What is Maha Navami and what are its key rituals?

Maha Navami is the ninth lunar day (Navami Tithi) of Ashwin Shukla Paksha — the fourth main day of Durga Puja. In 2026 it falls on October 19-20. Key rituals include Navami Hom (fire offering), the grand Navami Bhog (community feast), Dhunuchi Naach (dance with burning clay incense pots), and the final Arati before Bisarjan on Vijaya Dashami.

What is Navami Hom on Maha Navami 2026 and when does it occur?

Navami Hom is a Vedic fire sacrifice performed on Maha Navami as an offering before Durga's departure. The hom involves ghee, wood, and sacred materials offered into a consecrated fire, typically between 7 AM and 10 AM when the Navami Tithi is active as per the Bengali panjika for 2026.

What is Dhunuchi Naach on Maha Navami?

Dhunuchi Naach is a devotional dance where devotees balance burning clay pots (dhunuchi) filled with burning coconut shell, camphor, and dhuno incense. The smoke and fire symbolise offering the self to the Goddess. Performed to fast dhak drum beats in front of the Durga idol, it is one of the most visually spectacular rituals of Durga Puja.

Is Maha Navami 2026 a public holiday in West Bengal?

Yes, Maha Navami is a gazetted public holiday in West Bengal, part of the four-day Durga Puja holiday block. The main daytime observance is on October 20, 2026.

Maha Navami 2026 (Durga Navami) | মহা নবমী ২০২৬

Maha Navami 2026 â€” Navami Hom fire ritual and arati

Looking for calendar views and tithis?

Read more about the exact tithi timings and planetary alignments in our comprehensive October 2026 Calendar.

View October Calendar →

About Maha Navami (Durga Navami)(উৎসব পরিচিতি)

Maha Navami 2026 falls on October 19-20, 2026.

Maha Navami features the Navami Hom (sacred fire ritual), Maha Arati, and final grand Bhog feast. It is the last night before the Goddess departs.

History: Marks the final day of Durga's battle before defeating Mahishasura.

Significance: The final night of pandal hopping where Kolkata stays awake until dawn.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Navami Hom fire ritual.

Maha Arati and Dhunuchi Naach.

Navami Bhog distribution.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Bhoger Khichuri, Kosha Mangso or Chhana Curry, and sweets.

Festival Calendar

Oct19

Maha Navami

৩ কার্তিক • মহা নবমী ২০২৬

Mon

Related Festivals

Durga Puja

দুর্গাপূজা ২০২৬

17 October

Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra)

বিজয়া দশমী ২০২৬

20 October

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

October 2026 Calendar Daily Panjika All Festivals 2026 Full Year Calendar

Quick Info

FestivalMaha Navami (Durga Navami)

Date19 October 2026

DayMonday

Tithiচতুর্থী

Bangla Date৩ কার্তিক ১৪৩৩

Pakshaশুক্লপক্ষ

Panjika Details

Sunrise5:50 AM

Sunset5:15 PM

Nakshatraমঘা

Yogaশুভ

Karanaচতুষ্পদ

Need Bengali Date conversion?