Mahananda Navami is a sacred Hindu festival celebrated primarily to worship Goddess Durga. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival falls on the Navami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the months of ‘Magha,' ‘Bhadrapada,' and ‘Margashirsha.'
This year, Mahananda Navami will be celebrated on February 8. It is also known as Tala Navami.
On this day, devotees take a holy dip in sacred rivers and worship Goddess Durga. It is believed that worshiping the goddess on this day brings special blessings and eradicates all the sorrows of life.
What to Do on Mahananda Navami
1. Bathing and Purification
- Waking up before sunrise and taking a bath is considered highly auspicious on Mahananda Navami.
- Bathing in holy rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati is believed to bring spiritual merit.
- If a river bath is not possible, mix Ganga water in your bath at home.
2. Worship Rituals
- Clean the worship area and place an idol or picture of Goddess Durga.
- Wear red-colored clothes as they symbolize power and energy.
- Light a lamp and offer flowers to Goddess Durga.
- Recite Durga Chalisa, Durga Saptashati, or Durga Ashtakam.
- Offer fruits, sweets, coconut, and particularly ‘Talar Bara' as prasad to the goddess.
3. Fasting
- Married women observe a strict fast on this day.
- Consume fruits and avoid grains during the fast.
- Break the fast only after sighting the moon at night.
4. Charity and Kanya Pujan
- Offer food to young girls and present them with clothes and money.
- Donating to cows, Brahmins, or the needy is highly meritorious.
What Not to Do on Mahananda Navami
- Avoid anger, lies, and offensive language.
- Do not consume meat, alcohol, or other tamasic foods.
- Stay focused during the worship and avoid distractions.
- Show respect, especially to young girls and the elderly.
Legend of Mahananda Navami
According to the Puranas, the daughter of a wealthy merchant was deeply devoted and worshipped a Peepal tree daily. Goddess Lakshmi resided in that tree and became pleased with her devotion. One day, the goddess befriended the girl and invited her to her divine abode, where she showered the girl with gifts and asked her to invite the goddess to her home.
When the girl informed her father, he expressed concern as they had nothing to welcome the goddess. At that moment, an eagle dropped a diamond necklace in their home. Selling the necklace, the merchant bought golden seats and plates for the goddess's reception. When Goddess Lakshmi arrived with Lord Ganesha, the girl served them with utmost devotion, earning the goddess's blessings of prosperity.
Significance of Mahananda Navami
- This Navami holds immense religious significance. Worshiping Goddess Durga on this day removes all hardships from life.
- Goddess Durga symbolizes power and courage.
- She is also called ‘Durgatinashini,' which means the one who eradicates all troubles.
- Observing fast on this day is believed to destroy all sins and bring peace and prosperity.
Celebration of Mahananda Navami
- Special rituals are conducted at Bijara Temple in Odisha and Kanak Durga Temple in West Bengal.
- Devotees wear traditional attire — women in red and white sarees, and men in white dhotis.
- Bhajans, kirtans, and religious programs are organized.
- Special offerings, including ‘Talar Bara,' Rajbhog, Kalakand, and Murmura Laddus, are made to the goddess.
- After the worship, prasad is distributed among devotees.
Mahananda Navami Worship Rituals in Brief
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- Bathe before sunrise.
- Clean the worship area and establish an idol of Goddess Durga.
- Light a lamp and offer flowers.
- Recite Durga Chalisa.
- Offer prasad and perform Kanya Pujan.
- Stay awake throughout the night in the remembrance of the goddess.
- Break the fast after sighting the moon.
Message of Mahananda Navami
Mahananda Navami conveys the importance of purity, devotion, and dedication in life. Worshiping Goddess Durga not only brings external peace but also grants inner strength. This day inspires us to stay away from negativity and follow the path of righteousness.