Ashadha Navaratri/ Varahi Navaratri 2025: Significance, Date and Rituals

The term "Navratri", meaning "nine nights," marks a spiritually significant time in Hindu tradition, celebrated to honour the divine feminine energy—Goddess Durga and her nine manifestations known as the Navadurga. Among the four major Navaratris observed throughout the year—Chaitra Navaratri, Sharad Navaratri, Magh Navaratri, and Ashadha Navaratri—the Ashadha Navratri holds a special place as it is uniquely dedicated to Goddess Varahi and is celebrated as Varahi Navaratri. 

 Who is Goddess Varahi? 

Varahi Amman is a fierce and powerful form of Goddess Durga, revered as one of the Sapta Matrikas—the seven divine mothers created by Goddess Durga to defeat the demon Raktabija in battle. Each Matrika embodies the shakti (power) of a male god, and Varahi represents the feminine counterpart of Lord Vishnu’s Varaha (boar) avatar. 

She is depicted with the head of a wild boar and the body of a woman, seated majestically on a lion. Adorned in black, she wields eight divine weapons and symbols: a plough, trident (trishul), Sri Chakra, mace (gada), conch (shankha), elephant goad (ankusha), and she displays the Abhaya (protection) and Varada (blessing) mudras. 

In the Lalita Sahasranama (a sacred hymn of 1,000 names of the Divine Mother), Varahi is known as the defense minister of Goddess Tripura Sundari (Lalithambika). She is credited with defeating the deadly demon Visukaran and is revered as the Goddess of Punishment and Justice, symbolizing fierce protection and divine order.  

The Significance of Varahi Navaratri in Ashadha Month 

Celebrated during the month of Ashadha (June–July), a time deeply connected with agriculture and monsoons, Varahi Navaratri signifies the nurturing and protective aspects of the goddess. According to Puranic texts, Varahi Amman is believed to ensure fertility, keep plants green, and protect crops, making her worship especially vital for agricultural communities.
Devotees observe this sacred period with: 

She is also venerated as the bestower of Ashtasukha—the eight kinds of happiness: health, wealth, prosperity, knowledge, strength, progeny, happiness, and spiritual enlightenment. 

Varahi in the Sri Chakra Tradition 

Within the powerful Sri Chakra system of Tantric worship, Varahi holds a revered place as Panchami, the fifth among the Ashta Matrikas (Eight Divine Mothers). She represents the energy of Para Shakti, the supreme force of the Universe. Surrendering to her during Varahi Navaratri is said to help dissolve ego, transcend time, and guide seekers toward universal consciousness. 

Benefits of Varahi Navaratri Puja:   

 How to perform Varahi Navaratri? 

Note: 

Varahi Temples in India You Can Visit During Navaratri for Divine Blessings 

1. Varahi Amman Temple, Uthirakosamangai, Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) 

This ancient temple in Ramanathapuram district follows a unique and time-honoured tradition. Devotees grind turmeric into a paste right outside the sanctum sanctorum and apply it to the idol of Varahi Amman. This ritual, followed for centuries, is believed to grant the sincere wishes of devotees. The divine energy here is especially palpable during Ashadha Navaratri.  

2. Varahi Shrine at Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) 

Located within the famous Shaiva temple of Brihadeeswarar, the Varahi shrine here becomes a focal point during the Ashadha Navaratri festival. The goddess is adorned in a different alankaram (ornamentation) each day of the festival. Full moon days are also considered auspicious for her worship, drawing large numbers of devotees.  

3. Sree Panchami Devi Temple, Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) 

This well-known temple in Kerala is dedicated to both Goddess Durga and Varahi. The divine presence of Varahi is deeply revered here, and many devotees visit during Navaratri to receive her protection and blessings.  

4. Tal Barahi Temple, Phewa Lake, Pokhara (Nepal) 

Though located outside India, this temple holds global significance. Situated on a small island in the middle of Phewa Lake, the Tal Barahi Temple worships the goddess in her Matsya Varahi form, an incarnation of Durga and an Ajima (ancestral deity) in Nepalese culture.  

Ashadha Navratri / Varahi Navratri 2025 –  

Varahi Navaratri will be observed from June 26 to July 4, 2025. These sacred nine nights are dedicated to Goddess Varahi Devi. During this auspicious period, devotees worship Goddess Varahi at home to seek her blessings for prosperity, protection, and positive life transformations.