Durga Puja Vidhi (दुर्गा पूजा विधि)
How to worship Maa Durga at home: materials, steps, mantras, chalisa-aarti and the rules for Ashtami-Navami puja.
When to do it
- Navratri
- Every Tuesday or Friday (as per faith)
- Ashtami and Navami
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Install the Goddess
Place Maa Durga’s picture or idol on a red cloth on the seat.
Invocation
Invoke the Mother and offer her a seat.
Adornment and chunari
Offer chunari, sindoor, bindi and suhag items.
Flowers and bhog
Offer red flowers, then coconut, fruit and halwa-chana as bhog.
Recitation
Recite the Durga Chalisa or selected chapters of the Durga Saptashati.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Respect girls
- Stay sattvic
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Avoid tamasic food during Navratri
- Stay away from disputes and anger
Common mistakes
- Reading the text in a hurry without attention to pronunciation
- Treating Kanya Bhoj as a mere formality
Auspicious muhurat
Check the date and puja time of Ashtami-Navami in your city’s panchang.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
Which colour is auspicious in Durga puja?
Can the Saptashati be recited at home?
How many girls should be invited for Kanya Puja?
What bhog should be offered to the Goddess?
Can Durga puja be done on Friday?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.