Question 1

When is Nanda Navami observed?

Accepted Answer

Nanda Navami falls on Navami tithi of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapada. The tithi current at sunrise governs the observance, so the Gregorian date changes from year to year and must be checked in a yearly panchanga.

Question 2

Which goddess is worshipped on Nanda Navami?

Accepted Answer

Nanda Navami is generally a Shakti festival honouring Nanda Devi or a related form of Durga. Its exact identity varies by tradition, and it should not automatically be treated as the same observance as every Nanda Devi fair or Nanda Ashtami celebration.

Question 3

How is Nanda Navami puja performed at home?

Accepted Answer

A simple puja can include a clean altar, an image of the Goddess, a lamp, incense, flowers, water, a vegetarian food offering, prayer, and arati. A partial fast or one simple vegetarian meal is common in general Devi practice, but local rules should guide the choice.

Question 4

What should be eaten during the Nanda Navami fast?

Accepted Answer

No single universal fasting rule is established here for all Nanda Navami traditions. Some households fast partly or eat one vegetarian meal, while others observe the day through prayer and offerings without fasting.

Question 5

Is Nanda Navami the same as Nanda Ashtami?

Accepted Answer

Nanda Navami is connected with the ninth lunar day of the bright fortnight in Bhadrapada. Nanda Ashtami, by contrast, refers to the eighth lunar day, so the two names should not be merged even when local celebrations are closely related.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Thu, 12 Sept, 2024	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 1 Sept, 2025	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 20 Sept, 2026	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Thu, 9 Sept, 2027	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 28 Aug, 2028	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 16 Sept, 2029	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 6 Sept, 2030	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Thu, 25 Sept, 2031	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 14 Sept, 2032	ShuklaShukla Navami	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Nanda Navami

Dates by year