Paush Navratri /  Shakambari Navratri 

In 2017 – 6-Jan to 12-Jan

2018 – It begins on 26-Dec-2017 and ends on 2 Jan-2018

Paush Navratri or the Shakambari Navratri is a festival dedicated to Goddess Shakambhari Mata. She is regarded as the bearer of greens or the Goddess who feeds the hungry with vegetables. Shakambari Navratri begins on Paush Shukla Ashtami also known as known as Banada Ashtami or Banadashtami and ends on Paush Purnima which is also known as Shakambari Purnima. Shakambari Purnima is also known as Shakambari Jayanti as it is believed that Devi Shakambari was incarnated on the very same day.

The Paush Navratri occasion starts on Shukla Pratipada except, Shakambari Navratri which begins on Ashtami and ends on Purnima. Hence Shakambari Navratri spans for total eight days. However in some years due to skipped Tithi and leapt it is possible that it be spread over seven and nine days respectively.

Shakambari Mata is an incarnation of Devi Bhagwati. It is believed that Devi Bhagwati incarnated as Shakambari to mitigate famine and severe food crisis on the Earth. She is also known as Goddess of vegetables, fruits and green leaves and depicted with green surroundings of fruits and vegetables.

Shakambari Navratri is popular in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and certain parts of Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, Shakambari Devi is known as Banashankari Devi and Banada Ashtami is an important day during Navratri.