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.
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)
Om Shridurgayai 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
8. 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 Shridurgayai 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
9. Aarti / Nirajanam
Kadaligarbhasambhutam Karpuram Tu Pradipitam |
Arartikyamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varada Bhava ||
Om Shridurgayai 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
10. 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 Shridurga 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
11. Kalasha & Jawara Visarjan
Gachchha Gachchha Surashreshthe Svasthanam Parameshvari |
Pujaradhanakale Cha Punaragamanaya Cha ||
O Supreme Goddess, best of the gods, now return to your abode — and come again at the time of the next worship.
On Dashami, do the five-offering puja; sprinkle the kalash water through the whole house with a mango leaf; share the coconut as prasad; give the jaware to elders and immerse the rest in flowing water or in plants.
Samagri: Kalash (copper/brass/clay), Navratri jaware, coconut with husk
12. Vrat Parana
The vrat is duly concluded.
After the immersion, take prasad with the girls/family and break the Navratri fast (parana).
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||