- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Durga Puja 2024: Maha Navami, the ninth day of Navratri, marks the penultimate day of reverence before Vijaya Dashami. Across India, Goddess Durga is venerated in various forms, showcasing diverse regional traditions. This significant day falls on the ninth day of the Shukla paksha, a bright lunar phase, in the Ashwin month of the Hindu calendar. Devotees offer fervent prayers and perform rituals to seek Goddess Durga's blessings, invoking her potent energy to vanquish evil and ignorance. As the final day of worship before Navratri's culmination, Maha Navami holds immense spiritual significance, preparing devotees for the triumphant celebration of Vijaya Dashami. This year, Maha Navami will be observed on 11th October 2024.
Durga Puja 2024: Maha Navami Date And Time
- Maha Navami 2024 Date: 11th October 2024
- Navami Tithi Begins: 12:07 PM, 11th October 2024
- Navami Tithi Ends: 10:59 AM, 12th October 2024
Durga Puja 2024: Maha Navami Muhurat
- Homa Muhurta: October 11, 06:26 AM - October 12, 10:59 AM
- Parana Time: October 12, 10:59 AM
Maha Navami honours Goddess Durga's triumph, marking Navratri's penultimate day, with vibrant worship and regional celebrations across India. (Image Source: Canva)
Durga Puja 2024: Maha Navami Significance
According to sacred Hindu texts, Maha Navami commemorates the final day of Goddess Durga's epic battle against Mahishasur, the demon king. This ninth day signifies the eve of new beginnings, as devotees prepare for Vijaya Dashami, celebrating good's triumph over evil. In Southern India, Ayudha Puja honours tools, machinery, and instruments, alongside Goddess Durga, worshipped as Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and wisdom.
In North and East India, Kanya Pujan is a prominent ritual, where nine young girls are revered as Goddess Durga's nine forms. They are pampered with foot washing, adornments, new clothes, and offerings. In Eastern India, Maha Navami marks the third day of Durga Puja, featuring a holy bath, Shodhasopachar puja, and worship of Devi Durga as Mahishasuramardini. The day concludes with Navami hom, a special ritual. Significantly, puja performed on Maha Navami is considered equivalent to worship on all nine days of Navratri, amplifying its spiritual significance as a precursor to Vijaya Dashami's celebratory culmination.
Durga Puja 2024: Sandhi Puja Rituals On Maha Navami
On Maha Navami, Sandhi Puja is a critical ritual performed at the juncture of the eighth and ninth day of Navratri. This 45-minute window, known as the "Sandhi" moment, marks the precise time when Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasur was sealed. Devotees believe that the energy of the Goddess is at its peak during this period. The puja involves offering prayers, flowers, and naivedya (food offerings) to Goddess Durga, seeking her blessings and protection.
During Sandhi Puja, devotees chant mantras, recite shlokas, and perform aarti, accompanied by the sounds of dhaks (drums) and shankhs (conch shells). The ritual concludes with the distribution of prasad and the lighting of lamps. Sandhi Puja is considered a pivotal moment in the Navratri celebrations, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It is believed that participating in this ritual brings spiritual growth, prosperity, and divine grace, setting the stage for the victorious celebrations of Vijaya Dashami.
(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert in the relevant field.)