Instructions are translated from the Hindi workbook; shlokas are chanted in Sanskrit.
🔥 Fire safety: take care when lighting a diya, camphor, incense or the havan fire. Children should take part only under adult supervision. Never leave a flame unattended, keep water nearby, and keep curtains, cloth and paper away. Perform the havan in an open or well-ventilated place.
2-second pause after each shloka · pause, go back or skip at any time
1. Pavitrikaranam
Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gato'pi Va |
Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih ||
Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu ||
Pure or impure, in whatever state — whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord becomes pure within and without. May the lotus-eyed Lord purify us.
Take water in the left hand and, with the fingers of the right hand, sprinkle it over yourself, the seat and the puja items.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water
2. Achamanam
Om Keshavaya Namah | Om Narayanaya Namah | Om Madhavaya Namah ||
Om Hrishikeshaya Namah | Hastam Prakshalayami ||
Sipping water thrice with salutations to Keshava, Narayana and Madhava for inner purity; hands are washed with Hrishikesha's name.
Take a little water in the right palm (gokarna mudra) and sip it three times, once with each name; then say 'Hrishikeshaya Namah' and wash your hands.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
3. Asana Shuddhi
Om Prithvi Tvaya Dhrita Loka Devi Tvam Vishnuna Dhrita |
Tvam Cha Dharaya Mam Devi Pavitram Kuru Chasanam ||
Om Asanadevatayai Namah ||
O Mother Earth, you uphold the worlds and are upheld by Vishnu; uphold me too and sanctify my seat.
Sprinkle a little water on the ground under the seat and recite the mantra while touching the seat.
Samagri: Seat (kusha grass or wool), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
4. Deepa Prajvalanam
Shubham Karoti Kalyanamarogyam Dhanasampada |
Shatrubuddhivinashaya Dipajyotirnamo'stu Te ||
Om Dipajyotishe Namah ||
Salutations to the lamp's flame, which brings auspiciousness, well-being, health and wealth, and destroys hostile thoughts.
Light the ghee lamp and place it to the deity's right (your left); an oil lamp goes to the deity's left. Bow to the lamp.
Say the words in ( ) — the Panchang and your gotra — yourself; ▶ Listen to sankalp asks you for them. Your name and city come from your profile.
I (name, gotra), at this time and place, resolve to perform this puja for the stated purpose.
Take water, akshat, flowers and dakshina in the right hand and read the sankalp (the app fills in your town, tithi, name and gotra); at the end, release the water onto the ground or into a copper plate.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, dakshina (coin/money)
6. Ganesha Smaranam
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||
O curved-trunked, mighty Lord, radiant as a million suns — make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.
Before any puja, meditate on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and offer akshat and flowers. (In Ganesha Puja this step is part of the main worship.)
Om Kalaratryai Namah | Dipam Darshayami | Hastaprakshalanam ||
A lamp of ghee and wick, lit with fire, that dispels the darkness of the three worlds — please accept.
Show the ghee lamp to the deity, then wash your hands.
Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick
23. Naivedyam
Sharkarakhandakhadyani Dadhikshiraghritani Cha |
Aharam Bhakshyabhojyam Cha Naivedyam Pratigrihyatam ||
Om Pranaya Svaha | Om Apanaya Svaha | Om Vyanaya Svaha | Om Udanaya Svaha | Om Samanaya Svaha ||
Om Kalaratryai Namah | Naivedyam Nivedayami ||
Accept this food offering of sugar, sweets, curd, milk, ghee and dishes. It is offered to the five vital breaths.
Place the plate of bhog before the deity and circle it with water (for Vishnu, Krishna and Rama, place a tulsi leaf on it), then recite the pancha-pranahuti mantra.
Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
24. Dakshina
Hiranyagarbhagarbhastham Hemabijam Vibhavasoh |
Anantapunyaphaladamatah Shantim Prayachchha Me ||
Om Kalaratryai Namah | Dakshinam Samarpayami ||
This offering of gold — seed of fire, born of the cosmic golden womb, giver of endless merit — grant me peace.
Place a coin/money before the deity as dakshina.
Samagri: Dakshina (coin/money)
25. Mantra Japa
Om Kalaratryai Namah
Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vichche
Repetition of the deity's root mantra.
Chant the deity's mool mantra on a japa mala — Short mode 11, Medium 21, Full 108 times.
Samagri: Japa mala (108 beads)
26. Katha / Path
Listening to the katha or reciting the stotra completes the fruit of the puja.
Read or listen to the katha: Mahishasuramardini — summary in Sheet 19.
Samagri: Sacred book
महिषासुरमर्दिनी कथा
महिषासुर को वर था कि कोई पुरुष उसे नहीं मार सकेगा; देवताओं के सम्मिलित तेज से प्रकट हुई देवी दुर्गा ने नौ दिन युद्ध कर दशमी को महिषासुर का वध किया।
27. Aarti / Nirajanam
Kadaligarbhasambhutam Karpuram Tu Pradipitam |
Arartikyamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varada Bhava ||
Om Kalaratryai Namah | Arartikyam Samarpayami ||
With lighted camphor I perform the aarti — look upon me and be the giver of boons.
Wave the aarti plate of camphor or ghee 4 times at the deity's feet, 2 times at the navel, once at the face and 7 times over the whole form; sing the aarti while ringing the bell.
Samagri: Aarti plate, camphor, bell
28. Mantra Pushpanjali
Nanasugandhapushpani Yathakalodbhavani Cha |
Pushpanjalirmaya Datto Grihana Parameshvari ||
Om Kalaratryai Namah | Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami ||
This handful of many fragrant seasonal flowers I offer — O Supreme, accept it.
Standing, take flowers in joined palms and offer them at the deity's feet.
Samagri: Fresh flowers
29. Pradakshina
Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantarakritani Cha |
Tani Sarvani Nashyantu Pradakshinapade Pade ||
Om Kalaratryai Namah | Pradakshinam Samarpayami ||
Whatever sins were committed in past lives, may they be destroyed with every step of this circumambulation.
Turn clockwise in your place (or walk around the murti) in pradakshina — count: 1 (scripture: 'eka chandyah').
Salutations to you who are for the welfare of all and the support of the world — this full prostration I make with effort.
Bow in full prostration (sashtanga), or bow your head with joined hands.
31. Kshama Prarthana
Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Visarjanam |
Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Parameshvari ||
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshvari |
Yatpujitam Maya Devi Paripurnam Tadastu Me ||
Anena Pujanena Shrikalaratrih Priyatam, Na Mama ||
I know not how to invoke, bid farewell, or worship properly — forgive me. Though lacking in mantra, rite and devotion, may my worship be complete. May the deity be pleased; the fruit is theirs, not mine.
With joined hands ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja; finally, releasing water, offer the fruit of the puja to the deity.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
32. Prasada
Receiving the sanctified offering.
Take the charanamrit/prasad yourself and share it with the family.
Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog)
This text is from the workbook edition; the vidhi can differ by family and regional tradition.
॥ Shri Durga Mata Aarti ॥
Jay Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jay Shyama Gauri|
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Mang Sindur Virajat, Tiko Mrigmad Ko|
Ujjval Se Dou Naina, Chandravdan Niko|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Raje|
Raktapushp Gal Mala, Kanthan Par Saje|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Kehri Vahan Rajat, Khadg Khappar Dhari|
Sur-Nar-Munijan Sevat, Tinke Duhkhahari|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Moti|
Kotik Chandr Divakar, Sam Rajat Jyoti|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Shumbh-Nishumbh Bidare, Mahishasur Ghati|
Dhumr Vilochan Naina, Nishidin Madmati|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Chand Mund Sanhare, Shonit Bij Hare|
Madhu Kaitabh Dou Mare, Sur Bhay Bin Kare|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Brahmani, Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani|
Agam-Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Chaunsath Yogini Mangal Gavat, Nrity Karat Bhairu|
Bajat Tal Mridanga, Aru Bajat Damru|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Tum Hi Jag Ki Mata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta|
Bhaktan Ki Duhkh Harta, Sukh Sampatti Karta|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Khadg Khappar Dhari|
Manvanchhit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Nari|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapur Ki Bati|
Shri Malketu Men Rajat, Koti Ratan Jyoti|| Jay Ambe Gauri||
Shri Ambeji Ki Arti, Jo Koi Nar Gave|
Kahat Shivanand Svami, Manvanchhit Phal Pave|| Jay Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jay Shyama Gauri||