Puja Vidhi · Goddess Durga (9 forms — Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri)
Navratri Puja
नवरात्रि पूजा
Navratri is a nine-night festival celebrating the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The Ashwin Navratri (Sharad Navratri) is the principal celebration. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to a specific form of the Goddess, with a different colour associated with each day. The observance involves fasting, puja, and the recitation of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) — 700 verses from the Markandeya Purana describing the Goddess's victory over demonic forces.
Puja Samagri (Materials Required)
- ◆Idol or image of Goddess Durga or her nine forms
- ◆Kalash (copper or clay pot) with coconut, mango leaves, red cloth
- ◆Red flowers, hibiscus, marigold, and seasonal flowers
- ◆Durva grass and Bilva (bel) leaves
- ◆Red or orange cloth for altar
- ◆Coconut, banana, and seasonal fruits
- ◆Incense sticks (agarbatti) and camphor (kapoor)
- ◆Ghee for the lamp — a clay diya kept burning throughout the 9 nights
- ◆Kumkum (vermillion), turmeric, sindoor
- ◆Navratri prasad: puri, halwa, chana (on Ashtami); regional variations apply
Step-by-Step Vidhi
- 1
On Pratipada (Day 1): Perform Kalash Sthapana — set up the ritual pot with water, mango leaves, and a coconut. Invoke Goddess Shailputri and light the 9-night lamp
- 2
Day 1: Worship Shailputri (red colour). Day 2: Brahmacharini (royal blue). Day 3: Chandraghanta (yellow)
- 3
Day 4: Kushmanda (green). Day 5: Skandamata (grey). Day 6: Katyayani (orange)
- 4
Day 7: Kaalratri (white). Day 8 (Ashtami): Mahagauri (pink). Day 9 (Navami): Siddhidatri (purple/sky blue)
- 5
Each day: offer flowers, light incense and diya, chant the specific mantra for that day's form, and recite or listen to the Durga Chalisa or the relevant chapter of Durga Saptashati
- 6
On Ashtami or Navami: Perform Kanya Puja (worship of young girls as forms of the Goddess). Offer food, gifts, and wash their feet in the traditional form
- 7
Perform Havan (fire ritual) if completing the full Navratri anusthan
- 8
Visarjan: on Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra), conclude with prayers and symbolic immersion
Main Mantra
Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Chant 108 times during the puja
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Navratri puja vidhi (procedure) at home?
Navratri puja at home begins with Kalash Sthapana on Pratipada, installing a copper or clay pot as the seat of the Goddess. A diya (lamp) is lit and kept burning for all 9 days. Each day is dedicated to a specific form of the Goddess, with associated colours and mantras. The Durga Saptashati, Durga Chalisa, or the Aarti can be recited daily. On Ashtami or Navami, Kanya Puja is performed, worshipping young girls as manifestations of the Goddess.
How do you fast during Navratri?
The traditional Navratri fast (vrat) allows fruits, milk products, sendha namak (rock salt), nuts, sweet potatoes, and buckwheat (kuttu) flour preparations. Rice, regular salt, onion, garlic, meat, and alcohol are avoided. Some people fast for all 9 days; others fast on just the first, Ashtami, and Navami. Breaking the fast is called parana and is done after Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami.
Which Navratri is more important — Ashwin or Chaitra?
The Ashwin Navratri (Sharad Navratri, September–October) is generally considered the principal one and is the most widely observed across India. The Chaitra Navratri (March–April) is also significant, particularly in North India where it celebrates the birth of Rama (Ram Navami falls on its ninth day). Both are spiritually significant; the Ashwin Navratri is more prominent culturally.
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