---main-image.jpg)
What is Maha Navami?
Maha Navami, also known as Durga Navami, is a prominent day in the Navratri festival that commemorates the last phases of Goddess Durga's battle with the demon Mahishasura. While Navratri glorifies Durga's power and divinity, Maha Navami marks the last stages of her devastating conflict, with a special emphasis on the goddess in her guise as Mahishasuramardini, the killer of Mahishasura.
A major event in the war happens on the edge of the eighth and ninth days (Ashtami and Navami respectively). The demons Chanda and Munda attacked Goddess Durga after an enraged conflict. In response, Chamunda, a terrifying form of Durga, sprang from her third eye and slaughtered the two demons, securing a decisive victory right before Mahishasura received the last blow.
Following Maha Navami, believers celebrate Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which celebrates the final victory of good over evil when Goddess Durga overcomes Mahishasura, restoring peace and justice to the universe.
Maha Navami Date & Time (Tithi & Muhurat)
Maha Navami is celebrated on the Navam or 9th day of Shukla Paksha in the Indian month of Ashwin. According to the English calendar, this auspicious event occurs in September or October.
In this year, the Sharad Navratri Maha Navami date falls on Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Maha Navami on Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Ashwina Navratri Parana on Thursday, October 2, 2025
Navami Tithi Begins - 18:06 on Sep 30, 2025
Navami Tithi Ends - 19:01 on Oct 01, 2025
On this day, Goddess Durga's 9th incarnation, Maa Siddhidatri, is revered.
Goddess Siddhidatri
On the 9th day of Navratri, people worship Goddess Siddhidatri. Siddhi denotes meditation capacity, and Dhatri indicates giver.
She is sitting on a lotus with four arms holding a lotus, mace, conch shell, and discus. She is seen riding a lion, which is known as her vahana. This day is also celebrated as the Mahanavami festival. According to Indian legend, Shiva attained all siddhis by the blessings of Siddhidatri Devi.
Importance & Significance of Maha Navami
As per the Hindu calendar, there are four Navratras celebrated every year. They are:
Chaitra Navratri
Ashadh Gupt Navratri
Sharad Navratri
Magh Gupt Navratri
Each Navratri celebrates the divine powers of Maa Durga.
Epitomizing Triumph of Good over Evil
Maha Navami is an auspicious festival that commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Maha Navami reminds us that however powerful evil might be; it will always be conquered by good in the end.
Celebrating Feminine Strength
Maha Navami honors feminine strength. Mahishasura was slain by a woman, so Maha Navami is the day when Womanhood is commemorated.
Maha Navami, being the 9th day of Navratri and the last day of prayer before Vijayadashami or Dussehra, is spiritually significant.
Devotees worship, do special pujas like sandhi puja and kanya puja to honor young girls. Puja. Invoking heavenly blessings for protection, strength, and prosperity on Maha Navami concludes the nine-day spiritual journey in honor of the Goddess.
Maha Navami Story
Maha Navami marks a significant turning point in the battle between good and evil, as depicted in the story of Mahishasura. Powerful demon Mahishasura was frustrated of losing every conflict to the Devas (gods). Driven to turn his life around, he chose to do intense penance and give up food, sleep, and comfort. His relentless commitment delighted Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, who showed before Mahishasura to bestow upon him a blessing.
Blinded by conceit, Mahishasura sought immortality against all men and gods as he thought no woman could ever endanger him.
When Brahma granted Mahishasura his wish, he felt supreme. Mahishasura unleashed anarchy over the planet with his increased power, shortly conquering Indra's celestial residence. Though their might, the gods discovered they were helpless against him; their weapons proved useless. The gods grew frustrated and terrified since Mahishasura appeared unquenchable.
Desperate, the gods sought solutions by approaching Shiva, Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. Their united celestial forces produced Goddess Durga, a representation of grace and might. Blessed with 10 hands, burning eyes, and gold jewellery, Durga carried the astras— weapons—that the gods had given her. Riding a lion, her strong vahana—she set off to meet Mahishasura.
Possessed of changing between human and buffalo forms, Mahishasura battled valiantly. Nine long days saw Durga and Mahishasura fighting each other. Durga finally defeated Mahishasura on the tenth day by cutting his heart with her trident, therefore ending his reign of terror. Celebrated as Maha Navami, this triumph of Goddess Durga marks the triumph of bad forces against their restoration of cosmic balance. Celebrating Durga's bravery, fortitude, and final success, Vijayadashami (Dussehra) honours the triumph of good over evil the next day.
What do we do on Maha Navami | Maha Navami Puja & Vrat Vidhi
Devotees worship Maa Durga sincerely by doing divine rituals on Sandhi Puja. The day often involves special pujas, havans (fire rituals), and the kanya pujan, where young girls below 11 years of age are honored as embodiments of the Goddess. Many observe fasting and participate in cultural festivities.
Maha Navami, the 9th day of Navratri, holds significant importance in the Durga Puja celebrations. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly observe the rituals and fast on this auspicious day:
Sandhi Pujan
Understanding the precise beginning of the Navami Tithi is of paramount importance. If Navami Tithi starts before Ashtami Sandhyakal (evening), then all of the pujas, including Sandhi Puja, are conducted on Ashtami.
Uday Vyapini Navami Tithi, often known as the Navami Tithi, that is predominant at dawn, is, nonetheless, the holy ritual of Durga Balidan that must always be conducted. This compelling moment is celebrated by the Sandhi Puja, a ceremony conducted at the exact intersection of Ashtami and Navami. The Sandhi Puja is a mystical occurrence in which 108 lotuses are presented and 108 lamps are lighted to commemorate this triumphant occasion. The 48-minute ceremony is said to take place during the final 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami, indicating the transition between these two auspicious days.
Maha Navami Durga Puja & Havan
First thing to do in the morning, take a bath and get dressed. Place a picture or idol of Goddess Durga in your designated puja space.
As part of the Navami Puja, you may offer fruits, flowers, and other things.
Seek the goddess's blessings by chanting appropriate mantras and praying with sincerity.
Following the Navami Puja comes the Durga Puja Homa, an important rite in its own respect. Homa is most effective when performed in the afternoon, or Aparahna Kaal.
Light the Havan Kund on fire and then, while reciting mantras, make sacrifices of ghee, sandalwood, and other havan samagri.
Maha Navami Fast (Vrat)
On Maha Navami, devotees who are fasting should not eat grains or normal meals. While some adhere strictly to a water-only fast, others may include dairy products, fruits, and certain vrat delicacies like sabudana or kuttu in their diet.
After the Navami Puja and Homa, it is customary to break the fast and offer prasad to the goddess.
Devotees may worship Goddess Durga in a way that brings her blessings of wealth, spiritual development, and peacefulness by following these procedures to properly celebrate Maha Navami.
Kanya Pujan
Traditionally Kanya Pujan is performed on Ashtami or Navami Tithi during Navratri. It is a very significant part of Navratri rituals. During Kanya Pujan 8 young girls (under the age of 11 Years) & 1 young boy (represents Batuk Bhairav Protector of all Shaktipeethas) are invited into the Native’s Home.
Kanya Puja Rituals Vidhi
Wash the feet of the young girls as a sign of respect
Apply Tilak to their foreheads
Tye a Kalawa (Raksha Sutra) on their right-hand wrists
Offer Prasad of Halwa, Puri & Chana (prepared in Sattvic Style without Onion & Garlic) to the Young Children
Give them gifts like Bangles, Notebooks, Pens, New Clothes & Money
Touch the Young Girls feet to seek the blessings of the Divine Shakti Goddess
Make the Young Children sit on a pedestal and then perform Aarti, offer Incense & Chant Durga Aarti Mantras.
Astra Pujan
Astra Pujan is the ceremonial reverence towards tools and weapons observed on Maha Navami during Navratri. It represents respect and veneration for the power, strength, and holy energy these instruments reflect. Traditionally, fighters—including Shri Ram and the Pandavas—performed Astra Pujan in search of divine graces for battle success. These days, it represents respect for one's trade and spans tools of many crafts. Through Astra Pujan, people honor the holy energy found in their tools by asking blessings for success, protection, and prosperity.
Goddess Siddhidatri Puja
Celebrated on Maha Navami, Goddess Siddhidatri Puja commemorates the end of Navratri celebrations when attendees respect the ninth form of Goddess Durga—Siddhidatri. She is said to bestow knowledge, success, and spiritual fulfilment upon her devotees; the name 'Siddhidatri' signifies the giver of supernatural powers (siddhis). Devotees present flowers, incense, fruits, and special foods to the goddess at this puja while singing mantras to ask her blessings for prosperity, happiness, and the fulfilment of wishes. Prays for health, riches, and general well-being accompany the worship to mark the end of the spiritual trip Navratri has set out. For those seeking blessings in all spheres of life, this day is especially lucky since Goddess Siddhidatri is also supposed to bless people with a sense of fulfilment and heavenly energy.
Book Goddess Siddhidhatri Puja
Maha Navami Rituals across India
On this auspicious day, Goddess Durga is prayed as Saraswati – the deity of knowledge and wisdom. In Southern India, Astra or Ayudha Puja is organized, and along with the Goddess Durga, devotees also venerate tools, pieces of machinery, musical instruments, books, equipment of all types including automobiles are adorned and venerated. This day is believed to be imperative before beginning any work on Vijaya Dashami. Children begin to go to school on this day in several places in Southern India.
In North and East India, Kanya Pujan or Kumari Puja, or Kanak Puja is performed on this day in several places. Special food is prepared for them, and they are given gifts as tokens of love and respect by the worshippers.
The Goddess is presented with pink flowers and worshippers also tend to be draped in pink clothes as pink is believed to be the color for Maha Navami. Along with the puja, young girls are served the traditional poori, Kala chana and halwa.
In Eastern India, Maha Navami is believed to be the third day of Durga Puja. This begins with a holy bath after which Shodashopachara puja is performed. On this day, Devi Durga is venerated as Mahishasuramardini, suggesting the Goddess who slew Mahishasura, the buffalo demon. It is assumed that on this day, the demon was finally obliterated.
In West Bengal, huge tents called ‘pandals’ are established which have attractively sculpted and decked statues of the Goddess in her avatar as Mahishasuramardini. Devotees pay a visit to these ‘pandals’ as well as temples, decked in all their finery, along with their family and friends. Loved ones are distributed sweets and gifts.
A special ritual of Navami Homa is performed at the end of Mahanavami Puja. It is also said that puja performed on this auspicious day is tantamount to the puja conducted on the nine days of the Navratri festival. In specific places in India, the ancient tradition of Navami Bali or sacrificing animals is still practiced.
In specific areas of Andhra Pradesh, the Batthukamma festival happens on Navami. The inspiration for the name comes from a pretty flower. The puja is performed by Hindu women and the flowers are organized in the typical seven-layer form in a conical shape and are presented to Goddess Gauri – a form of Durga Devi. This festival commemorates the glory and magnificence of womanhood. Women are draped in new clothes and adorned with jewelry on this auspicious day.
Other pujas that happen on this day are Saraswati puja and Dampati Puja.
In Mysore, on this day, the Royal sword is venerated and is carried out in processions on decorated elephants and camels.
Maha Navami Festival Associated Products & Services
Kanya Pujan
Kanya Pujan is observed on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, known as 'Ashtami' or 'Navami,' and it involves the worship of young girls as forms of Goddess Durga. Book kanya Pujan on the auspicious day of Maha Navami.
Durga Puja
Powerful Goddess Durga Pujas conducted by our team of qualified Pandits complete with all Vedic rituals to revere Divine Mother Goddess and seek blessings of Protection, Power, Courage, Good Health, Prosperity, Wisdom, Spiritual Augmentation, relief from malefic effects of Planet Rahu, fulfillment of material and other desires. Book the Puja to recieve blessings on Maha Navami.
9 Mukhi Rudraksha
The 9 Mukhi Rudraksha is ruled by the divine Mother. Goddess Durga rules the rare nine Mukhi Rudraksha bead which hold the powers of all nine goddesses known as Nava Durga. The 9 Mukhi Rudraksha offers worldly comforts and fulfils desires known as Bhogha and offers liberation meaning Moksha to the wearer. Buy 9 Mukhi Rudraksha to receive the divine power on Maha Navami.
Gomed Stone
Buy Gomed Stone on the holy day of Maha Navami
Hessonites have been prized as jewels for over 5000 years. Gomed stone or Hessonite is a gemstone known for its sparkling brown and reddish tones and use in beautiful jewelry. It is a powerful stone that bestows power, renown, political and social success, protection, and financial wealth. It is also well-known for destroying hidden foes and unseen negative energy in the environment.
Comments 0
Leave your thought here