Akshaya Navami 2026 Date and Puja Time in Mumbai: 18 Nov
Akshaya Navami 2026 falls on Wednesday, 18 November 2026. As per Drik Panchang for Mumbai, the Purvahna puja time is 6:47 AM to 12:24 PM, and the Navami tithi runs from 6:04 AM on 18 November to 7:05 AM on 19 November. It is also called Amla Navami, and the amla (Indian gooseberry) tree is worshipped on this day.
Quick facts
Date: Wednesday, 18 November 2026
Puja window (Mumbai): 6:47 AM to 12:24 PM (Purvahna)
Navami tithi begins: 6:04 AM, 18 November
Navami tithi ends: 7:05 AM, 19 November
Other names: Amla Navami, Satya Yugadi, Jagaddhatri Puja (West Bengal)
Hindu month: Kartik, Shukla Paksha
Source: Drik Panchang, Mumbai timings
When is Akshaya Navami in 2026?
Akshaya Navami is observed on the Shukla Navami of the Kartik month. In 2026 it comes two days before Dev Uthani Ekadashi. The Navami tithi starts at 6:04 AM on 18 November, which is just before sunrise-time puja hours begin, so the day is clearly 18 November for Mumbai. Because tithi timings shift slightly between cities, please check your local panchang for your own town.
The best time for the puja is the Purvahna, the forenoon part of the day. For Mumbai, Drik Panchang lists it as 6:47 AM to 12:24 PM, a window of about 5 hours 36 minutes. This gives families plenty of time to finish the tree worship and charity in the morning.
What is Akshaya Navami and why is it called Amla Navami?
The word Akshaya means something that never diminishes. Hindu tradition holds that charity, prayer and good deeds done on this day carry lasting merit. As per Drik Panchang, it is believed that the Satya Yuga began on this day, which is why it is also called Satya Yugadi. It is regarded as being as significant as Akshaya Tritiya, which marks the start of Treta Yuga.
The name Amla Navami comes from the custom of worshipping the amla tree. The amla is considered sacred and is linked in tradition with Lord Vishnu. Many families also value the fruit for its Vitamin C and its place in Ayurvedic food, so the festival nicely connects faith and everyday health.
Akshaya Navami puja vidhi at home
A simple puja can be done by following these steps. Local customs differ, so follow what your family elders do.
First, wake up early, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Then go to an amla tree in a garden, temple or society compound. If there is no tree, many people use a small amla plant or a few amla fruits kept on the puja altar.
Clean the area around the tree, and offer water and a little raw milk at its roots. Apply haldi and kumkum, offer flowers, and light a diya. Tie a sacred red or yellow thread around the trunk while walking around it, which is called parikrama. Many families do seven or eleven rounds.
Finish with an aarti and a prayer to Lord Vishnu. Afterwards, some families sit and eat a meal under the amla tree. This custom is common in North India and in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Samagri list for Amla Navami puja
Amla tree or amla fruits
Water in a lota and a little raw milk
Haldi, kumkum and akshata (rice)
Flowers and tulsi leaves
Sacred thread (kalava or mauli)
Diya, ghee or oil, and incense sticks
Fruits and homemade sweets for naivedya
Food items for charity, such as grains, clothes or amla
Daan and charity on Akshaya Navami
Because the merit of giving is said to be lasting, people donate on this day. Common items are food grains, clothes, fruits, and amla. Feeding the poor, supporting a gaushala or giving to a temple trust are popular ways to take part. Give what you can comfortably afford, since the idea is sincerity and not size.
Akshaya Navami in different states
In Mathura and Vrindavan, thousands of devotees do the parikrama of the twin town on Akshaya Navami. In West Bengal the same day is celebrated as Jagaddhatri Puja, when Goddess Jagaddhatri, a form of Durga, is worshipped. In many North Indian homes it is called Amla Navami and the community meal under the tree is a highlight.
In Maharashtra, Akshaya Navami is observed more quietly than Diwali, but many families who follow the Kartik traditions do worship the amla. Mumbai and Pune residents often visit temple gardens or use a potted amla plant, as large trees are hard to find in cities.
Do's and don'ts
Do worship in the forenoon window and keep the day simple and clean.
Do donate food or clothes if you can.
Do plant an amla sapling if you have space. It is a good way to honour the day.
Don't pluck leaves or fruits from the tree roughly while performing the puja.
Don't make a promise of results from the vrat. Treat it as faith and a good habit, not a guarantee.
Health note about amla
Amla is a popular winter fruit in India and is rich in Vitamin C. You can eat it fresh, as murabba, chutney, pickle or juice. If you have a medical condition or take regular medicines, check with your doctor before adding large amounts to your diet.
What comes next in the Kartik festival season
After Akshaya Navami, the next big date is Dev Uthani Ekadashi on 20 November, followed by Tulsi Vivah and Kartik Purnima on 24 November. See also on IndiaAsk: Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2026 Parana Time in Mumbai: 20 Nov, and Tulsi Vivah 2026 Date, Puja Time and Samagri: 21 Nov.
Timings in this article are as per Drik Panchang for Mumbai. Please check your local panchang or temple priest for the exact time in your city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Akshaya Navami in 2026?
Akshaya Navami 2026 is on Wednesday, 18 November. As per Drik Panchang for Mumbai, the Navami tithi begins at 6:04 AM on 18 November and ends at 7:05 AM on 19 November. The puja is best done in the forenoon, so please confirm your local timing.
What is the Akshaya Navami puja time in Mumbai?
As per Drik Panchang, the Akshaya Navami Purvahna puja time in Mumbai is 6:47 AM to 12:24 PM on 18 November 2026. That is a window of about 5 hours 36 minutes. Other cities may differ by a few minutes, so check your local panchang.
Why is Akshaya Navami also called Amla Navami?
It is called Amla Navami because the amla tree is worshipped on this day. Families offer water, haldi, kumkum and flowers at the tree, tie a sacred thread and often eat a meal under it. The amla is considered sacred and is linked with Lord Vishnu in tradition.
What is the difference between Akshaya Navami and Akshaya Tritiya?
Both are days when charity is believed to give lasting merit. As per Drik Panchang, Akshaya Tritiya marks Treta Yugadi, the start of Treta Yuga, while Akshaya Navami marks Satya Yugadi, the start of Satya Yuga. Akshaya Navami falls in Kartik and Akshaya Tritiya in spring.
What should we donate on Akshaya Navami?
Common donations are food grains, clothes, fruits and amla. Many people also feed the needy or support a gaushala or temple trust. There is no fixed amount. Give what you can comfortably afford, since sincerity matters more than the size of the gift.
Related Articles
Answers
No approved answers yet — you can give the first answer.
Give Your Answer
Discussion
No approved comments yet.