On the ninth and final day of Sharad Navratri, known as Maha Navami, devotees across India worship Maa Siddhidatri. She is the ninth form of Goddess Durga who bestows all types of divine powers, success, and spiritual perfection to her believers. The Abhijit Muhurat is considered the most sacred time for puja and havan, usually falling between 11:45 AM and 12:30 PM on Maha Navami. Performing rituals during this period brings high prosperity and peace to the family.
Start the day by taking an early bath and wearing clean, fresh clothes. Clean your home temple, light a pure ghee diya, and place Maa Siddhidatri idol or picture. Offer fresh purple or pink lotus flowers, kumkum, and akshat. Recite the powerful mantra, "Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah", with deep devotion. Perform Kanya Pujan by inviting nine young girls, washing their feet, and seeking their blessings.
Offer traditional homemade halwa, puri, chana, seasonal fruits, and sesame seeds (til) as special bhog to the goddess. Devotees keeping a fast must avoid regular grains, onions, garlic, and normal table salt. Only rock salt (sendha namak), milk, fruits, and buckwheat flour (kuttu) should be consumed. Fasting concludes gracefully after completing the final evening aarti and Kanya Pujan rituals.
