Maha Navami 2026: Quick Answer
The Navami tithi in 2026 begins at 10:51 AM on Monday, 19 October and ends at 12:50 PM on Tuesday, 20 October. In the Durga Puja tradition (and on many panchangs), Maha Navami is marked on Monday, 19 October. Most North Indian households that follow the sunrise tithi perform Navami puja, kanya pujan and havan on the morning of Tuesday, 20 October, before 12:50 PM. Navratri parana (breaking the nine-day fast) is done after 12:50 PM on 20 October, and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is celebrated the same afternoon.
| Detail | Timing (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Navami tithi begins | 10:51 AM, Mon 19 Oct 2026 |
| Navami tithi ends | 12:50 PM, Tue 20 Oct 2026 |
| Maha Navami (Durga Puja tradition) | Mon 19 Oct 2026 |
| Navami puja / kanya pujan (udaya tithi) | Tue 20 Oct 2026, before 12:50 PM |
| Best window on 20 Oct (approx.) | 10:40 AM – 12:50 PM (Labh, Amrit choghadiya) |
| Abhijit muhurat, 20 Oct (approx.) | 11:41 AM – 12:27 PM |
| Navratri parana | After 12:50 PM, 20 Oct |
| Vijay muhurat (Dussehra) | ~2:00 PM – 2:45 PM, 20 Oct |
Why Two Dates for Navami?
This confusion arises because the Navami tithi starts in the late morning of 19 October and ends just after noon on 20 October.
- •The Durga Puja / Shakta rule: The puja of a tithi is done when that tithi prevails during the main part of the day. On 19 October Navami covers most of the daytime, so Bengal and many panchangs observe Maha Navami on 19 October. The Sandhi Puja (about 10:27–11:15 AM) also marks the start of Navami that day.
- •The udaya tithi rule: Most households in North India, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, follow the tithi present at sunrise. Navami is present at sunrise on 20 October, so they perform Navami vrat, kanya pujan and havan on 20 October — and must complete them before 12:50 PM.
Both are valid. Follow your family custom or the advice of your local priest. If you have no fixed custom, the morning of 20 October before 12:50 PM is the most practical choice in North India.
Significance of Maha Navami
Navami is the final day of Navratri and is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Durga, who grants all siddhis and fulfils devotees' wishes. According to the Devi Mahatmya, the Goddess's battle with the demons reached its climax on this day. Navami completes the nine-day anushthan: the Durga Saptashati path is concluded, a havan is performed, young girls are worshipped, and the Navratri vrat is completed.
In South India, Navami is celebrated as Ayudha Puja, when tools, vehicles, books and instruments are worshipped. In Bengal, Maha Navami features the Navami Bhog and the Maha Aarti on the last night of Durga Puja. In Mysuru the royal Dasara procession reaches its peak. In many places, Navami is also linked to Saraswati Puja, with books and instruments placed before the Goddess.
Navami Puja Vidhi
- 1Bathe early, wear clean clothes and worship the kalash and the Goddess.
- 2Meditate on Maa Siddhidatri: "Siddha-gandharva-yakshadyair asurair amarair api, sevyamana sada bhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini."
- 3Offer red flowers, red chunri, shringar items and bhog — sesame (til), halwa, puri, chana and seasonal fruit.
- 4Complete the Durga Saptashati path (chapters 12–13, Devi Suktam and Kshama Prarthana).
- 5Perform the havan (see below).
- 6Do kanya pujan and feed the girls.
- 7Perform the final aarti and pray for forgiveness for any lapses during the nine days.
Navratri Havan Vidhi (Simple Home Method)
- •Samagri: havan kund, mango wood, havan samagri, ghee, camphor, black sesame, barley, rice, guggul, a dry coconut (gola), red cloth, kalava, and sweets for purnahuti.
- •Method: Purify the place, light the fire with camphor and mango wood, and offer ghee and samagri while chanting "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Swaha" 108 times. Make offerings to Ganesha, the Navagraha and the nine forms of Durga.
- •Purnahuti: Fill the dry coconut with ghee and samagri, wrap it in red cloth with kalava, and offer it into the fire with the final mantra.
- •Timing: On 20 October, complete the havan before 12:50 PM, while Navami prevails.
Navami Kanya Pujan
Invite nine girls aged 2 to 10 years and one boy. Wash their feet, apply tilak, tie kalava, offer a chunri, serve halwa-puri-chana, give dakshina and gifts, and touch their feet to seek their blessings. If you are doing kanya pujan on 20 October, finish it before 12:50 PM. For more, read kanya pujan — Ashtami or Navami? and the kanya pujan samagri list.
Navratri Parana 2026
Navratri parana means formally ending the nine-day fast. According to the Nirnaya Sindhu, parana should be done after Navami ends and Dashami begins. In 2026 Navami ends at 12:50 PM on 20 October, so do the parana after that, ideally with the Goddess's prasad. Those who kept the fast only on Ashtami may break it after kanya pujan on 19 October.
Kalash and Jau Visarjan
After Navami puja, the kalash is ceremonially moved. Sprinkle the kalash water around the house and on family members as a blessing. Keep the coin and supari in your locker or puja place. Distribute some of the barley sprouts (jawara) as prasad, keep a few in your wallet or locker, and immerse the rest in flowing water or at the root of a tree. In many families visarjan is done on Vijayadashami morning instead.
Vijayadashami on the Same Day
Since Dashami begins at 12:50 PM on 20 October, Dussehra is celebrated on the afternoon of 20 October. Aparajita and Shami puja are done in the aparahna period (about 1:13 PM to 3:30 PM in Delhi), and the Vijay muhurat is about 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM. Ravana Dahan takes place after sunset. See our Dussehra page.
Summary
Navami tithi in 2026 runs from 10:51 AM on 19 October to 12:50 PM on 20 October. Maha Navami is marked on 19 October in the Durga Puja tradition, while North Indian families observe Navami puja, havan and kanya pujan on 20 October before 12:50 PM. Break the Navratri fast after 12:50 PM, and celebrate Dussehra the same afternoon.
