Navratri 2023: How to Worship at Home on Sharadiya Navratri?

Navratri Puja

Navaratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated nine nights and ten days in honor of the goddess Durga. During Navaratri, people perform puja (worship) to the goddess and observe fasts. The festival is also marked by the performance of traditional dance and music. The festival is celebrated in different parts of India and Nepal with various customs and traditions. Navaratri is a time of spiritual devotion, and many people use the festival as an opportunity to reflect on their lives and relationships, and to seek the blessings of the goddess.

How to Pray Maa Gurga

There are many ways to pray to the goddess Durga (also known as Maa Durga or Maa Gurga). Here is one simple method you can use:

1. Find a quiet and clean place to pray. You can create a small altar or sacred space in your home or garden, or you can visit a temple or other place of worship.
2. Prepare some offerings for the goddess. These can include flowers, fruits, and other things that you think the goddess will enjoy.
3. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to help you relax and focus your mind.
4. Begin by chanting the following mantra: "Om Dum Durgayei Namaha" (Om Doo-m Doo-r-gah-yea Nahm-ah-hah). This mantra is used to invoke the energy and blessings of the goddess.
5. Offer your flowers and other offerings to the goddess. You can place them on your altar or in front of a statue or image of the goddess.
6. Spend some time in silent meditation, focusing your thoughts on the goddess and asking for her blessings. You can also recite prayers or sing devotional songs in honor of the goddess.
7. When you are finished, thank the goddess for her blessings and close your prayer session by saying: "Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti" (Om Shahntee, Shahntee, Shahntee), which means "peace, peace, peace."

Remember that there is no "correct" way to pray to the goddess. The most important thing is to approach your prayer with an open heart and a sincere desire to connect with the divine.

Study the idol, photo or painting of Maa Durga

One way to study the idol, photo, or painting of Maa Durga is to look at it closely and observe the details of the image. You may notice that Maa Durga is usually depicted as a beautiful and powerful goddess with ten arms, each of which holds a different weapon. She is usually shown riding a lion or a tiger, which represents her strength and power. You may also notice that she is adorned with jewelry and wearing colorful clothes.

Another way to study the image is to consider the symbolism and meaning behind the various elements of the depiction. For example, the ten arms of Maa Durga represent her power and her ability to defeat evil. The weapons she holds represent the various ways in which she protects and defends her devotees. The lion or tiger represents her strength and courage, and the jewelry and clothes may symbolize her status as a goddess.

You can also learn more about Maa Durga by reading about her in religious texts or by asking a Hindu priest or someone who is knowledgeable about Hinduism. You may also want to attend pujas or other religious events where Maa Durga is being worshipped, as this can provide an opportunity to learn more about the goddess and her significance in Hinduism.

Collect all the requisite items in Maa Durga Puja

Here is a list of items that are typically used in a Maa Durga puja:

1. An idol or image of Maa Durga: This is the main object of worship during the puja. The idol or image can be made of materials such as clay, stone, or metal.
2. Flowers: Fresh flowers are typically used to decorate the altar and to offer to the goddess as a symbol of devotion.
3. Fruits: Fruits are often offered to the goddess as a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
4. Incense: Incense is used to create a pleasant aroma and to purify the air during the puja.
5. A bell: A bell is typically rung during the puja to signify the beginning and end of the ritual.
6. A coconut: A coconut is often placed on the altar as an offering to the goddess. It is believed to represent the ego, which is offered to the goddess as a symbol of surrender.
7. Rice: Rice is often used to decorate the altar and to offer to the goddess as a symbol of prosperity.
8. A diya (oil lamp): A diya is lit during the puja as a symbol of the goddess's presence and to offer light to the deity.
9. A red cloth: A red cloth is often used to cover the altar and to create a sacred space for the puja.
10. Water: Water is used to cleanse the idol or image of the goddess and to offer to the deity as a symbol of purity.
11. Aarti plate: An aarti plate is used to hold the aarti (a lamp or candle) and other offerings during the puja.
12. A puja thali: A puja thali is a plate that is used to hold the various offerings that are made to the goddess during the puja.
13. Akshat (unbroken rice): Akshat is offered to the goddess as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
14. Prasad: Prasad is a blessed food that is offered to the goddess and then distributed to devotees as a symbol of her blessings.

It's important to note that the specific items used in a Maa Durga puja may vary depending on the tradition and the preferences of the person performing the puja.

Place of Maa Durga Puja

Maa Durga puja is typically performed in a temple, a home altar, or at a community event. In a temple, the puja is usually performed by a Hindu priest in front of the idol or image of the goddess. In a home altar, the puja can be performed by a family member or by a priest. In a community event, the puja may be organized by a group of people and may involve the participation of many people.

The altar or puja space should be clean and free of distractions. It should be decorated with flowers and other offerings to the goddess. The idol or image of the goddess should be placed on the altar in a prominent position. The puja should be performed with devotion and respect, and all participants should be dressed modestly and follow the customs and traditions of the puja.

Nav Durga Puja Vidhi

Nav Durga puja is a special puja (worship) that is performed during the festival of Navaratri (nine nights) in honor of the goddess Durga. The puja is performed to invoke the blessings of the goddess and to seek her protection. Here is a general outline of the steps involved in a Nav Durga puja:

1. Choose a clean and peaceful place to perform the puja. This can be a temple, a home altar, or any other suitable location.
2. Gather all the necessary items for the puja. These may include an idol or image of the goddess, flowers, incense, a bell, a coconut, rice, a diya (oil lamp), a red cloth, water, an aarti plate, a puja thali, akshat (unbroken rice), and prasad.
3. Set up the altar or puja space. Place the idol or image of the goddess on the altar and decorate it with flowers and other offerings. Cover the altar with a red cloth.
4. Perform a purification ritual. This may involve the use of water, incense, and other items to purify the puja space and the participants.
5. Chant mantras and perform aarti. Chant mantras and perform aarti (a ritual involving the waving of a lamp or candle) to honor the goddess and invoke her blessings.
6. Offer flowers, fruits, and other items to the goddess. Place these offerings on the altar or in front of the idol or image of the goddess.
7. Perform arati (waving of a lamp or candle). Perform arati by waving a lit lamp or candle in front of the idol or image of the goddess, while singing devotional songs or chanting mantras.
8. Distribute prasad. After the puja is complete, distribute prasad (blessed food) to all the participants as a symbol of the goddess's blessings.

It's important to note that the specific steps and rituals involved in a Nav Durga puja may vary depending on the tradition and the preferences of the person performing the puja.

Maa Durga Puja Mantra

Here is a popular mantra that is often used during Maa Durga puja:

Om Dum Durgayei Namaha

This mantra is used to invoke the energy and blessings of the goddess. It can be repeated silently or aloud, as part of the puja ritual.

Here is the meaning of the mantra:

Om: This is a sacred syllable that is considered to be the sound of the universe. It represents the divine and is believed to have great spiritual power.

Dum: This syllable represents the goddess Durga.

Durgayei: This part of the mantra means "goddess of fortitude."

Namaha: This part of the mantra means "I bow to you."

It is believed that repeating this mantra with devotion and concentration can bring blessings and protection from the goddess. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of any mantra lies in the faith and devotion of the person who repeats it.

Puja Mantra

A puja mantra is a sacred phrase or verse that is recited or chanted during puja (worship) in Hinduism. Mantras are believed to have spiritual power and are used as a means of connecting with the divine and seeking blessings. There are many different puja mantras, each associated with a particular deity or aspect of divinity. Some common puja mantras include:

• Om Namah Shivaya: This mantra is used to honor Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer in Hinduism.
• Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha: This mantra is used to honor Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity.
• Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram: This mantra is used to honor Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu.
• Om Namo Narayanaya: This mantra is used to honor Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe in Hinduism.
• Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Viche: This mantra is used to honor the goddess Durga, the warrior goddess of strength and protection.
• Om Apadamapaha Shatrunam: This mantra is used to invoke the blessings of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Puja mantras can be repeated silently or aloud, and they can be recited in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hinduism, or in other languages. It is believed that the repetition of these mantras with devotion and concentration can bring blessings and spiritual benefits to the person who repeats them.