Nom is the ninth day of Navratri and the last night of garba. The dancing goes on longest tonight, and ends with the garbo being carried to a temple or immersed. Households offer naivedya to their family goddess. At Rupal near Gandhinagar it is the night of the Palli: a wooden frame carrying five flames is taken through the village, and devotees pour ghee over it by the tin, until it runs in the lanes.
The story
The Palli of Vardayini Mata is linked to the Pandavas, who are said to have made the first one of gold after their exile. The ghee offered is counted in lakhs of kilos.
The songs of Navratri are a literature of their own. Many are addressed to the goddess of Pavagadh, said to have come down from her hill to dance among the women of Champaner.
મા પાવા તે ગઢથી ઊતર્યાં, મહાકાળી રે
The Mother has come down from the fort of Pava: Mahakali
A garba sung across Gujarat
How it is kept
- NaivedyaThe year's offering to the kuldevi, often at the ancestral village.
- The last garbaUntil morning, with every favourite sung once more.
- PalliAt Rupal, the night-long procession and the offering of ghee.
- Visarjan of the garboThe pot is taken to a temple or to water.
Why this date
Nom is the Navami of the bright half of Aso, on the day it prevails in the afternoon.
Navratri Nom in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday |
More Gujarati festivals
19 OctoberNavratri and Athamનવરાત્રી · આઠમ
20 OctoberDussehraદશેરા
8 NovemberDiwaliદિવાળી
14 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiગણેશ ચતુર્થી
29 OctoberKarva Chauthકરવા ચોથ
4 SeptemberJanmashtamiજન્માષ્ટમી
Where to see Navratri Nom
In Gujarat
- RupalGujaratThe Palli of Vardayini Mata, on Navami night.
- VadodaraGujaratThe closing night at the great garba grounds.
- Champaner-PavagadhGujaratThe World Heritage city below the goddess's hill.
Across India
- MysuruKarnatakaAyudha Puja at the palace, the day before the procession.
- KolkataWest BengalThe last night of Durga Puja, with the dhunuchi dance.
- VaranasiUttar PradeshThe Ramlila of Ramnagar nears its end.