Maha Navami is the ninth and last day of Sharad Navratri. It belongs to Siddhidatri, the form of Durga who grants every attainment. The barley sown on the first day has grown tall, the nine-day reading of the Durga Saptashati closes with a fire offering, and in every town the Ramlila has reached the battle for Lanka.
The story
On the ninth day the goddess killed Mahishasura; the tenth is her victory. The north tells a second story alongside: Rama, unable to defeat Ravana, worshipped Durga for nine days out of season, and offered one of his own eyes when a lotus was missing from the count. She granted him victory on the tenth.
This is why Navratri and the Ramlila run side by side, and why Dussehra follows at once.
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि । सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी ॥
Served always by siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, demons and gods alike, may Siddhidayini, giver of attainments, grant them
The verse to Siddhidatri, goddess of the ninth day
How it is kept
- Navami havanThe fire offering that completes the nine days of recitation.
- Kanya pujanFor families who keep it on the ninth day rather than the eighth.
- JwareThe shoots of barley are worshipped; next day they are tucked behind the ear or taken to the river.
- ParanaThe nine-day fast is broken after the day's worship.
- RamlilaThe night's episode is the fall of Meghnad and Kumbhakarna.
Why this date
Maha Navami is the Navami of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, kept on the day it prevails in the afternoon. When Ashtami and Navami share a day, both are observed together.
Maha Navami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More North Indian festivals
7 OctoberDurga Ashtamiदुर्गा अष्टमी
9 OctoberDussehraदशहरा
29 OctoberDiwaliदीपावली
4 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiगणेश चतुर्थी
18 OctoberKarwa Chauthकरवा चौथ
24 AugustKrishna Janmashtamiश्री कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी
Where to see Maha Navami
In North India
- Ramnagar, VaranasiUttar PradeshA month-long Ramlila staged across a whole town under the patronage of the Maharaja, lit by torches.
- MaiharMadhya PradeshSharda Devi's hill, climbed by lakhs in the nine days.
- Mehrangarh, JodhpurRajasthanThe Chamunda temple inside the fort is opened to the whole city for Navratri.
Across India
- MysuruKarnatakaAyudha Puja at the palace, the day before the procession.
- KolkataWest BengalThe last full day of Durga Puja, with the Navami bhog.
- AhmedabadGujaratThe ninth and final night of garba, danced until morning.