🙏 Goddess Durga

Maha Navami

🗓️ Ashwin Shukla Navami (Sep–Oct)

The story behind Maha Navami

Maha Navami, the ninth and final day of worship in Sharad Navratri, celebrates the Goddess in her complete, victorious form before Vijayadashami. It is traditionally associated with Ayudha Puja — the veneration of tools, vehicles, and instruments of one's trade — and with the concluding Kanya Puja and Havan (fire ritual) that mark nine nights of worship. In many regions it is also observed as the day Durga slew the buffalo-demon Mahishasura.

Maha Navami Puja Vidhi

  1. 1

    Havan

    Perform a Navratri Havan with ghee, til (sesame), and samagri offered into the sacred fire, chanting the Durga Saptashati or Navarna Mantra.

  2. 2

    Ayudha Puja

    Clean and worship tools, books, vehicles, and instruments of one's livelihood, seeking the Goddess's blessing on one's work.

  3. 3

    Kanya Puja

    Complete the Kanya Puja begun on Ashtami by honouring nine young girls with food and gifts.

  4. 4

    Purnahuti & Aarti

    Offer the final ahuti (oblation) into the havan fire and perform the concluding aarti to the Goddess.

Maha Navami Mantra

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Meaning

Salutations to the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of Shakti (power) — from the Devi Mahatmyam.

How to chant

Chant during the havan and while offering the final aarti.

When is Maha Navami?

YearDate
2026Tuesday, 20 October 2026
2027Saturday, 9 October 2027
2028Wednesday, 27 September 2028
2029Monday, 15 October 2029

Dates are computed with the Drik (observational) method from real solar and lunar positions, using sunrise-to-sunrise Tithi assignment for New Delhi.

Maha Navami's date is calculated from the Sun's position rather than from local sunrise or sunset, and this calculation does not yet adjust for your location. Some communities observe it a day earlier or later depending on local convention — check with your local temple or community for the date observed where you are.

These dates follow the panchang convention computed for each city's own coordinates — they are not a universal verdict. Some temples and communities shift observance to a weekend regardless of the computed date, and published panchang authorities recommend using your own city's panchang rather than a single worldwide date. Confirm with your local temple or community before treating a date as final.

Festivals around Maha Navami

All Hindu festivals →See the full Vedic calendar →Today's Panchang & muhurtas →

Maha Navami FAQs

Maha Navami falls on 20 October 2026, based on Kaala's Drik Panchang calculation for the corresponding Tithi.

Maha Navami is dated according to the lunar Tithi, not the fixed Gregorian calendar, so its Gregorian date shifts from year to year while its position in the lunar calendar stays consistent.

The astronomical event Maha Navami marks happens at the same instant everywhere in the world, but which calendar day that instant falls on locally depends on each city's own timing — so cities in different countries can observe Maha Navami a day apart.