Friday, March 20, 2026
Nine nights of worship dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga in the spring season. Begins with Ghatasthapana (installation of the sacred pot) and culminates in Ram Navami. Devotees fast, perform Durga Puja, and recite the Durga Saptashati.
Dedicated to Goddess Durga (Shailaputri on Day 1)
On the morning of Pratipada, fill a wide clay pot with fresh mud and spread barley seeds evenly across. Lightly water the soil. This bed will be the Jayanti — the sprouts rising over nine days symbolise Durga's abundance.
Sit facing east. With water and flowers in your right hand, take the Sankalp — dedicating nine days of fasting and worship to Goddess Durga. State your intention clearly: which form of the goddess you wish to invoke and what you pray for.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। अद्य आश्विन शुक्ल प्रतिपदा तिथौ शारदीय नवरात्रि पूजनम् करिष्ये।
Place a kalash at the center of the barley pot. Fill it with Gangajal, a coin, akshat, supari, and five types of leaves. Insert five mango leaves at the rim and top with a coconut wrapped in red cloth. Tie moli around the kalash. Invoke all holy rivers into the water.
गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु॥
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva, flowers, and akshat to ensure the nine-day vrat is free of obstacles.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke Goddess Durga (specifically Shailaputri for Day 1) into the idol and the kalash. Offer the Shodashopachara — sixteen items of worship. Drape the idol in the red chunari and adorn with red flowers, jewellery, and kumkum.
ॐ शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥ (Day 1) — or ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः॥
Light the Akhand Jyoti — a ghee lamp that must burn uninterrupted for all nine days. Place it at the right of the goddess. Refill ghee periodically. The unbroken flame is a symbol of the unbroken devotion of the Sadhaka.
Begin recitation of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) — 700 verses from the Markandeya Purana. Chapter 1 is read on Day 1. Alternatively, recite 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu' and the Navarna Mantra.
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥
Offer fruits, sweets, and kheer as naivedya. Perform the Durga Aarti with camphor and sing 'Jai Ambe Gauri'. Ring the bell throughout the aarti.
जय अम्बे गौरी मैया जय श्यामा गौरी। तुम को निशदिन ध्यावत हरी ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Offer a handful of red flowers as pushpanjali and ask for forgiveness for any errors in the ritual. Prostrate before the goddess (Sashtanga Pranam).
For the next nine days, water the jau pot each morning, light incense, and repeat a short form of this puja — invoking the appropriate Navadurga form of the day. The kalash and akhand jyoti are dismantled only on Dashami after Visarjan.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.