Maha Navami is the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina, the last full day of Durga Puja before the goddess departs. Pandals are at their most crowded through the night. In the Shakti shrines the sixteen-day worship closes with a fire offering, and in the former princely states of Odisha the royal houses still perform their own Navami rites to the family goddess.
The story
The image shows the moment of victory: Durga, ten-armed, on her lion, driving her trident into Mahishasura as he emerges from the body of the buffalo. Odisha's old stone images of her go back more than a thousand years.
The goddess is thought of as a daughter come home for a few days, and Navami night carries the knowledge that she leaves tomorrow.
How it is kept
- Navami puja and homaThe concluding fire offering.
- BhogaKhechudi and dalma are cooked in huge quantity and served to all at the pandals.
- Kumari pujaA young girl is worshipped as the goddess.
- The last nightCrowds, lights, and music till morning.
Why this date
Maha Navami is the Navami of the bright fortnight of Ashwina, on the day it prevails in the afternoon.
Maha Navami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Odia festivals
7 OctoberMahastamiମହାଷ୍ଟମୀ
9 OctoberDasaharaଦଶହରା
29 OctoberDiwaliଦୀପାବଳି
5 SeptemberNuakhaiନୂଆଖାଇ
4 SeptemberGanesh Pujaଗଣେଶ ପୂଜା
14 NovemberKartika Purnima and Boita Bandanaକାର୍ତ୍ତିକ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା · ବୋଇତ ବନ୍ଦାଣ
Where to see Maha Navami
In Odisha
- CuttackOdishaThe medhas are seen for the last night.
- SambalpurOdishaSamaleswari is dressed in white as Dhabalamukhi earlier in the puja, a sight held as holy as a pilgrimage to the Ganga.
- BhadrakOdishaThe Bhadrakali temple that gives the town its name.
Across India
- KolkataWest BengalNavami night of the Bengal puja.
- MysuruKarnatakaAyudha Puja at the palace, for the sword of state.
- KulluHimachal PradeshThe valley prepares for its own week of Dussehra.