswati), energy (Lakshmi) and action (Kali).
Traditionally it is chanted in multiples of 108 on a rudraksha or red sandalwood mala. Those who can read Sanskrit comfortably may recite the full Durga Saptashati, preceded by Kavach, Argala and Keelak. Others can recite one or two chapters daily, or simply the Siddha Kunjika Stotram, which is short and widely used.
Use the day linked to a planet to give it extra attention. These are traditional practices, not guarantees, and should match what your chart actually needs.
For anxiety, sleeplessness or a troubled relationship with the mother. Offer white flowers and kheer, chant ॐ सों सोमाय नमः (Om Som Somaya Namah) 108 times, and donate rice or milk.
For anger, land disputes or Mangal Dosha concerns. Offer red flowers, recite the Hanuman Chalisa, and donate red lentils (masoor). Read more in our Mangal Dosha guide.
For marital harmony and comforts. Offer white sweets and perfume, and gift cosmetics or white clothes to married women.
For health, confidence and government matters. Offer arghya to the Sun at sunrise and recite the Aditya Hridaya Stotra.
For students and traders. Offer green moong or green bangles, and feed green fodder to a cow.
For marriage of daughters, children and wisdom. Offer yellow flowers and haldi, and donate chana dal or yellow cloth.
For delays, Sade Sati and chronic obstacles. Light a mustard oil lamp, serve labourers or the elderly, and donate black sesame. See our Shani Sade Sati guide.
For sudden setbacks, confusion and fear. The Ashtami havan and Navami Kanya pujan are considered especially protective. Chanting the Navarna mantra and feeding dogs or birds are common folk remedies. Our Rahu-Ketu guide explains these shadow planets in detail.
Gemstones: some people choose Navratri to start wearing a recommended gemstone. Wear one only after a full chart analysis, preferably on a trial basis first — a wrongly chosen stone can strengthen a harmful planet and cause problems rather than solve them.
Bihar's Durga Puja has its own flavour, blending local traditions with Bengali influence:
In Mithila and Magadh, many families sow barley on Pratipada and immerse the sprouted jayanti on Dashami, wearing a few shoots behind the ear or in the hair as a blessing.
On Ashtami or Navami (according to family custom), nine young girls, usually between two and ten years old, are invited home as forms of the Goddess, along with one boy as Bhairav or Langur.
Astrologically, Kanya pujan is considered a strong remedy for a weak Mercury and for receiving the Goddess's protection over the whole family.
Vijayadashami falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami. It marks both Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and the Goddess's victory over Mahishasura. Key observances:
Vijayadashami is counted among the sade-teen muhurat (three-and-a-half self-auspicious occasions), so many people begin new work, enrol children in learning or buy vehicles on this day. For major decisions, it is still worth checking your dasha.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Keep the home and puja space clean | Leaving the akhand jyoti unattended |
| Eat sattvik food or phalahar | Onion, garlic, alcohol and meat |
| Recite the Navarna mantra or Saptashati daily | Quarrels, harsh speech and insulting women |
| Respect young girls and elders | Cutting hair or nails during the vrat, if your family follows this |
| Donate according to your capacity | Forcing a strict fast against medical advice |
If you want to use Navratri for a specific purpose — a delayed marriage, a career block, health worries in the family or Sade Sati — a kundali analysis before Pratipada helps you choose the right day, mantra and donation. Bring:
Astrologer Praveen Kumar provides Vedic astrology consultations for families across Bihar, including in Patna, Gopalganj and Gaya, and online for those living away from home during the festival.
May Maa Durga remove every obstacle from your path this Navratri.
Book your consultation with Astrologer Praveen Kumar — Contact us today
A popular tradition links each Navdurga form to one of the nine planets — Shailputri to the Moon, Kushmanda to the Sun, Kalaratri to Saturn, and so on. If a planet is weak or afflicted in your chart, giving extra devotion, mantra japa and charity on that form's day of Navratri is considered helpful. A chart reading first confirms which planet actually needs support.
Traditionally Kalash sthapana, also called Ghatasthapana, is done in the first part of the day on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, and the Abhijit muhurat around midday is widely used when the morning is unsuitable. Night installation is generally avoided. The exact window depends on the Panchang for your city, so check the local Patna or Darbhanga Panchang or ask your family priest.
No. Many devotees fast all nine days, but others observe only the first and last day, or the Ashtami. Elderly people, pregnant women, diabetics and anyone on medication should choose a light phalahar or skip fasting and follow their doctor's advice. Sincere puja, japa and good conduct are considered as important as the fast itself.
Both are accepted. Families that follow Ashtami break the fast and perform Kanya pujan on Durga Ashtami, while others do it on Mahanavami after the havan. Follow your family and regional custom. Usually nine young girls and one boy, seen as a form of Bhairav or Langur, are invited, fed with respect and given dakshina.
Vijayadashami is counted among the self-auspicious days, so many people in Bihar begin new ventures, buy vehicles or start learning on this day without a separate muhurat. For big decisions such as a business launch or property registration, it is still wise to check your personal dasha and the Tara Bala for the day.
Book a personalised session with Astrologer Praveen Kumar — Bihar's most trusted Vedic astrologer.
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