Maha Shashti 2025
Maha Shashti is the sixth day of the nine-day long festival of Navaratri. It is celebrated widely across India with elaborate ceremonies and processions of Goddess Durga.
Maha Shashti holds significant importance in the eastern states of India, especially in West Bengal, as it marks the beginning of the puja rituals for Goddess Durga during the Navaratri festival.
Name of the Festival | Date | Day |
Maha Shashti | 27 September 2025 | Saturday |
The Navaratri festival is associated with the mythological battle of good over evil that devotees believe was waged between Goddess Durga and the powerful demon Mahishasura, who was terrorizing people on earth. It is believed that the battle was fought for nine days and nine nights before the Goddess finally vanquished the demon on the tenth day.
During Navaratri, the Goddess is worshipped in her nine avatars, each believing to be her incarnations. Devotees celebrate the festival by decorating the idol of Goddess Durga, singing devotional songs (bhajans), and visiting temples of the Goddess.
Maha Shashti – Day 6 of Navaratri
Maha Shashti is the sixth day of Navaratri and is celebrated with much grandeur as Goddess Durga is celebrated in one of her avatars as Goddess Katyayani.
Born to sage Katyayana, Goddess Katyayani is known as the warrior goddess and is considered as one of the most ferocious forms of Goddess Durga. The Goddess is traditionally associated with the colour red, which is synonymous with courage and valor.
The Goddess is portrayed as riding a lion and is depicted as having varying number of hands in different states of India, ranging from four to 10 and even 18 hands in some states. The Goddess is also known as Bhadrakali and Chandika.
Durga Puja Celebrations in West Bengal
Although Navaratri is widely celebrated across India for nine days, in West Bengal, the sixth day marks the beginning of Durga puja. Also known as ‘Devi Paksha’, the idol of the Goddess is ceremoniously unveiled in various pandals and temples across the state of West Bengal and even in other states where the Bengali community reside.
According to Bengali tradition, the devotees believe that the Goddess Durga, fondly called Maa Durga, comes to her father’s home along with her four children – Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati.
People, especially women, participate in decorating the stage and setting up a ‘Durga Kalash’ on Maha Shashti as a symbol of welcoming the Goddess to her father’s house.
Devotees ceremoniously unveil the idol of Goddess Durga and place it on a decorated pedestal. This ritual is also known as Bodhon or Bodhan. This ritual is considered auspicious as it marks the official arrival of Goddess Durga. Several people gather in pandals to witness the ritual and offer their prayers.
Maha Shashti, or the sixth day of Navaratri, is celebrated by worshipping the warrior Goddess Durga. While some regions celebrate the sixth day by worshipping Goddess Durga, people in other parts of India pray to Goddess Katyayani on this day.
FAQs on Maha Shashti
- When is Maha Shashti in the year 2025?
Maha Shashti falls on 28 September in the year 2025.
- What is the significance of Maha Shashti?
Maha Shashti or the sixth day of Navaratri. While some regions worship Goddess Durga, in other parts of India, people pray to Goddess Katyayani on this day.
- Who is Goddess Katyayani?
Goddess Katyayani is believed to be one of the incarnations of Goddess Durga, born to sage Katyayana.
- How is Maha Shashti celebrated in West Bengal?
Maha Shashti marks the beginning of Durga puja in West Bengal as the idol of the Goddess is ceremoniously unveiled in various pandals and temples. The ceremony is also known as Devi Paksha.
- How is Maha Shashti celebrated in India?
Maha Shashti or the sixth day of Navaratri is celebrated by worshipping the warrior Goddess Durga. While some regions celebrate the sixth day by worshipping Goddess Durga, people in other parts of India pray to Goddess Katyayani.
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