Maa Durga Puja VidhiEveryday and Friday Worship at Home

The Mother who protects

Durga is the Devi in her protecting, victorious form, riding a lion and holding the weapons the gods gave her. Her home worship is that of a mother being welcomed: she is offered a red chunri, the shringar of a married woman, red flowers and a lamp, and her name is sung. This vidhi is for regular worship; for the nine days of Navratri, with kalash sthapana and kanya pujan, see the complete Navratri puja guide.

When to do it

• Fridays and Tuesdays, in the morning or at dusk.
• Ashtami of each month (Masik Durgashtami).
• Both Navratris, Chaitra and Shardiya, and Vijayadashami.

What you will need

• A picture or murti of Maa Durga
• A red chunri and shringar items: sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehendi, kajal
• Red flowers, especially hibiscus, and a garland
• Kumkum, akshat, a coconut
• A ghee lamp (an akhand jyoti during Navratri), incense, camphor
• Naivedya: halwa, puri and chana, kheer, or fruit

Step by step

1. Prepare. Bathe, wear clean clothes (red is traditional), and sit facing east or north.
2. Ganesh first. Offer a flower to Ganesha.
3. Sankalpa. With water, akshat and a flower in your right hand, state your name and prayer, then let the water fall.
4. Invite. Sprinkle a little Gangajal and invite the Mother to be present.
5. Shringar. Apply kumkum, offer sindoor, drape the red chunri, and place the shringar items before her.
6. Flowers. Offer red flowers and the garland, then akshat.
7. Lamp and incense. Light the lamp and show incense.
8. Bhog. Offer the naivedya and the coconut.
9. Mantra. Chant the Navarna mantra or the Durga Gayatri Mantra 108 times.
10. Path. Recite the Durga Saptashloki, the Durga Kavach or the Durga Chalisa. For the full text, read from the Durga Saptashati.
11. Aarti. Sing Jai Ambe Gauri with camphor and bell.
12. Close. Ask forgiveness, bow, and share the prasad.

Things to keep in mind

• Red is the Mother's colour: red flowers, a red chunri and red clothes are traditional.
• On Navratri and Ashtami, many households honour young girls as living forms of the Devi (kanya pujan), washing their feet and feeding them halwa, puri and chana.
• If you light an akhand jyoti during Navratri, someone must tend it so it does not go out for the nine days.

Frequently asked questions

Which day is best for Durga puja?

Friday and Tuesday for regular worship, Ashtami each month, and above all the two Navratris.

Which mantra is chanted for Maa Durga?

The Navarna mantra is the central Durga mantra; the Durga Gayatri Mantra is also widely chanted.

What is offered to Maa Durga?

A red chunri and shringar items, red flowers (hibiscus especially), a coconut, and halwa, puri and chana or kheer as bhog.