How to Perform Navratri Puja?

As the autumn breeze gently whispers through the air, we find ourselves eagerly anticipating the arrival of Navratri, a nine-night festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Navratri, which translates to 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, is a time of deep devotion, vibrant celebrations, and spiritual rejuvenation.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the magic of Navratri? In this blog post, we will guide you through the Navratri puja vidhi, the traditional ritualistic practices that will help you connect with the divine energy and experience the true essence of this auspicious festival.

Ghatasthapana Vidhi

At the heart of Navratri lies the ritual of Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalashsthapana. This sacred ritual involves the establishment of a Kalash, a brass or clay pot filled with holy water and adorned with mango leaves and a coconut. Here's how you can perform the Ghatasthapana puja vidhi:

1. Choose an auspicious time for Ghatasthapana, usually during the Pratipada Tithi of the Navratri.
2. Cleanse the area where the Kalash will be placed and decorate it with fresh flowers and rangoli.
3. Fill the Kalash with holy water and add barley seeds or wheat grains to symbolize fertility and abundance.
4. Place a coconut on the mouth of the Kalash, wrapped in a red cloth.
5. Perform the puja by offering flowers, incense sticks, and prayers to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga.
6. Light a lamp near the Kalash and offer your heartfelt prayers to the divine.

By following these simple steps, you have successfully performed the Ghatasthapana puja vidhi, marking the beginning of Navratri and inviting the divine energy into your home.

Durga Puja Vidhi

During the nine nights of Navratri, devotees engage in the worship of Goddess Durga, seeking her blessings and protection. The Durga Puja vidhi is a comprehensive set of rituals that involve sixteen steps, known as Shodashopachara Durga Puja Vidhi. Let's explore these steps:

1. Dhyana and Avahana: Begin by meditating on the divine form of Goddess Durga and invite her presence into the idol or image.
2. Asana: Offer a seat to Goddess Durga, signifying her arrival and your reverence.
3. Padya Prakshalana: Welcome the goddess by washing her feet with water, symbolizing purity and humility.
4. Arghya Samarpan: Offer water to the goddess as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
5. Achamana Samarpan: Offer water for the goddess to rinse her mouth, symbolizing the purification of thoughts and speech.
6. Snana: Bathe the goddess with holy water, milk, curd, honey, and ghee, followed by water again.
7. Vastra: Adorn the goddess with new clothes, symbolizing a fresh start and divine beauty.
8. Abhushana Samarpan: Offer jewelry and accessories to Goddess Durga, signifying her grace and glory.
9. Chandan Samarpan: Apply sandalwood paste on the forehead of the goddess, representing purity and coolness.
10. Roli Samarpan: Offer vermilion to the goddess, symbolizing auspiciousness and marital bliss.
11. Kajjalarpan: Apply kajal or black eyeliner to the goddess, enhancing her beauty and protecting from evil forces.
12. Mangal Dravyarpana: Offer sacred items like betel leaves, betel nuts, and cloves to the goddess, signifying auspiciousness and divine blessings.
13. Saubhagya Sutra: Tie a sacred thread around the wrist of the goddess, seeking blessings for a prosperous life.
14. Sugandhita Dravya: Offer fragrant substances like incense sticks and scented oils to fill the air with divine fragrance.
15. Haridra Samarpan: Apply turmeric paste on the idol or image of the goddess, representing purity and auspiciousness.
16. Akshata Samarpan: Offer rice grains to the goddess, symbolizing abundance and fertility.
17. Pushpanjali: Offer a beautiful bouquet of flowers to the goddess as a gesture of love and devotion.
18. Bilvapatra: Offer sacred leaves of the Bilva tree to the goddess, known for their significance in Hindu mythology.
19. Dhoop Samarpan: Light incense sticks and wave them in front of the goddess, spreading divine fragrance and purifying the environment.
20. Deep Samarpan: Light a ghee lamp and offer it to the goddess, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the arrival of light.
21. Naivedya: Offer delicious food items, fruits, and sweets to the goddess, seeking her blessings for a bountiful life.
22. Rituphala: Offer betel nuts and leaves to the goddess, symbolizing longevity and fulfillment of desires.
23. Achamana: Offer water for the goddess to drink, completing the ritualistic worship.
24. Narikela Samarpan: Offer coconuts to the goddess, a symbol of divine consciousness and purity.
25. Tambula: Offer betel leaves, betel nuts, and other ingredients for chewing to the goddess, signifying auspiciousness and good luck.
26. Dakshina: Offer monetary donations to the goddess, expressing gratitude and seeking blessings.
27. Pustak Puja and Kanya Pujan: Perform the ritual of worshiping books and young girls, representing the embodiment of goddess energy.
28. Nirajan: Wave a lit lamp in front of the goddess, bidding farewell to her divine presence.
29. Pradakshina: Circumambulate around the idol or image of the goddess, symbolizing devotion and surrender.
30. Kshamapan: Seek forgiveness from the goddess for any mistakes or shortcomings during the puja.

By following these sixteen steps of Durga Puja vidhi, you can deepen your connection with Goddess Durga and experience her divine blessings during Navratri.