Lalitha panchami, also spelt as Lalita Panjami, is the most auspicious day in Durga Navratri puja. Lalitha Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Durga Navaratri. On this day, devotees worship Mata Lalitha Devi, a powerful manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. Goddess Lalita Devi is a form of Goddess Shakti incarnated to demolish the demon – Bhandasura. Bhandasura was a demon created from the ashes of Kama or Manmatha (Manmadha).

Importance and rituals of Lalita Panchami:

Lalita Panchami is the birthday or Jayanti of Goddess Lalitha. Lalita Panchami is observed on Ashwin Shukla Panchami, the fifth day during bright fortnight in Ashwayuja masam.

On Lalita Panchami, Goddess Upang Lalita is worshipped in some places of India. In South Indian states, Goddess Lalitha Tripura Sundari devi is worshipped on Lalitha Panchami. In some other places, Chinnamasta devi is worshipped on the fifth day during Durga Pooja.

Durga Devi Sharan Navratri Puja is celebrated in Ashwayuja masam (Ashwin month) which usually falls in September or October months. Durga Navratri starts on Ashwayuja Shukla paksha Padyami with Kalash Sthapana and ends on Ashwayuja Shukla Dashami (Vijaya Dashami or Dasara).

Dates of Durga Navratri Puja in 2009:

First Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Kalasha Sthapana (Ghatasthapana) – Prathami Puja or Padyami Puja – Installation of earthen pot – Ashwayuja Shukla Padyami (Ashwin masa Shudda Prathami) – September 19, Saturday.

Second Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Preethi Dwitiya (Preeti Vidiya) – Ashwayuja Shudda Dwitiya -   September 20, Sunday.

Third Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Sthana Vriddhi Gauri Vrata – Ashwin Masa Shudda Tritiya (Aswayuja Shukla Thadiya) – September 21, Monday.

Fourth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Bhouma Chaturthi – Ashwin Masa Shudda Chaturthi (Ashwayuja Shukla Chavithi) – September 22, Tuesday.

Fifth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Upang Lalitha Gauri Vrata (Sri Lalitha Panchami or Maha Panchami) – Ashwin Shudda Panchami – Septemeber 23, Wednesday.

Sixth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Maha Sashti – Ashwin Shudda Sashti – Ashwin Shudda Sashti – September 24, Thursday.

Seventh Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Maha Saptami – Ashwin Shudda Saptami – Triratra Vrata Aarambha Utsava Puja (Trirathrotsavam) – September 25, Friday.

Eighth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Durga Ashtami (Maha Astami) – Ashwin Shudda Astami – Sri Maha Durga Puja – Bathukamma Festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh – Goddess Saraswati Mata Puja – September 26, Saturday.

Ninth Day of Durga Navratri, 2009 – Maharnavami Puja (Maha Navami) – Suhasini Puja – Ayudha Puja – Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja – Ashwin Shudda Navami – September 27, Sunday.

Tenth Day of Durga Navratri, 2009 – Vijaya Dashami (Dussera / Dasara / Dussehra) – Mahishasura Vadha – Ashwin Shudda Dashami – September 28, Monday.

In some regions, Goddess Durga idol immersion (Durga Nimajjan or Durga Visarjan) is held on the day of Viajaya Dashami.