Gupt Navratri's focus on inwardness and secrecy is what sets this form of Navratri apart from others. Gupt Navratri takes place in Magha (January-February) and Ashad (June-July), and its focus is not on outward displays of celebration, but rather on going deep within oneself for spiritual growth through discipline and meditation.The dates for observing the Gupt Navratri of Magh will be Jan 19 to Jan 28, 2026 and the Gupt Navratri of Ashadh will be from July 15 to July 23, 2026
Unlike the Chaitra or Sharad Navratri, Gupt Navratri is celebrated mostly by the seekers, yogis, and Tantrikas who are on the inner path. The scriptures like the Kularnava Tantra refer to this as a highly powerful time when mantra-japa, meditation and contact with the delicate levels of consciousness are especially powerful. The barriers between the visible and the invisible become thin enabling true followers to enter the higher levels of consciousness.
Gupt Navratri centers around the veneration of the Dasha Mahavidyas, the ten great goddesses of wisdom, who represent the entire personification of Adi Shakti. They are not a mythical representation but cosmic eternal principles; living forces of consciousness who direct the soul to liberation.
The Mahavidyas are an embodiment of Divyonmada, a divine ecstasy; an ecstatic state in which ego fades and the truth is revealed itself literally. They lead the seekers on the path of fear, desire, ignorance, renunciation, wisdom and fulfillment, through their fierce, gentle, terrifying and compassionate forms. Collectively, they comprise a whole spiritual map of transformation.
Kali
Maa Kali stands at the threshold of eternity. As the first of the Mahavidya (The Divine Feminine Power), she serves as the manifestation of time (Kala), which is the force that consumes, destroys, and ultimately creates everything. Her appearance is dark, like the vastness of the void; she wears upon herself a necklace of human skulls and a skirt made of the severed arms of her enemies, and in this way, she embodies the destruction of ego, false identities, and attachments.
Although her appearance can be frightening to some people, to those who worship her, Mother Kali is one of the most compassionate aspects of the Divine Mother. To her followers, Mother Kali is known as Maa and is a loving protector who eliminates all fear by destroying the root of fear. Maa Kali, although terrifying in her appearance, is made to give all living beings liberation from ignorance and illusion.
In both the Tantric and Bhakti traditions of Hinduism, Maa Kali is incorporated with Brahman(The Creator).She dances upon Shiva not out of sheer dominance but to awaken consciousness to its fullest potential. Saints like Ramprasad Sen and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa sang of Mother Kali and described her as being playful, tender, and infinitely kind-hearted.
In spiritual practice, Mother Kali teaches us to surrender to her will, and when she cuts through our ego, pride, and attachment, we must face truth without masks, in the same manner that our fear evaporates because of her grace and the liberating light that comes with liberation.
Mantra:
"Om Hrim Shree Krim Parameshwari Kalike Swaha"
Tara
Maa Tara represents the one who takes the soul out of here (this world) and brings it to the other side (the enlightened world) of eternity. Her name means "She Who Saves." She is a fierce mother to whom we go for protection and to reclaim our right to live from this world.
There is a well-known story that said that after Lord Shiva had swallowed the poison during the churning of the sea, Maa Tara placed him in her lap and nourished him which returned Lord Shiva to life. This event is proof of her as the cosmic mother who rescues even the gods.
Maa Tara gives Shakti to our mantras (the spoken word). She opens the throat chakra for clearer speech, increases our intuition (to be able to see things before they happen), and gives us the determination to get back on our path to our Soul. Her fierce form attacks the dark places in our mind that create our doubt and push us forward on our journey toward enlightenment.
Psychologically, Maa Tara represents the inner voice that awakens in times of great confusion and chaos; this voice leads to sudden clarity and understanding, enabling us to see through the fog of confusion and fear. Maa Tara acts as a source of courage during difficulty and a protector from both outer and inner conflict.
Mantra:
"Om Hrim Wom Hum Phat"
Tripura Sundari
Tripura Sundari is also known as Lalita or Rajarajeshwari. Tripura Sundari signifies "the beautiness one of the three realms": physical, subliminal, and groundless.
She reigns over the Sri Chakra, which represents the full cosmos as well the inward journey to liberation through Tantric teachings. Sri Vidya is the most exalted method of worshipping Tripura Sundari.
Maa Tripura Sundari is the expression of iccha shakti; i.e. that power of divine will and allure. The nature of her strength is gentle,magnetic and comes from love, unlike the ferocious Mahavidyas.
The teachings of "Tripura Sundari" shows that the true enlightenment isn't simply achieved by cutting all ties from the world but is created through joyful insights. When we purify our desires for beauty, harmony, devotion, and pleasure, these desires act as doorways to enlightenment.
Mantra:
"Aim Hrim Shrim Tripura Sundaryai Namah"
Bhuvaneshwari
Maa Bhuvaneshwari is the source or basic element from which everything emanates. The word "Bhuvani" means "the queen of all" and is an indication of the multiple dimensions of our existence (ākāśa = Space). She represents ākāśa, which encompasses every other element found within this universe.
She is the mother of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Lord Shiva), thus is responsible for creating all beings in this universe, establishing the balance between creation and destruction of all things (Preserving), and dissolving everything that has entered into this universe (Destruction).
No matter where in this universe one lives on earth, every being/planet/direction exists within the boundlessness of Maa Bhuvaneshwari's sacred body. She is depicted with a noose and goad, symbolizing the ability of those who accept her grace to free themselves from attachment and ignorance, and to attain a balanced, vast, and clear purpose in our lives.
Maa Bhuvaneshwari provides a higher point of view from which one is able to see life as part of the totality of cosmic existence by transcending one's limited ego.
Mantra:
"Hrim Bhuvaneshwaryai Namah"
Bhairavi
Maa Bhairavi represents tapas (tapas = tribe), which is described as the fire of spiritual practice; Bhairavi: radiant, fierce, and commanding in all of her ways, she has the power to destroy all impurities, ignorance through devotion, and discipline.
The aspects of asceticism, moral strength and determination are all a part of her being. Sacred texts claim that she is the source for all sacred knowledge, including the Vedas. Her energy gives seekers strength to continue along their spiritual journey through difficulties.
Through her grace, Maa Bhairavi teaches that any true personal transformation requires sincere effort. With Maa Bhairavi's blessing, we are able to overcome fear, build willpower and become stronger souls.
Mantra:
"Om Hreem Bhairavi Kalaum Hreem Swaha"
Chhinnamasta
Maa Chhinnamasta represents something very powerful within the Hindu tradition. She holds her own severed head and uses her blood as nourishment for her attendants to illustrate to her devotees that through sacrifice, we sustain each other.
She stands upon a couple in union, representing mastery over desire and the ability to use sexuality to awaken ones’ spiritual self. She encourages one to detach from bodily identification and egoism.
Chhinnamasta reveals that true freedom arises when the self is offered completely to truth. Her worship requires courage, purity of intent, and inner readiness.
Maa Chhinnamasta reveals that surrendering oneself to the truth brings about ultimate liberation. To worship Maa Chhinnamasta takes courage, purity of spirit, and preparation of one's inner self.
Mantra:
"Shri Hrim Vajra Vairochaniyai Hrih Phat Swaha"
Dhumavati
Maa Dhumavati is portrayed as a widow woman wrapped in clouds of smoke and mute sorrow. She embodies loss, sorrow, and the end of worldly attachment.
Although her presence is often met with fear, she has much to teach. Dhumavati articulates that everything passes and teaches renunciation in preparation for everything passing. Through her presence, she destroys pride, lust, and attachment.
Maa Dhumavati blesses ascetics, widows, and all who embark on journeys alone. Dhumavati expresses her great wisdom through silence and guides the seeker of truth with insight into both suffering and liberation from the pains of this life.
Mantra:
"Om Dhoo Dhoo Dhumavati Devyai Swaha"
Bagalamukhi
Maa Bagalamukhi is the embodiment of stambhana. This power is the ability to halt or control harmful forces. She is associated with yellow colour referring to control, certainty and finality of action.
She holds back enemies, suppresses poisonous speech, and dampens negative thoughts. Her worship brings about victory in litigation, control over speech, and safeguarding from deceit.
Maa Bagalamukhi teaches to achieve stillness within yourself by taking time to think before acting and focusing on being aware of whatever is creating thoughts, actions or reactions and being in the moment.
Mantra:
"Om Hrim Bagalamukhi Devyai Hrim Om Namah"
Matangi
Maa Matangi represents wisdom, speech, music and intuition, as well as knowledge gained outside social structure and from strict purity.
Many consider her to be the Tantric form of Goddess Saraswati. Maa Matangi gives you the gift of eloquence, creativity and spiritual knowledge and evaluates everything that society does not accept or permit and that the Divine runs through everything – even the lowest states or forms of existence.
Maa Matangi brings forth an individual's ability for "inner speech" (para vak) and the ability to use their own intuition in making decisions. She grants all types of creativity, whether an artist, scholar or seeker through inspiration and clarity.
Mantra:
"Om Hnim Aim Bhagavati Matangeshwari Shri Swaha"
Kamala
Ma Kamala, identical with Lakshmi, is the goddess of prosperity, beauty, and harmony. She is depicted seated on a lotus with bathing elephants. This represents an ample amount of prosperity backed by righteousness.
Sri Kamala teaches that living a materialistic lifestyle can be compatible with living a spiritual lifestyle if one lives according to Dharma. When one lives in accordance with Dharma, all possessions become a tool through which to assist and maintain balance.
"Sri Kamala" finishes the cycle of the "Mahavidyas" by providing nourishment, protection and happiness after some of the goddesses have been through very intense and difficult transformations.
Mantra:
"Om Shrim Hrim Shrim Kamale Kamalalaye Prasid Shrim Hrim Shrim Mahalakshmyai Namah"
Closing Reflection: The Sacred Path of Gupt Navratri
The Dasha Mahavidyas, collectively, symbolize the infinite aspect of the Divine Mother: terrifying and nurturing, empty and full. The Mahavidyas offer wisdom on how to attain liberation through understanding life, but not through its denial.
Thus, Gupt Navratri is a divine call to introspection, to face one’s fears and desires, to let go of the ego, and to attain divine consciousness. Through devotion, diligence, and grace, the seeker finds that Devi Shakti resides within oneself.
“May the blessings of the Dasha Mahavidyas lead all seekers from darkness to light, from ignorance to wisdom, and from bondage to eternal freedom.”
