Ninth Day of Pitrupaksha, Ninth Day of Mahalaya Paksha, Ninth Day of Shraddha, Navami Shraddha, Naumi Shraddha, Matra Navami, Avidhava Shraddha, Avidhava Navami, Matra Shraddha
Navami Shraddha is observed on the Navami thithi of the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month or the ninth day of the waning phase of the moon of the month of Bhadrapada as per the lunar calendar.According to North Indian Purnimant Calenders, Navami Shraddha falls in the month of Ashwin.
Navami Shraddha is the ninth day of the 15 day long Mahalaya Paksha. These 15 dats of Mahalya Paksha are considered as sacred and most important days to pay respects to the dead ancestors by the way of performing Shraddha to them.
Shraddha for the ancestors who died on the Navami thithi irrespective of the Paksha is performed on Navami Shraddha or Naumi Shraddha. Shraddha for the women who died before their husbands died is to be performed on Navami or Naumi Shraddha. The thithi on which such women died is of no importance for performing the Shraddha on this day. Shraddha for such women can also be performed on the thithi that they died. Navami Shraddha is only a addition to the normal Shraddha. Hence this Navami or Naumi Shraddha is also known as Avidhava Shraddha. Avidhava is a Sanskrit word, which means Vidhava is a widow and Avidhava is the opposite of widow that is a woman whose husband is still alive.
Navami Shraddha is also the day to perform Shraddha to Mother. Hence Naumi Shraddha is also known as Matra Navami.Tarpan and Pinda Daan are done as per the ritual of Shraddha. Lunch during the ritual of Shraddha has to be done during the Aparahana time. The Pindas can be immersed in a river or fed to a cow.
