Shardiya Navratri is one of the most important and spiritually elevating festivals in the Hindu culture, which is devoted to the goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. Marked on the lunar month (Ashwin) this festival is a nine-day, nine-night fasting, prayerful and devotional event leading up to the Vijayadashami or Dussehra. Shardiya Navratri starts on Monday 22nd September 2025 and ends on Thursday 2nd October 2025, and will provide spiritual practices and community festivals to the devotees. The festival in Hanuman Mandir Sydney will be celebrated with the help of traditional rituals, devotional programs and cultural gatherings, which will unite the families and the community at large in an aura of faith and togetherness.
The Hanuman Mandir Sydney festival starts with the Ghatasthapana on 22nd September, 2025 and this is when the goddess Durga is invoked. The temple has a sacred kalash with water, grains and mango leaves, which represents prosperity and divine presence of the first form of the Goddess Maa Shailaputri. The followers come and recite mantras and light lamps, starting nine days of worship. Every day has its own type of Durga starting with Maa Shailaputri and ending with Maa Siddhidatri so that all the facets of the divine femininity are venerated with devotion and respect.
On the second day, 23rd September, devotees will worship Maa Brahmacharini, the Devotion and austerity Goddess. Hanuman Mandir prayers and rituals lay stress on inner strength and spiritual perseverance. Maa Chandraghanta will be worshiped on 24th September and this is associated with courage and harmony. On 25th September, which is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, there will be chants and bhajans that give a boost of spirit and imparts peace to the devotees. The puja during this day brings vitality, health and divine energies to the families.
The festivity will be carried on 26th September when Maa Skandamata who is the goddess of compassion and mother is worshiped. Families offer prayers that are aimed at children and prosperity of homes. On 27th and 28th September, the devotees will be worshiping Maa Katyayani, the warrior goddess who is fierce and destroys evil and offers protection. This variety of Durga is of particular importance to the people who want to have the power and blessings to overcome the challenges.
On 29th September, the destroyer of ignorance and fear, Maa Kalaratri will be worshiped. Her violent figure is an indication that piety and righteousness are triumphant in the end over darkness. Durga Ashtami will be celebrated with utmost religious zeal on 30 th September in Hanuman Mandir Sydney. Devotees will do Kanya Puja and worship young girls as manifestations of the Goddess. It is also during this day that Saraswati Puja is performed in a bid to obtain wisdom, knowledge and learning. This temple will be characterized by families and children who are passionate about rituals, which will make the temple of divine energy.
On the 9th day, 1st October, it is Maha Navami and Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped. She is considered the Goddess of supernatural forces and spiritual perfection whose blessings bring balance and satisfaction to life. Ayudha Puja will also be observed where the devotees worship tools, instruments and vehicles as a sign of appreciation and honor.
Vijayadashami or Dussehra on 2nd October 2025 will be the end of the celebration as the good will have won over evil. Special puja and aarti will be conducted in Hanuman Mandir Sydney and will mark the victory of goddess Durga over Mahishasura and the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Followers will flock numerously to mark this last day, bringing blessings of power, good fortune and well-being.
In addition to the rites and worships daily, Hanuman Mandir Sydney will offer devotional programs such as bhajans, kirtans and cultural events. Music, chants, and the rising of the whole energy of the devotees, united in prayer, will fill the evenings. Night also Garba and Dandiya nights can be organised and this will be a festivity yet the Indian tradition of the Garba will be retained in the centre of Sydney. Such activities do not only improve the spiritual experience but also help to improve the ties among the people.
One of the religious practices that many of the worshipers follow is fasting during Navratri. In Hanuman Mandir Sydney, the surrounding environment promotes fasting where devotees are given the opportunity to concentrate on prayers, meditation and devotion. Devotees are given satvik food and prasad, which symbolizes both purity and mutual blessings. Fasting is also thought to help cleanse both the body and the mind and the devotees are better able to get in touch with the Goddess.
The importance of the Shardiya Navratri festival in Hanuman Mandir is that a blessing of Durga and a guardian spirit of Lord Hanuman are combined. The hero, devotion, strength, and courage which Hanuman ji possesses are an added dimension to the festival. The worshippers are pursuing the blessings of Maa Durga and the guardianship of Lord Hanuman so as to be spiritually empowered and their families blessed.
The management of the temple, including volunteers, makes sure that all the aspects of the celebration are executed in a very devoted and careful manner. Decorating the temple using flowers and lights up to the setting up of pooja materials and performing rituals, the preparations indicate the commitment of the community. Donation, sponsorship and volunteering by the devotees are crucial in ensuring that the celebrations are grand and authentic.
Shardiya Navratri is more than a religious festival to the Indian diaspora in Sydney, which is also a cultural anchor. It gives families a chance to remain in touch with their roots, transmit their traditions to the younger generation and enjoy the feeling of community celebration. These nine days turn into a spiritual re-invention, cultural continuation and group worship at Hanuman Mandir Sydney.
The Shardiya Navratri Celebration 2025 event at the Hanuman Mandir Sydney will be a spiritual enriching event where devotees will have the chance of submerging in faith, tradition, and culture. The festival will recreate the spirit of piety and solidarity with rituals conducted in their original way, devotional music playing in the air, and families together celebrating the festival as one.
