Oct 09,2024
Maha Navami, also referred to as Durga Navami, falls on the ninth day of Navratri, a festival that is widely celebrated in India. Navaratri comes to an end on Maha Navami and it also symbolises the victory of good over evil. The Hindu calendar states that Maha Navami falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha, or waxing moon fortnight, in the Ashwina month.
This year, Maha Navami will be grandly celebrated on October 11. It is believed that on this day, goddess Durga killed the buffalo demon – Mahishasura.
The last day of Durga Puja is observed on Maha Navami. A sacred bath called Mahasnan and the Shodashopachara Puja marks the start of the celebration. Due to her role as the Annihilator of the Buffalo Demon, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardini on the occasion of Maha Navami.
According to Drik Panchang, Maha Navami will be marked on Friday, October 11, 2024. The Navami Tithi begins at 12:06 PM on October 11 and ends at 10:58 AM on October 12. Meanwhile, the Ashwina Navratri Parana will be held on Saturday, October 12.
There is a special havan held on this day. The Goddess’ idol is placed on a wooden platform covered in a red fabric. Devotees carry out the havan and aarti ceremonies. Bhog is served to the deity after the puja.
Devotees celebrate Maha Navami with elaborate ceremonies and prayers in the honour of Goddess Durga. This includes beautifying the goddess’ idol or image with flowers and jewellery. The puja normally follows a set sequence that includes mantra recitation and the offering of various things such as fruits, sweets, incense and lamps.
A special ceremony known as Sandhi Puja is carried out in some areas, especially in West Bengal, on the eighth day (Maha Ashtami) of Navratri, which coincides with Maha Navami this year. It is believed that at this precise moment, the goddess Durga changed into a warrior to defeat Mahishasura. Strong mantras are recited and special offerings are made to the deity during this period.
Kanya Pujan, in which nine young girls are worshipped as the nine incarnations of the goddess, is one of the important ceremonies celebrated on Maha Navami. As a sign of respect and blessings, they are usually offered new clothes, food and gifts.
This day is traditionally marked by the offering of animals as sacrifices to the goddess in several parts of India, especially West Bengal. However, this ritual is often avoided nowards. Instead, vegetables are sacrificed to live up to the tradition.
The ninth day of Sharad Navratri, Maha Navami, marks the penultimate day of Goddess Durga’s fight with the buffalo monster Mahishasura and is significant both historically and mythologically.
It is considered that on this day, the Goddess defeated the enraged demon, signifying the triumph of good over evil. As a tribute to this, Goddess Durga is revered as Mahishasuramardhini, meaning ‘She Who Killed Mahishasura’, during the Maha Navami celebrations.
Maha Navami is very important since it represents the pinnacle of the goddess’ heavenly might. Worshippers of Goddess Durga have a deep devotion to her, thinking that her auspicious arrival on this day bestows prosperity, power and safety. In preparation for the victory of righteousness celebrated on Dussehra or Vijayadashmi, this period is marked by introspection, cultural festivals and the finale of the nine-day festival.
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