Third day of Navratri Saraswati Puja (Uttara Ashadha); naivedya bali and havan offered

Saraswati Balidan is the third of the four days of Saraswati worship within Sharad Navratri, performed when the Moon is in Uttara Ashadha nakshatra, following the Avahan on Moola and the main Puja on Purva Ashadha. Here balidan means bali — the ritual offering of food and oblation — not animal sacrifice: cooked rice, curd, flowers and sweets are offered to the Goddess and her attendant powers, often with a havan in which ghee and samagri are offered into the fire with Saraswati mantras. It is the day on which the worship of the books and instruments consecrated at the Avahan reaches its fullness, before they are returned to use on the day of Visarjan. Uttara Ashadha is the star of final, unconquerable victory, and devotees pray that the knowledge they have received take firm root and bear fruit. In many South Indian homes and temples the Navratri golu is at its most elaborate on these days, with evening gatherings, music and the exchange of tambulam among women.

A satvik diet is kept; many are also keeping the Navratri fast.