Mahanavami is the ninth day of Dasara, and across Karnataka it is Ayudha Puja, the worship of the instruments of one's work. In the Mysuru palace the state sword, the royal elephants, horses and cars are honoured. Everywhere else, buses, lorries, autorickshaws, lathes, sewing machines and computers are washed, smeared with sandal and kumkum, garlanded, and have an ash gourd smashed before them.
The story
The custom is traced to the Pandavas, who took their weapons down from the banni tree on this day at the end of their exile.
The name Mahanavami is carved into Karnataka's history: the great stone platform at Hampi from which the Vijayanagara kings watched the nine days of parade is the Mahanavami Dibba.
How it is kept
- CleaningEverything that will be worshipped is washed and repaired.
- PujaSandal paste, kumkum, flowers, and banana stems tied on either side.
- Boodu kumbalakayiAn ash gourd marked with kumkum is broken to take away the evil eye; lemons are crushed under the wheels.
- Saraswati PujaBooks and instruments are worshipped too.
- A day offNo tool is used until the next morning.
Why this date
Mahanavami is the Navami of the bright half of Ashvayuja, on the day it prevails in the afternoon.
Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday |
More Kannada festivals
19 OctoberDurgashtamiದುರ್ಗಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
20 OctoberVijayadashamiವಿಜಯದಶಮಿ
8 NovemberDeepavaliದೀಪಾವಳಿ
14 SeptemberGowri Ganesha Habbaಗೌರಿ ಗಣೇಶ ಹಬ್ಬ
8 NovemberNaraka Chaturdashiನರಕ ಚತುರ್ದಶಿ
4 SeptemberSri Krishna Janmashtamiಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಜನ್ಮಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
Where to see Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja
In Karnataka
- Mysore PalaceKarnatakaThe royal Ayudha Puja in the palace courtyard.
- Mahanavami Dibba, HampiKarnatakaThe carved platform of the Vijayanagara Dasara.
- Kempegowda Bus Station, BengaluruKarnatakaHundreds of state buses, each with its garland.
Across India
- CoimbatoreTamil NaduThe factory city, where every machine is garlanded.
- MaduraiTamil NaduThe Meenakshi temple, with the last of its nine evening alankarams.
- KolkataWest BengalThe last night of Durga Puja, with the dhunuchi dance.