The word ‘Gupt’ comes from Hindi, and means ‘HIdden’, and the ‘Gupt Navratri’ truly stays hidden and is only followed by some people and communities in India. As compared to the Sharad Navratri or Chaitra Navratri, the Ashada Gupta Navratri stays hidden, but the people who do follow it, do all the rituals with utmost dedication. Ashadha Navratri is believed to be the perfect time for meditations and sadhana, and there are no ‘extra’ festivities during this Navratri.
When does Gupt Navratri fall?
The Ashada Gupt Navratri is observed in the Hindu month of ‘Ashada’ which is usually between June and July months of the English calendar. It marks the start of the monsoon season, where people get relief from the harsh summer, and so they pay their respects to the Devi who was kind to let the monsoon make way. In 2025, Ashada Gupta Navratri will start today, Thursday, June 26, and will end on Friday, July 4, 2025.
Timings and Muhurat for the Gupt Navratri
According to Drik Panchang, Ashada Gupt Navratri begins on June 26, Thursday, and will end on July 4. The Panchang says “Ashadh Navratri Parana Friday, July 4, 2025Ashadh Navratri Parana Time –After 04:31 P.M.Navami tithi starts -July 03, 2025 at 02:06 pmNavami date ends -July 04, 2025 at 04:31 pm”
Significance of Ashada Navratri
The biggest significance of Ashada Gupt Navratri is that very few devotees know about the Navratri falling in this month, and so the devotion that they practice increases manifold and reaches the Shakti sooner. It is also said that as Ashada is the start of monsoon, and the rains cleanse the Earth from the inside out, similarly, the Gupt Navratri fasting cleanse a person, help them with emotional release, and renews their energy. Elders say that keeping a fast during Ashada Navratri, and following the rituals of Navratri during this time, brings in great relief from the problems of life because Maa Durga can hear your requests and pleas sooner.
Rituals of Ashada Gupt Navratri
One of the most common rituals with which every Navratri starts is the Ghatasthapana or the Kalash Sthapana, where a Kalash filled with water and covered with coconut and mango leaves is kept in the home temple. People clean their home temples, bring new clothes of the idol of Maa Durga, and offer her fruits, flowers, ‘Shringaar’ and much more.Plus, during puja time, people light a diya with ghee, along with incense, and then chant the mantra or name of the Goddess.As Navratri is dedicated to Navdurga, every day is dedicated to a form of Maa Durga, and mantras are chanted accordingly.
Eating rituals in Ashada Navratri
Through the 9 days and nights of Navratri, devotees follow a strict fast during the daytime, and only break their fast to eat a light, sattvic meal after their evening puja. People who keep the fasts for Ashada Gupt Navratri have to follow a vegetarian diet, and have to avoid onion, garlic, non-veg food, alcohol, and any other indulgent and Tamasic food.
Keeping the Akhand jyot
Another beautiful ritual during the Ashada Gupt Navratri is of the Akhand jyot. On the first day of Navratri, during the Ghatasthapana, people keep a diya in their home temple and make sure that the wick of the diya does not exhaust and the oil never runs out. And so an ‘Akhandjyot’ is made which lights up the temple and the home through the 9 days of Navratri.
Celebrations of Ashada Gupt Navratri
During the Sharad Navratri or Chaitra Navratri, you will notice a ton of celebrations and rituals all around the temple, communities. There are Durga Puja pandals, fairs and melas, and elaborate celebrations in the temples as well, but the same is not true in Ashada Navratri.Because it is ‘Gupt’ not many people know about it, and thus it becomes a time to silently worship the Shakti and ask for quiet blessings.
