Mahanavami is the ninth day of Navaratri. In Kerala it is a day on which nothing is done: the books and tools put away the evening before lie in front of Saraswati, and no one studies, writes or works. Vehicles, machines and the weapons of the kalari are cleaned and worshipped as Ayudha Puja. Workshops and many offices are shut, and it is a public holiday.
The story
On this day the goddess killed the buffalo demon, and her weapons are honoured with her. In the old kingdoms of Kerala it was the day the Nair militias worshipped their swords and shields, and the kalaris, the training pits of the martial art kalaripayattu, still keep it.
The worship has widened to anything one works with: a fisherman's net, a carpenter's chisel, a bus, a computer.
How it is kept
- Ayudha PujaTools, vehicles and instruments are cleaned, marked with sandal paste and garlanded.
- RestNo reading, writing or work with the tools offered.
- Saraswati PujaMorning and evening before the books.
- KalariWeapons are worshipped in the kalari and no practice is held.
Why this date
Mahanavami is the Navami of the bright fortnight of Ashvina, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Mahanavami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Wednesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Kerala festivals
7 OctoberDurgashtamiദുർഗ്ഗാഷ്ടമി
10 OctoberVijayadashami and Vidyarambhamവിജയദശമി · വിദ്യാരംഭം
29 OctoberDeepavaliദീപാവലി
12 SeptemberThiruvonamതിരുവോണം
11 SeptemberUthradomഉത്രാടം
4 SeptemberVinayaka Chathurthiവിനായക ചതുർത്ഥി
Where to see Mahanavami
In Kerala
- Panachikkadu Saraswati TempleKeralaThousands of books lie before the goddess overnight.
- Attukal Temple, ThiruvananthapuramKeralaThe goddess temple of the capital, crowded through Navaratri.
- Kodungallur Bhagavathy TempleKeralaOne of the oldest seats of the goddess on the coast.
Across India
- MysuruKarnatakaAyudha Puja at the palace, for the sword of state.
- KollurKarnatakaMookambika's chariot is drawn on Navami night.
- CoimbatoreTamil NaduThe factory city just across the Ghats, where every machine is garlanded.