Holiday on October 24, 2020 for Maha Navami
Maha Navami 2020
Maha Navami is an optional holiday, falls on Saturday, October 24th this year as per Govt. Dopt 2020 holiday list. This is the ninth day of Durga Puja. On this day, the victory of Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura is celebrated.
Mahanavami is third and final day of Durga Puja. Durga Puja on Maha Navami begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja. Maha Navami is declared as a public holiday in several states in India. The dates may vary from state to state. The dates for the year 2020 could fall on 24 or 25 October.
How People celebrates
On Maha Navami Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardini which means the Annihilator of the Buffalo Demon. It is believed that on Maha Navami day Durga killed the demon Mahishasura.
It is important to note that depending on starting time of Navami Tithi on previous day Maha Navami Puja and Upavas might be done on Ashtami Tithi. The precise rule is that if Ashtami and Navami merge before Sanyakal on Ashtami Tithi then Ashtami Puja and Navami Puja including Sandhi Puja are done on the same day.
However Durga Balidan is always done on Uday Vyapini Navami Tithi. According to Nirnaysindhu the most appropriate time to perform Balidan on Navami is Aparahna Kaal.
Navami Homa is performed on Maha Navami and it is the significant ritual during Durga Puja. The best time to perform Homa is at the end of Navami Puja.
Traditions of Maha Navami
On this day, the goddess Durga is believed to finally defeated the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. To mark her victory the goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasurmardini.
Devotees of the goddess will pray to Durga for prosperity and good health. In West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Tripura the puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Some believe that puja done on this day is equal to all the puja done during all the other days of Navratri. Huge crowds gather to offer prayers and to enjoy festive treats and participate in cultural events.