Avidhava Navami

Avidhava Navami is an auspicious Hindu ritual observed on the ‘Navami’ (9th day) of Pitru Paksha (the fortnight devoted to ancestors). As per the North Indian calendar, it is observed during the ‘Ashwin Krishna Paksha’ whereas according to the Amavasyant calendar followed in the state of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, Avidhava Navami falls on the ‘Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Navami.’

This observance is dedicated to married women whose death happened before their husbands. Therefore Avidhava Navami is a day followed by widowers. On this day, demigods such as ‘Dhurilochan’ are worshipped instead of Hindu Gods. The word ‘dhuri’ implies ‘smoke’ while ‘lochan’ in Hindi means ‘eyes,’ and the eyes of these demigods remain half closed owing to smoke. On Avidhava Navami, devotees worship to invoke these Gods and seek their blessings. The rituals of Avidhava Navami vary from one region to another and also differ in communities. Avidhava Navami is mainly observed in the northern states of India and is also popularly known as ‘Adukha Navami.’

Avidhava Navami 2025 is on September 15 Monday

8 months and 27 days to go for the event

Avidhava Navami

Rituals during Avidhava Navami:

The rituals of Avidhava Navami for the women should be performed by the eldest son on the ‘Navami’ (9th day) tithi of the Pitru Paksha period. Regular Shraddha rituals of tarpan and pinda daan are performed on this day to offer peace and liberation to the soul of the deceased women. Also, on Avidhava Navami, Brahmana muthaide bhojana must be arranged. After offering food, the Brahmins are given Dakshina, which includes saree, blouse piece, kumkum, mirror, and flowers.

In some regions on Avidhava Navami, normal Shraddha rituals are not performed. Instead, a meal is offered to the soul of the married woman. While in some places, people perform Sankalpa Shraddha on Avidhava Navami, while some people only do normal Shraddha rituals on this day.

On Avidhava Navami, unlike other Pitru Paksha Shraddha wherein souls of all forefathers are summoned, on this day, the observer beckons his mother (Mata), grandmother (maatamahi), and also great grandmother (prapitaamahi). Following this, panda pradhana is performed, also called ‘Anvasthaka Shraddha.’

Important Timings On Avidhava Navami 2025

Significance of Avidhava Navami:

The word ‘Avidhava’ signifies ‘not a widow’ or ‘a Sumangali.’ The rituals of Avidhava Navami are therefore performed for women who died as Sumangali. These rituals offer peace to the married woman’s soul after death, and she, in turn, shows blessings on her progenies. According to the Hindu Sastras, Avidhava Navami should be observed till the husband of the muthaide is alive. This ritual must no longer be followed after the death of one’s father. The Avidhava Navami Shraddha karma is therefore only performed for women ancestors. If, for any reason, a person misses performing the Avidhava Navami rituals, then the Shraddha can be performed on ‘Mahalaya Amavasya.’

Avidhava Navami festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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