Maha Naumi is the ninth and last day of the autumn Navratri. Families who feed the kanjaks on the ninth do so this morning. The khetri, the dish of barley shoots, is taken to running water. And every town's Ramlila, staged night after night by a neighbourhood committee with local shopkeepers and students in the parts, reaches its last evening before the burning of Ravana.
The story
The goddess killed the buffalo demon on this day. The parallel story, told on the Ramlila stage, is that Rama worshipped her for nine days to win the strength to defeat Ravana.
Punjab's Ramlilas grew up in the bazaars of the nineteenth century, and the committees that run them are among the oldest civic bodies in many towns.
How it is kept
- KanjakFor households that keep it on Naumi.
- Khetri visarjanThe barley is immersed in a canal or river.
- HavanA fire offering closes the nine days.
- RamlilaThe last night, with the fall of Meghnad and Kumbhakaran.
Why this date
Maha Naumi is the Navami of the bright fortnight of Assu, on the day it prevails in the afternoon.
Maha Naumi in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Punjabi festivals
7 OctoberDurga Ashtamiਦੁਰਗਾ ਅਸ਼ਟਮੀ
9 OctoberDussehraਦੁਸਹਿਰਾ
18 OctoberKarwa Chauthਕਰਵਾ ਚੌਥ
3 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiਗਣੇਸ਼ ਚਤੁਰਥੀ
24 AugustJanam Ashtamiਜਨਮ ਅਸ਼ਟਮੀ
29 OctoberDiwali and Bandi Chhor Divasਦੀਵਾਲੀ · ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ
Where to see Maha Naumi
In Punjab
- Daresi Ground, LudhianaPunjabOne of the oldest Ramlila and Dussehra grounds of Punjab.
- AmritsarPunjabRamlilas in every quarter of the walled city.
- PatialaPunjabThe royal city's Ramlila at the old fort.
Across India
- Ramnagar, VaranasiUttar PradeshThe month-long Ramlila of the Maharaja.
- DelhiDelhiThe Ramlila Maidan and the Red Fort grounds.
- KulluHimachal PradeshThe valley prepares for its own week of Dussehra.