Navratri Pooja: A Comprehensive Guide
Navratri Pooja: Celebrating the Divine Feminine
A guide to performing Navratri Pooja, a nine-night festival dedicated to the Divine Feminine.
The Purpose of the Pooja
Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms. The Pooja is performed to seek her blessings for strength, protection, and overall well-being.
Items Required
- Durga idol or image
- A raised platform
- Red cloth
- Clay pot (for Ghatasthapana)
- Barley seeds
- Water
- Kalash (copper or earthen pot)
- Mango leaves
- Coconut
- Flowers (especially red flowers)
- Incense sticks
- Ghee lamp
- Fruits
- Sweets
The Pooja Procedure
- Ghatasthapana: Establish the Ghat (clay pot) on the first day of Navratri. Fill the pot with soil and sow barley seeds. Place a Kalash filled with water on top of the pot, along with mango leaves and a coconut.
- Durga Pooja: Worship Goddess Durga in her nine forms (Navadurga) over the nine nights. Offer flowers, incense, and light a ghee lamp.
- Chandi Path: Recite the Chandi Path, a sacred text dedicated to Goddess Durga.
- Offerings: Offer fruits and sweets to the Goddess.
- Aarti: Perform the Durga Aarti with a ghee lamp, singing devotional songs dedicated to Goddess Durga.
- Kanya Pooja: On the eighth or ninth day, perform Kanya Pooja by worshipping young girls as embodiments of the Goddess.
- Distribution: Distribute the prasad (blessed food) to everyone.
Durga Mantra
Mantra: Om Dum Durgaye Namaha
Transliteration: Om Dum Durgaye Namaha
Breakdown:
- Om: The primordial sound.
- Dum: The seed mantra for Durga.
- Durgaye: To Durga.
- Namaha: Salutations.
Meaning: "Om. Salutations to Goddess Durga."
Deity: Goddess Durga.
Origin Story: Navratri celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
How and When to Chant: This mantra can be chanted daily, especially during Navratri. Chant with devotion and a clear intention to connect with the Divine Feminine.
Benefits: Chanting this mantra and performing the Navratri Pooja is believed to bring strength, protection, courage, and the blessings of Goddess Durga.