Maha Saptami is celebrated on the seventh day of the waxing moon in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, which falls on October 29 this year. This festival is observed in India as part of the larger Durga Puja celebration, which lasts for ten days and honors the goddess Durga and her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. The Maha Puja, or Great Ceremony, begins on Maha Saptami, marking the start of significant rituals. Traditional customs include the Navapatrika ritual, where nine plants are bathed in the River Ganges, and the Mahasnan, where a mirror is treated as the personification of Goddess Durga. Additionally, the Prana Prathishta ritual involves placing a pot filled with holy water before the goddess's idol, accompanied by divine hymns. These rituals reflect the deep devotion and cultural significance of the festival in Hindu traditions.