Khande Navami is the ninth day of Navratri. Khanda is a sword: this was the day Maratha households cleaned and worshipped their weapons before the campaigning season that opened on Dasara. Today the worship goes to whatever one works with, the plough, the lathe, the taxi, the laptop, and every vehicle and machine in Maharashtra is hung with marigolds.
The story
The goddess killed Mahishasura on this day, and her own weapons are honoured with her. The rains have ended, the roads are dry, and in the old order armies set out the next morning.
The pot installed nine days ago is taken up on Navami or Dasara, and the sprouted grain is offered to the goddess and worn in the turban or the hair.
आई राजा उदो उदो! सदानंदीचा उदो उदो!
Mother, queen, rise, rise! Rise, ever-blissful one!
The cry of pilgrims to Tuljapur
How it is kept
- Shastra pujaWeapons, tools and machines are cleaned, marked with kumkum and garlanded.
- VehiclesWashed, garlanded, and a lemon crushed under each wheel.
- Navami homaA fire offering closes the nine days.
- Ghat utthapanaThe pot is ceremonially taken up.
Why this date
Khande Navami is the Navami of the bright half of Ashwin, on the day it prevails in the afternoon.
Khande Navami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday |
More Marathi festivals
19 OctoberDurga Ashtamiदुर्गाष्टमी
20 OctoberDasaraदसरा
8 NovemberDiwaliदिवाळी
14 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiगणेश चतुर्थी
8 NovemberNarak Chaturdashiनरक चतुर्दशी
4 SeptemberGokulashtami and Dahi Handiगोकुळाष्टमी · दहीहंडी
Where to see Khande Navami
In Maharashtra
- TuljapurMaharashtraThe temple of Bhavani, the goddess who is said to have armed Shivaji.
- PratapgadMaharashtraThe hill fort where Shivaji built a temple to Bhavani.
- JejuriMaharashtraKhandoba's hill, where on Dasara a huge sword is lifted in a contest of strength.
Across India
- MysuruKarnatakaAyudha Puja at the palace, for the state sword and the elephants.
- KolkataWest BengalThe last full day of Durga Puja.
- JodhpurRajasthanRajput houses worship their arms at Mehrangarh.