Maha Navami 2026 — Monday 19 October
మహా నవమి 2026
Ashwin Shukla Navami · Sharad Navaratri Day 9 · Ayudha Puja / Sarasvati Puja / Navratri Day 9 · Navami Tithi begins 18 Oct 22:04 IST · ends 19 Oct 21:19 IST · Kanya Pujan Muhurat 07:20 – 09:22 IST (Ashwin) · Ayudha Puja early morning · Navami Havan 06:00 – 08:00 IST
Maha Navami 2026 (also called Ayudha Puja / Sarasvati Puja / Navratri Day 9) falls on Monday, 19 October 2026. Maha Navami is the closing day of Sharad Navaratri — worship of Siddhidatri, the ninth Durga form who grants siddhis. Also observed as Ayudha Puja in South India: instruments, tools, vehicles, books, and weapons are cleaned, decorated with turmeric-kumkum + banana leaves, and worshipped as extensions of the goddess. In Bengal, Maha Navami is the day of Navami Bhog (elaborate community feast) at Durga Puja pandals. The nine-day Chandi Path culminates in a Havan (fire ritual with Durga Saptashati mantras and 108 ahutis). Primary observance: Siddhidatri puja (9th Durga form), Kanya Pujan (households that didn't do it on Ashtami do it today), Ayudha Puja (arrange all tools/instruments/vehicles/books on decorated platform, offer haldi-kumkum + flowers + arati), Navami Havan closing the 9-day chandi path (108 ahutis of ghee + til + samagri chanting Durga Saptashati). Recommended muhurat: Navami Tithi begins 18 Oct 22:04 IST · ends 19 Oct 21:19 IST · Kanya Pujan Muhurat 07:20 – 09:22 IST (Ashwin) · Ayudha Puja early morning · Navami Havan 06:00 – 08:00 IST.
Maha Navami 2026 — Date & Muhurat
| Festival Date | Monday, 19 October 2026 |
| Telugu Masa & Tithi | Ashwin Shukla Navami · Sharad Navaratri Day 9 |
| Primary Muhurat | Navami Tithi begins 18 Oct 22:04 IST · ends 19 Oct 21:19 IST · Kanya Pujan Muhurat 07:20 – 09:22 IST (Ashwin) · Ayudha Puja early morning · Navami Havan 06:00 – 08:00 IST |
| Alternative Names | Ayudha Puja / Sarasvati Puja / Navratri Day 9 |
All timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool.
Significance of Maha Navami 2026
Maha Navami is the closing day of Sharad Navaratri — worship of Siddhidatri, the ninth Durga form who grants siddhis. Also observed as Ayudha Puja in South India: instruments, tools, vehicles, books, and weapons are cleaned, decorated with turmeric-kumkum + banana leaves, and worshipped as extensions of the goddess. In Bengal, Maha Navami is the day of Navami Bhog (elaborate community feast) at Durga Puja pandals. The nine-day Chandi Path culminates in a Havan (fire ritual with Durga Saptashati mantras and 108 ahutis).
Key Rituals on Maha Navami 2026
Siddhidatri puja (9th Durga form), Kanya Pujan (households that didn't do it on Ashtami do it today), Ayudha Puja (arrange all tools/instruments/vehicles/books on decorated platform, offer haldi-kumkum + flowers + arati), Navami Havan closing the 9-day chandi path (108 ahutis of ghee + til + samagri chanting Durga Saptashati). Navami is the last day of the fast; parana at Dashami morning.
Maha Navami 2026 Puja Samagri Checklist (Shopping List)
Items to procure 1-2 days before Maha Navami 2026:
| # | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Siddhidatri picture/idol |
| 2 | Purple/violet flowers |
| 3 | Banana leaves (for Ayudha Puja platform) |
| 4 | Turmeric + kumkum + sandalwood paste |
| 5 | Coconut + betel + sugarcane pieces |
| 6 | Havan samagri (til + ghee + jav + samagri mix) |
| 7 | 108 pieces of samagri for ahuti |
| 8 | Naivedyam: puran poli, kheer, laddoo, tamarind rice, curd rice |
| 9 | For Ayudha Puja: turmeric paste, red-yellow threads, banana leaves |
| 10 | Books + instruments + tools (all cleaned) |
Regional Variations of Maha Navami 2026
Tamil Nadu (largest Ayudha Puja): Every household worships tools — cook's knives, tailor's machine, car, laptop, musical instruments; garland with turmeric-mango leaves. Karnataka: Mysore Dasara Ayudha Puja is state-level — royal weapons, elephant procession begins. Andhra/Telangana: Bathukamma finale (Saddula Bathukamma) — women immerse flower-stacks in water bodies. Kerala: Vidyarambham prep — kids about to begin school will be initiated tomorrow on Vijayadashami. Bengal: Navami Bhog community feast; sindoor-khela prep for Dashami. Maharashtra: Navami Havan + Kanya Pujan.