Navratri Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri (सिद्धिदात्री), Story, Mantra & Puja

On day 9 of Navratri, the Navami tithi, devotees worship Maa Siddhidatri (माँ सिद्धिदात्री), the ninth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In 2026 her day falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

The story of Maa Siddhidatri

At the beginning of creation, the Puranas say, Shiva worshipped the Adi Shakti to gain the powers of creation. She appeared as Siddhidatri, “the giver of siddhis”, and granted him all eight great siddhis. So complete was her grace that half of Shiva’s body became hers, and he became Ardhanarishvara, half-man and half-woman.

The eight siddhis are Anima (becoming small), Mahima (becoming vast), Garima (becoming heavy), Laghima (becoming light), Prapti (reaching anything), Prakamya (fulfilling any wish), Ishitva (lordship) and Vashitva (mastery). But the greatest gift she gives, the saints say, is freedom from wanting any of them.

Her form and what it means

She sits on a lotus (and is also shown on a lion), with four arms holding a discus, conch, mace and lotus. Gods, sages, gandharvas and even asuras are shown worshipping her.

Day nine is about fulfilment. The journey that began with Shailaputri’s steadiness ends here, with every effort of the nine days completed and offered to the goddess.

Dhyana mantra

सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥

May Siddhidatri, the giver of siddhis, who is served by siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, asuras and gods alike, always grant us fulfilment.

How to worship Maa Siddhidatri on day 9

1. Bathe early, wear clean clothes, and sit before the kalash and the goddess’s picture.
2. Offer water to the kalash, and fresh flowers, kumkum and akshat to the goddess.
3. Light the diya (or tend the akhand jyoti) and incense.
4. Offer her bhog: sesame (til), and the halwa-puri-chana prasad of Navami.
5. Chant ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः 108 times, and recite the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
6. Sing the aarti “Jai Ambe Gauri” and share the prasad with your family.

Maha Navami and what comes next

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 is Maha Navami (Navami till 12:50 PM in New Delhi). Families do the Navami havan, kanya pujan if it was not done on Ashtami, and in the south Ayudha Puja, placing books, tools and vehicles before the goddess. That afternoon Dashami begins, and most calendars keep Dussehra the same day. After the Vijayadashami puja the kalash is taken down, and the sprouted barley is shared or kept in the puja room.

The nine days

← Day 8: Maa Mahagauri

See all nine days, the dates, Ghatasthapana and fasting rules in our Navratri 2026 guide.

Artwork: the goddess riding a lion, chromolithograph, Wellcome Collection, CC BY 4.0.