Bhadrakali Navaratri, Day 9 (Mahanavami): Mahishasuramardini Alankaram

Mahanavami: the goddess as Mahishasuramardini, with Siddhidatri durgarchana, Shumbha durgarchana and vasantotsavam. Chaturanta seva at 11 am; Vimana (Sarva Bhupala vahana) seva at 7 pm, with mahaprasadam. Nityahnikam at 4 am every day. Darshan 4 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 8 pm (madhyahna puja 12 to 1). Part of the Sri Bhadrakali Devi Sharannavaratri (Dasara) Mahotsavam, 11 to 21 October 2026.

Significance: Mahanavami marks the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahisha, so the goddess is Mahishasuramardini, the triumph of good over evil. Siddhidatri, the ninth Durga, grants spiritual powers (siddhis). Many families do Ayudha puja for tools, books and vehicles around this day.