Maha Navami in India 2024

India is known for its diverse cultures and vibrant festivals, each with unique customs and traditions. Celebrations occur throughout the year, making it a country where hardly a month passes without a major festival. This rich tapestry of festivals truly earns India its nickname as 'the land of festivals.'

Navratri is one of the most cherished festivals in India, celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. This nine-night festival honours the goddess Durga and showcases the cultural richness of the country through music, dance, and rituals. Let's understand the significance and celebrations of Navratri.

What is Maha Navami?

Hindu Gods and Goddesses play a central role in Indian festivals. People across the country celebrate by visiting temples and participating in various customs and rituals. Many festivals are dedicated to honouring the spirit and stories of these deities, bringing communities together in reverence and joy. The nine days of Navami are spent celebrating the divine form of Goddess Durga. On the nine days of Navratri, different forms of maa Durga are celebrated and prayed to.

Maha Navami, also known as Durga Navami, is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It is on this auspicious day that Maa Durga vanquished demon Mahishasura. This victory of Durga Maa marks the culmination of the nine days of Navratri. On the tenth day, devotees partake in the festivities of Vijaydashami, commonly referred to as Dussehra. This spiritual journey is celebrated in the Shukla paksha period of the Hindu month of Ashwin, connecting us to our spiritual roots.

Importance of Maha Navami

Navratri is majorly celebrated twice a year. Of all these, Ashwin Navratri is believed to be the most sacred and immensely celebrated. Across the nine days, nine forms of Durga maa are revered. They are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri respectively. Thus, while each of the nine days of Navratri is significant, the last three days are celebrated with the most enthusiasm, honouring the various forms of energy and power. It is on the ninth day of the battle against Asura Mahishasura. Maa took the divine form of Mahisasur Mardini and saved the universe. Thus, Maha Navami is also called the great ninth day.

The Celebration of Maha Navami and Rituals

Devotees of Maa Durga observe fast and perform Puja to please the divine form during the Ashtami tithi. All this depends on the starting time of the Navami tithi. One can expect Maha Navami to be celebrated on 11 October 2024. On the day of Maha Navami, Maa Durga is revered as Goddess Saraswati. She is considered the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.

In the southern region of India, ‘Ayodhya puja’ is performed and even machines and different forms of tools used in everyday life are respected. It is believed that children resume their school activities in several places down South.

Similarly, ‘Kanya puja’ is celebrated in many parts of North and East India. In this ritual, nine girls symbolise the nine forms of Maa Durga. On this day, special delicacies are prepared for them, and their feet are cleansed with ‘Ganga Jal’ (holy water).

The state of West Bengal is on a different frequency during the nine days of Navratri. Multiple ‘Pandals’ are set up, and everyone walks through different Pandals, celebrating throughout the day and night.

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