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NEW DELHI — Devotees across India marked the eighth day of Shardiya Navratri on September 29, 2025, by wearing grey clothing and worshipping Goddess Katyayani, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
The festival, which began on September 22, 2025, follows the Drik Panchang calendar and extends to October 2, 2025, due to an additional day from the shortened Pitru Paksha period this year, according to Hindu astrologers. The eighth day aligns with Saptami tithi and emphasizes balanced emotions through the grey color, as stated in traditional panchang guidelines.
Goddess Katyayani, the warrior form of Durga, is invoked for courage and protection against evil, the All India Radio religious affairs desk reported. Devotees performed morning pujas with offerings of lotus flowers, incense and sweets, while evening garba dances incorporated grey-themed attire in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Pandit Ravi Shankar Shastri, a priest at Delhi's Jhandewalan temple, said, "Grey on this day promotes humility and emotional stability, aiding devotees in their spiritual practice." The temple saw over 10,000 visitors by midday, temple officials confirmed.
No incidents were reported at major pandals in Mumbai and Kolkata, where local authorities deployed extra security for the celebrations, police sources said. The culture ministry noted that Navratri promotes cultural unity through these rituals.
The festival continues with the ninth day on September 30, 2025, dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri and the color pink, leading to Vijayadashami on October 2.
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