Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1466

c8.1466

NAVAMĪVRATA. (Fast on the ninth lunar day). This is a special fast taken in the month of Tulām (October-November) with a view to obtain 'Bhukti' (enjoyment or possession) and 'Mukti' (Beatitude). The important rite of this worship is to take fast on the ninth night of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Tulām and worship goddess Gaurī. This navamī is also called Gaurīnavamī. Another name of this navamī is Piṣṭāka navamī. This name is given because on that day Piṣṭam (ground rice) is eaten and the goddess is worshipped. In the bright lunar fortnight of the month of Tulām (Āśvina), on the eighth when the star is Mūlam and the Sun is in the zodiac of Kanyā if there is the touch of Navamī, it is called Aghārdananavamī or Mahānavamī.