Navratri Pooja at Home in 7 Easy Steps

Navratri is one of the most popular religious festivals in India.

It means ‘nine nights’ and honors Goddess Durga in her 9 forms.

In Kolkata, Navratri is called Durga Pooja.

During Navratri, people observe fast and perform many rituals.

Many perform Navratri Pooja at home.

Here, we have described 7 easy steps to do this Pooja at your home.

Navaratri: Ultimate Nine Nights of The Goddess

Pooja Samagri

•  Idol/picture of Goddess Durga
• Sari or a red dupatta to offer Goddess Durga
• Panjika, a sacred Hindu book
• Coconut
• Sandalwood
• Fresh mango leaves (washed clean)
• Paan
• Supari
• Ganga jal 
• Roli, (a red powder)
• Cardamom
• Incense sticks
• Cloves
• Fruits
• Sweets
• Fresh flowers to offer Durga
• Gulal
• Vermilion
• Raw rice
• Moli, a sacred red thread
• Grass

7 Steps to do Navratri Pooja

Step 1: Ghata Sthapana (Installing the deity)

The first step is to install the Durga idol on a chowki. Keep a clay plot (Kalash) with sown barley near it. This marks the start of the Pooja.

Step 2: Establish the Kalash

Next, pour holy water (Gangajal) into the pot and put flowers, mango leaves, and coins in it. Use a lid to close it and then put raw rice on the top. Also, place a coconut wrapped in the red sari/dupatta on its mouth.

Step 3: Worship of Goddess Durga

Light a diya in front of the deity. Worship the Kalash or pot with Panchopchar, which means offering worship to the deity with five things - scent, flower, deepak, incense stick, and Naivedya.

Step 4: Chowki Sthapana

This step is about invoking Goddess Durga. Spread the roli on the chowki and tie the Moli across and around it. Then, keep the idol of Goddess Durga on the chowki.

Step 5: Navratri Pooja

During the Pooja, one should chant prayers and invoke Durga. Devotees believe that the goddess visits their home and blesses their family. Offer flowers, bhog, diya, fruits, etc., to the deity during the Pooja.

Step 6: Offering Aarti

Decorate a plate/ thali with all the decoration items. With the thali in one hand and a bell in the other hand, sing the aarti song, sound the bells, and invoke Durga’s blessings.

Step 7: Kanya Pooja

On the 9th or last day of Navratri, invite 9 girls aged around 5 to 12, and offer them delicious food. They represent Goddesses, and the ritual is called Kanya Pooja. Get their blessings and send them off with gifts