The second day of Navratri, Monday, 12 October 2026, is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini. Her bhog today is sugar or sugar candy, and those reading the Saptashati in its seven-day order read Chapter 2 (The Slaying of Mahishasura's Army), Chapter 3 (The Slaying of Mahishasura and His Generals).
Today's panchang
- Tithi
- Shukla Dwitiya, until 10:13 PM
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:20 AM / 5:54 PM
- Abhijit Muhurat
- 11:44 AM to 12:30 PM
- Rahu Kaal
- 7:46 to 9:13 AM
The puja is best done in the morning, after sunrise. By tradition no new auspicious work is begun in Rahu Kaal (7:46 to 9:13 AM), while the Abhijit Muhurat is considered the most auspicious window of the day.
Who is Maa Brahmacharini?
Brahmacharini is Parvati in the form of the ascetic. To win Shiva as her husband she performed severe tapasya for thousands of years, living first on fruit, then on leaves alone, and finally giving up even leaves, which is why she is also called Aparna. She is worshipped for patience, self-discipline and the strength to stay on one's path.
In her name, 'brahma' means tapasya and 'charini' one who practises it: the Goddess who lives by austerity. Her story teaches patience, staying with one goal for years without worrying about the reward. That is why students and anyone taking on a hard vow worship her especially on this day. The japa mala in her hand stands for practice and the kamandal for renunciation, and her worship is believed to ease troubles linked to Mars.
- Mount
- No mount; she walks barefoot
- Form
- Two hands, a japa mala in the right and a kamandal in the left
- Bhog
- Sugar or sugar candy
- Favourite flower
- Jasmine
- Planet (belief)
- Mars (Mangal)
How to worship today
After the morning bath, worship the kalash and the akhand jyoti, then meditate on Maa Brahmacharini with the prayer below. Offer her jasmine and sugar or sugar candy as bhog, chant her mantra at least 108 times, recite the stuti and perform the aarti in the evening. Those keeping the fast take only fruit and permitted foods during the day.
Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥
दधाना कर पद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू।देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Today's Durga Saptashati reading
If you are reading the Saptashati in its seven-day order, today's portion is Chapter 2 (The Slaying of Mahishasura's Army), Chapter 3 (The Slaying of Mahishasura and His Generals). Read them after the Kavach, Argala and Keelakam.
Chapter 2 opens the Middle Charitra, presided over by Mahalakshmi. Defeated by Mahishasura, the gods go with Brahma to Shiva and Vishnu, and from the blazing anger of all the gods a Goddess takes form. The gods give her their weapons and ornaments, and she destroys Mahishasura's vast army. In Chapter 3, after generals such as Chikshura, Chamara and Bidala fall, she slays Mahishasura himself, who fights in turn as a buffalo, a lion, a man and an elephant.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Tuesday, 13 October 2026, is the third day of Navratri, when Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped with a bhog of milk and milk-based dishes. In the seven-day order, tomorrow's reading is Chapter 4.
Dates and times checked against Drik Panchang and our own panchang, for New Delhi.
