Navaratri 2026 · Navami · October 19, 2026
Undoubtedly, I have been on a roller coaster ride since September 18, 2026 and required some much needed rest. The alarm set for 6 am kept buzzing for 19 minutes this morning before it registered in my brain cells and I woke up. I made the executive decision to skip my morning walk and catch up on much needed beauty sleep. I finally left bed at 7:45 am for an 8 o’clock meeting. I was up and alive, fresh and alert for the meeting and had a very productive meeting. From the moment I woke up I have been working, moving nonstop, and it is past quarter to twelve. I need to finish by midnight, before the elegant carriage of moi, the Cinderella, turns into a pumpkin.
Clients, Chores and Navami Preparations
I had to fulfill several clients’ tall demands and that ate up a major portion of my day. Then I wanted to make sure that my house was spic and span for Ma Durga’s Navami pujan. One of the most important tasks was to toss out the dirty laundry to the laundromat for wash and fold, so that there was no dirty linen strewn around the house.
Helping at the Voter Registration Drive
Having taken care of this super important job, it was time to leave for the voter registration campaign at a local public library to assist my fellow comrades. We did a good job today: I handed out three registration forms to fellow citizens, and one lady came at the very last minute to fill out a voter registration form for herself. A very productive day indeed. Rarely are we so successful. In these times of extreme partisanship, people are very afraid to even talk to a stranger, let alone fill out a form.
An Evening Stroll and My Fruit Habit
I walked out of the library at 6 pm; the evening was still young. I wandered around the streets, checking one store after the other, and bought more and more different varieties of fruits and bread. My fridge is overflowing with fruits, but I just can’t stop myself from buying new fruits. I’m just hooked on it these days. It’s okay, I made a pact with my friend: this Thursday I’ll carry all the different varieties of fruits and have a fruit party at her home.
Navami Pujan for Ma Durga
All day long, I had been running around like a chicken without a head. Now it was time to beautify the house in honor of Ma Durga and pay my regards to her on this auspicious day of Navami, the ninth day of the Navaratri celebration. I bathed all my gods in the holy waters of the Hudson River, running through the City pipelines and coming into my house by faucets installed by building management. After having purified my gods and Goddess Durga mounted on her lion-tiger, I offered a red rose, adorned their foreheads with kumkum and rice, lit the lamp, offered them three fresh varieties of fruits that I bought in their honor today and offered my prayers, seeking their blessings.
Please allow me to share my Ma Durga and all other pantheons of gods and goddesses with you.
May all the world be peaceful; showered with their blessings, may all mankind live harmoniously together, striving for a bright and blessed future!
Kanya Langur Pujan in India
Navaratri 2026 series: This post is part of my daily Navaratri reflections. Read the previous day, Ashtami, the Saptami posts, Animal Spirits and Sunset to Moonrise; the next day, Vijayadashami; and see all Navaratri 2026 posts.
