Durga Mata Puja Vidhi follows the traditional Shodashopachara (16-step) method of worship. It includes purification, invocation, offerings, and aarti. This can be done at home with a murti or photo of Maa Durga. Devotion and purity of mind are more important than elaborate rituals.
Preparation
Take a bath and wear clean clothes
Clean the puja place thoroughly
Place a clean red or yellow cloth on a chowki (platform)
Install the murti or photo of Goddess Durga facing east or north
Sit on a clean asana facing east or north
Keep a calm and focused mind
Samagri (Puja Items)
Murti or photo of Goddess Durga
Water (preferably Gangajal)
Red flowers (hibiscus, rose, etc.)
Bel leaves (optional)
Kumkum, sandalwood paste (chandan)
Incense sticks (dhoop)
Ghee lamp (diya)
Camphor for aarti
Fruits, sweets, or naivedya (bhog)
Rice (akshata)
Betel leaves and nuts (tambool)
Kalash with water and mango leaves (optional)
Red cloth or dupatta for offering
Sankalp (Taking the Vow)
- 1
Take a little water in your right palm
- 2
State your full name, gotra (if known), date, and purpose of the puja
- 3
Pray for blessings, protection, peace, and removal of obstacles
- 4
Offer the water on the ground saying 'Tathastu'
Ganesh Vandana
- 1
Begin by remembering Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles
- 2
Chant 'Om Gan Ganapataye Namah' 3, 11, or 21 times
- 3
Offer flowers to Ganesha
Kalash Sthapana (Optional)
- 1
Fill a kalash with water and place mango leaves on top
- 2
Put a coconut wrapped in red cloth over it
- 3
Place the kalash near the murti as a symbol of Maa Durga's presence
Dhyana and Avahana (Meditation & Invocation)
- 1
Close your eyes and meditate on the form of Goddess Durga
- 2
Invite Maa Durga with folded hands
- 3
Chant: 'Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah Durgadevyai Namah Durgadevim Avahayami'
Shodashopachara Puja (Main 16 Offerings)
- 1
Offer Asana (seat) with flowers
- 2
Offer Padya (water to wash feet)
- 3
Offer Arghya (water for hands)
- 4
Offer Achamana (water to drink)
- 5
Offer Snana (bath with water or milk)
- 6
Offer Vastra (cloth or red flower)
- 7
Apply Chandan (sandalwood paste)
- 8
Offer Pushpa (fresh flowers)
- 9
Offer Dhoop (incense)
- 10
Offer Deepa (lighted lamp)
- 11
Offer Naivedya (fruits and sweets)
- 12
Offer Tambool (betel leaves and nuts)
- 13
Offer Dakshina (coin or fruit as symbolic gift)
- 14
Perform Aarti with lamp and camphor
- 15
Offer flowers with both hands (Pushpanjali)
- 16
Pray silently for blessings
Mantra Chanting
- 1
Chant Durga Beej Mantra: 'Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche'
- 2
Recite 'Om Dum Durgayai Namah' 11, 21, or 108 times
- 3
Optionally recite Durga Chalisa or 108 Names of Durga
Aarti
- 1
Light camphor or ghee lamp
- 2
Perform aarti by moving it in circular motion
- 3
Sing 'Jai Ambe Gauri' or any Durga Aarti with devotion
Pradakshina and Pranam
- 1
Do 3 or 7 pradakshina (clockwise rounds) around the altar
- 2
Bow down fully (sashtang pranam) before Maa Durga
- 3
Pray from the heart for protection, courage, and peace
Conclusion and Prasad
- 1
Offer the naivedya to family members as prasad
- 2
Distribute fruits and sweets
- 3
End the puja with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti'
Best Time for Puja
During Navratri (especially Shashti to Dashami)
Daily in the morning or evening (Sandhya time)
Ashtami and Navami are considered very auspicious
Any auspicious muhurat or Friday
Important Rules
Use fresh and clean items. Offer red flowers preferably. Maintain purity of body and mind. Women can perform this puja. Bhakti (devotion) is more important than perfect ritual. For daily quick puja, offer a lamp, incense, flowers, and chant the mantra with faith.
For a very simple daily worship, light a diya and incense, offer flowers and naivedya, chant 'Om Dum Durgayai Namah' 11 times, and perform a short aarti. Maa Durga accepts sincere devotion.