Maha Navami marks the culmination of the battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura.
The day begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja.
Navami Homa is a significant ritual performed during the afternoon.
Durga Balidan symbolizes the offering of ego and negativity.
Kanya Puja honors young girls as embodiments of the divine feminine.
Details
The day commences with Mahasnan (a ceremonial bath) and Shodashopachar Puja, involving sixteen traditional offerings to honor Goddess Durga. On this day, she is venerated as Mahishasuramardini, symbolizing her triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura .
A pivotal ritual is the Navami Homa (sacred fire ceremony), performed during the Aparahna Kaal (afternoon period). This fire ritual signifies the purification of the environment and the devotees, invoking the goddess's blessings for peace and prosperity .
Durga Balidan, or the ritualistic offering, is also conducted on Maha Navami. Traditionally, this involved animal sacrifice, but in contemporary practices, symbolic offerings like pumpkins, coconuts, or sugarcane are made, representing the surrender of ego and negativity .
In several regions, Kanya Puja is performed, where nine young girls, representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga, are worshipped. Their feet are washed, and they are offered new clothes and food, acknowledging the divine feminine energy present in them .
