Durga Puja Vidhi at Home
दुर्गा पूजा विधि
Goddess Durga is the supreme Mother (Adi Shakti) who destroys evil and protects her devotees. This is the complete step-by-step guide for performing Durga Puja at home — for daily worship, the nine days of Navratri, or Durga Ashtami. Follow this vidhi for an authentic and powerful Durga puja that invokes the Mother's protection and blessings.
Puja Samagri (Materials Required)
Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi
Purification (Shuddhikaran)
Bathe and wear clean clothes (red is auspicious). Clean the altar and sprinkle Ganga Jal on yourself and the space. Face East or North.
Ganesh Vandana
Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha — chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" — so the puja proceeds without obstacles.
Kalash Sthapana (Ghatasthapana)
On the first day of Navratri, install the Kalash with water, place mango leaves and a coconut on top, and sow barley seeds (Jayanti) around it. This invites the Mother's energy.
Durga Avahana
Place the Durga idol on the red cloth. Apply kumkum tilak, offer the red chunri, and invoke the Goddess with "Om Dum Durgayai Namah", offering akshata.
Panchamrit Snan & Shringar
Bathe the idol with Panchamrit and water, dry it, and offer the 16 shringar (adornments) — bangles, bindi, sindoor — to the Mother, along with red flowers.
Akhand Jyoti
Light the Akhand Jyoti (a continuous ghee lamp kept burning through all nine days of Navratri) to the right of the Goddess.
Naivedya (Offerings)
Offer fruits, coconut, halwa, kheer and sweets. During Navratri, offer the day's specific bhog (e.g. kheer, malpua, halwa-puri-chana on Ashtami for Kanya Pujan).
Mantra Japa & Path
Chant the Navarna Mantra "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche" 108 times. Recite the Durga Chalisa and the Durga Kavach. On the main days, read the Durga Saptashati or Siddha Kunjika Stotram.
Durga Aarti
Perform the Durga Aarti — "Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri" — with camphor, rotating the lamp clockwise.
Kanya Pujan & Prarthana
On Ashtami/Navami, worship nine young girls (Kanya Pujan) as forms of the Goddess, washing their feet and offering food and gifts. Conclude with a prayer for protection and the family's welfare.
Mantras for Goddess Durga Puja
Important Tips
Red is Maa Durga's favourite colour — use red flowers (hibiscus), red cloth and a red chunri.
Never let the Akhand Jyoti go out during Navratri — keep adding ghee; it represents the Mother's continuous presence.
Offer hibiscus (jaswand) above all flowers — it is most beloved to Durga. Avoid aak and madar flowers.
Kanya Pujan (worship of nine girls) on Ashtami or Navami is considered the fruit-bearing climax of Navratri.