Maha Navami: Know the Date, Auspicious Time, Puja Method and Significance

Every year, Maha Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of worshipping goddess Durga before Vijaya Dashami during the Navratri festival. In 2021, the auspicious day of Maha Navami is falling on October 14, Thursday which will be celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across the country.

Auspicious Time 

The tithi of Navami will start at 8.07 pm, October 13, 2021 and it will end at 6.52 pm, October 14, 2021. 

Puja Method 

The Maha Navami puja starts with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar puja. Devotees offer pink flowers to the goddess and wear pink clothes as pink colour is the colour code for Maha Navami day. Kanya Pujan or Kumari Puja is of immense significance and for that nine young girls aged 8-9 years are invited to the puja podium and their feet are washed with great care. The Kanya Puja symbolizes the 9 forms of Durga. Devotees offer prayers through 'pushpanjali' while chanting to the mantras guided by the priest in pandals or temples. 

Significance of Maha Navami 

As per the Hindu Panchang, there are 5 Navratras – Chaitra, Aashad, Ashwin, Paush, and Magh; among these 5, the Ashwin Navratri is believed to be holding the greatest significance and is celebrated widely.

Ashwin Navratri is also referred to as Shardiya Navratri or Durga Puja festival. It is believed that during Navratri nine avatars or forms of the 'shakti'. The 9 forms of the goddess Durga or Parvati are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandharghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidathri.

Maha Navami is dedicated to worship Maa Siddhidatri, the supreme form of Maha Shakti. She is worshipped as the Mahishasuramardini, the one who is the destroyer of the demon Mahishasur (buffalo monster).