Happy Navratri! It is the first day of one of the greatest Hindu festivals that marks the victory of good over evil and we should correctly follow the pre-decided rituals while worshipping the first Navdurga. We will discuss the same in this article so that we can worship the goddess in the correct way possible.
Day 1 of Navratri – Devi Shailputri – “Daughter of Mountain”
Marking the arrival of Navratri, the first day of the festival is termed Pratipada Tithi. Mata Shailputri, a reincarnation of Goddess Sati is worshipped on this auspicious day. This day involves Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana which will be explained later in this article.
She is believed to own the divine powers of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and is in control of the Moon. It is said that if you worship her the right way while focusing on your Muladhara Chakra, you can fix any bad effects on your moon and lead a healthy life.
» Chant in Sanskrit
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
» Pronunciation of Chant
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śaktirūpeṇa saṃsthitā।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ॥
» English Meaning of the Chant
The goddess who is manifested in all beings as strength, we bow down to her.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
जो सभी प्राणियों में शक्ति के रूप में स्थित है, उस देवी के नमन है।
» Colour of Day 1 – Crimson
Crimson or deep red is the colour of the day and you should incorporate this colour of the day in your outfit or any other thing where you have a choice of colour.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 1
The first day of the festival requires you to use Desi Ghee as bhog or prasad. You should offer desi ghee at the feet of the goddess which is said to bless you and your family with a disease-free life.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 1
Puja Samagri: Paan, supari, laung, elaichi, coconut, dhoop, diya, desi ghee, shringaar items, kumkum, vermillion or flowers, fruits, mango leaves, kalawa.
- Wake up early and get ready using clean clothes.
- Place a wooden plank covered with red cloth in your temple.
- Place the idol of Goddess Durga and offer it the Shringaar items.
- Light a Diya using desi ghee and offer Paan, Supari, Laung, Elaichi with 5 different fruits.
- Take a Kalash, tie Kalawa around it and put Mango Leaves in it followed by coconut.
- Take a pot and sow barley seeds in the soil and finish it with a splash of water.
- You can end this puja with an aarti.
Day 2 of Navratri: Devi Brahmacharini
The second day of Navratri is dedicated to Devi Brahmacharini who was an avatar of Parvati who waited for Lord Shiva’s agreement on marrying her. Since this avatar was unmarried, it was termed as Brahmacharini.
She is the goddess of eternity and infinity so your prayer to her can achieve success and victory in your life. She lives in your Swadhisthana Chakra so keep your focus there while worshipping her.
» Chant in Sanskrit
दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
» Pronunciation of Chant
Dadhanakara Padmabhyam akshamala kamandalam।
Devi prasidathu mayi brahmacharinya nuththama॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
» English Meaning of the Chant
Holding in her lotus hands a beaded necklace and a water pot.
May goddess excellent celibate be pleased with me
The goddess who is situated in the form of Mother Brahmacharini in all beings.
“Obeisance to her, Obeisance to her, Obeisance to her!”
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
अपने कमल के हाथों में मनके का हार और एक जलपोत पकड़े हुए।
उत्तम ब्रह्मचारी मुझ पर प्रसन्न हों
वह देवी जो सभी प्राणियों में मां ब्रह्मचारिणी के रूप में विराजमान हैं।
“उन्हें प्रणाम, उन्हें प्रणाम, उन्हें प्रणाम!”
» Colour of Day 2 – White
The colour of this day is White which symbolises the innocence and purity of the unmarried goddess of the day.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 2
When you worship goddess Brahmacharini, you offer sugar to her to seek her blessings. You can even serve sugar to everybody in the puja.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 2
- Get through with your work, wash and dress up.
- Offer water to the idol of goddess.
- Offer flowers and fruits to her.
- Put supari, laung, ilaichi and sikka in a paan leaf and offer it.
- Offer sweets to the idol.
- Light a ghee diya and read durga chalisa and durga saptshati.
- Put a flower in your hand and chant the mantra.
- Offer this flower at the feet of the idol.
Day 3 of Navratri: Devi Chandraghanta
The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta and her name means ‘the one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell’. The described half moon is placed on her head and she also has a third eye on her forehead. She blesses her devotees and curses the demons with 10 hands that she has.
You must offer your prayers to Maa Chandraghanta as she is believed to reward people with her grace, bravery and courage that she possesses. Offering her prayers can also grant you fearlessness that you can manifest in your life. Ensure to keep your focus on the Manipura Chakra in your body where she is believed to stay.
» Chant in Sanskrit
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसीदम् तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।
» Pronunciation of Chant
Pindaja Pravarārudhā Chandakopāstrakairyutā Praseedam Tanutae Mahyam Chandraghantaeti Vishrutā.
» English Meaning of the Chant
Pindja mounted on a prominent body, she is famous as Chandraghanta and she blesses me.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
पिंडजा एक प्रमुख शरीर पर आरूढ़ हैं, वह चंद्रघंटा के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हैं और वह मुझ पर कृपा करती हैं
Source – Wikizero
» Colour of Day 3 – Golden
Since the colour of the goddess is said to be golden, it is the colour selected for day 3. When you choose to step out of your house or go to the mandir, it will be a good idea to wear golden colour.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 3
Goddess Chandraghanta is believed to like kheer so if you want to take the blessings of this ferocious goddess, you must make kheer in offerings.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 3
- Purify the puja area using ganga jal.
- Replace the dried flowers with fresh ones.
- Keep fruits and kesar kheer in her offering.
- Do puja, chanting her mantras.
- Apologise for any mistakes during the puja.
Day 4 of Navratri – Devi Kushmanda
Day 4 of Navratri is dedicated to the goddess who is believed to have created the entire universe with her divine smile, Devi Kushmanda. Her name literally means ‘a little energy that creates an egg’. The egg is supposed to be the ‘cosmic egg’ from where we all evolved.
She is also believed to live in your Anahata Chakra, where you need to focus while worshipping her on the 4th day of Navratri. Worshipping her is supposed to improve your health, bestow more wealth and give you more strength.
» Chant in Sanskrit
सुरासंपूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्मांडा शुभदास्तु मे।।
» Pronunciation of Chant
Surasampurn kalansh rudhiraplutmev ch.
Dadhaana hastapjhyabhyam kushmanda shubhdastu me.
» English Meaning of the Chant
A pitcher full of wine and covered in blood.
May Kushmanda bless me by holding me with her lotus hands.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
शराब से भरा घड़ा और खून से लथपथ।
कुष्मांडा मुझे अपने कमल हाथों से पकड़े हुए मुझ पर शुभता प्रदान करें।
Source – Wikizero.com
» Colour of Day 4 – Green
The colour for the 4th day is green, just like the universe that Devi Kushmanda created for us to live in. It would be a great tribute to her if you could incorporate that colour into your clothing.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 4
If you think you have a sweet tooth then you might like the prasad for the day: Malpua. Devi Kushmanda is offered with the Indian sweet delicacy of Malpua which is supposed to make devi happy.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 4
- Get ready on time just like every day.
- Worship the kalash that you put on the first day.
- Put a flower in your hand and meditate.
- Focus on your Anahata Chakra and chant the given mantra.
- Finally, offer this flower to the devi and finish your aarti.
Day 5 of Navratri – Devi Skandamata
The fifth day is devoted to Devi Skandamata who is the avatar of Navdurga after the birth of her son, Skanda Kumar Kartikeya. The son is also the reason that she is called Skandamata, which means ‘the mother of Skanda’.
Worshipping her brings salvation, prosperity, power, treasures and immense wisdom to the devotees. She is believed to live in our Vishuddha Chakra, which is where we should focus our attention while chanting her name.
» Chant in Sanskrit
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
» Pronunciation of Chant
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥
» English Meaning of the Chant
She is always seated on the throne with her hands adorned with lotuses,
May the illustrious goddess mother of Skanda always bestow auspiciousness.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
वह हमेशा कमल से सुशोभित हाथों के साथ सिंहासन पर विराजमान होती हैं।
स्कंद की महिमामयी देवी माता सदैव मंगलमय हों॥
» Colour of Day 5 – Yellow
The colour of day 5 is Yellow which represents optimism, positivity, good health and happiness, which is why you should wear yellow clothes on this day.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 5
Mata Skandamata is offered bananas by her devotees who worship her. This is supposed to bring good health to the devotees who pray with a pure heart.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 5
- Get ready in the morning and clean your mandir.
- Offer yellow flowers, gangajal, kumkum and ghee in the foot of devi.
- Chant her mantra and meditate.
- Finish your puja with prasad distribution.
Day 6 of Navratri – Devi Katyayani
Devi Katyayani is the goddess who slayed the demon Mahishasura. She is believed to take birth out of the anger of all the gods on this demon. Only after the combination of all the god’s energy was she produced to kill this demon.
In contrast with the story of her birth, worshipping her is believed to give the husband of your dreams. Believers offer her aromatic substances like sandalwood, fruits, incense and more. Also, she lives in the Ajna Chakra of the body, so focus should be on it while worshipping her.
» Chant in Sanskrit
चंद्रहासोज्जवलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनि।।
» Pronunciation of Chant
Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana |
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini ||
» English Meaning of the Chant
She carried a tiger groom with a dazzling smile like the moon
The goddess of milk, Katyayani, who destroys the demons, is auspicious.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
वह चाँद की तरह एक चमकदार मुस्कान के साथ एक बाघ के दूल्हे को ले गई
दूध की देवी, दैत्यों का संहार करने वाली कात्यायनी शुभ होती है।
Source – Wikizero
» Colour of Day 6 – Green
The colour of the goddess Katyayani is said to be grey which represents strength and transformation.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 6
Honey should be the bhog for the day as it is a tradition running from a very long time now. If you are doing a puja in your house, ensure to offer honey to the goddess and then to the devotees.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 6
- Light a diya in front of the idol.
- Take flowers in your hand and take blessings from the goddess.
- Offer yellow flowers, raw turmeric and honey to the goddess.
- Chant Maa Katyayani’s mantra.
- Do aarti as per the rituals.
Day 7 of Navratri – Devi Kalaratri
Popularly known as Maa Kali, Devi Kalaratri is the destroyer of all the demons in the Satyug. These include demons,ghosts, evil spirits, and all kinds of negative energies. It is believed that all these demons flee by her mere presence.
You should worship her so that she can bless you and all your inner and outer demons can fly away. Make sure to keep your focus in your crown chakra, where she is believed to be living.
» Chant in Sanskrit
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥
» Pronunciation of Chant
Ekveni japaakarnpura nagna kharaasthit
Lamboshthi karnikaakarni tailabhyakt sharirini
Vaamapaadolasaloh lataakanatakbhushana
Vardhan murdhdhwja krushna kaalratribharyandkari
» English Meaning of the Chant
One braided, full of chanting ears, standing naked on a donkey.
He had long lips and earrings and his body was oiled
The left leg is adorned with thorns of a shiny iron vine.
The dark night of Andheri with a flag on Vardhan’s head is frightening
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
एक लट में, जपते हुए कानों से भरा हुआ, एक गधे पर नग्न खड़ा।
उसके लंबे होंठ और झुमके थे और शरीर पर तेल लगा हुआ था
बायां पैर चमकीले लोहे के लता कांटों से सुशोभित है।
वर्धन के मस्तक पर झण्डा लेकर अँधेरी की अँधेरी रात भयावह है
Source: Wikizero.com
» Colour of Day 7 – White
Red is the colour of Devi Kali but you should wear blue, red or white colours on this day as per the legends.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 7
When you worship Maa Kalaratri, you should offer jaggery as bhog or prasad for the day. It is supposed to be a ritual from ancient times.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 7
- Offer flowers, sindoor, kumkum and kalawa to the idol.
- Put a lemon garland across Devi Kali.
- Offer sweets prepared with jaggery.
- Light kapoor and ghee diya in the mandir.
- Chant her mantras with pure heart.
Day 8 of Navratri – Devi Mahagauri
Devi Mahagauri is one of the peace goddesses whose name literally means very bright where ‘Maha’ stands for ‘great’ and ‘Gauri’ for ‘bright or fair’. In addition to having a golden complexion, she wears white clothes and also rides a white bull.
She resides in the Sahasrara crown chakra where you should focus while worshipping her. She is believed to fulfil all the desires of the one who worships her with a pure heart. Also, she helps her devotees get relieved from all the sufferings in their lives.
» Chant in Sanskrit
श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
» Pronunciation of Chant
Shwete vrushesmarudha shwetambardhra shuchi,
Mahagauri shubham dadhaanmahadev pramodadaa.
» English Meaning of the Chant
She is clean and riding a white bull and is dressed in white clothes,
Wish Mahagauri Mahadev good luck and happiness.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
वह साफ है और सफेद बैल पर सवार है और सफेद कपड़े पहने हुए है।
महागौरी महादेव को शुभता और प्रसन्नता प्रदान करें
Source: Wikizero.com
» Colour of Day 8 – Peacock Green
The colour of the 8th day is Peacock Green that you should try wearing on this day. The colour symbolises uniqueness, compassion, individuality, and freshness.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 8
Prasad for the eighth day is Coconut that is believed to please Mahagauri the most. In addition to using it for bhog, giving them to the Brahmins on this day is also supposed to bring prosperity and happiness in your life.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 8
- Cleanse the Mahagauri’s idol using Gangaajal.
- Offer white clothes and white flowers to the idol.
- Put kumkum on the idol and do aarti as usual.
- Offer coconut or sweets made from coconut to the idol.
Day 9 of Navratri – Devi Siddhidatri
Devi Siddhidatri is believed to be the one who created wives for the Trimurti, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They are the generator, operators and destroyer of the world, respectively. She is also believed to be the one who gave them all the eight supreme powers.
The name of the goddess is Siddhidatri, which stands for ‘Siddhi’ that means supernatural power and ‘Dhatri’ which means giver. So, when you worship Maa Siddhidatri, you are bound to get everything that your heart desires.
» Chant in Sanskrit
सिद्ध गन्धर्व यक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि। सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥
» Pronunciation of Chant
Sidh gandharv yathadhairsurairamrairapi,
Sevyamaanaa sadaa bhutyaat siddhida siddhidayini.
» English Meaning of the Chant
Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and other demons and even gods.
May she always be worshipped as the giver of perfection and the giver of perfection.
» Hindi Meaning of the Chant
सिद्ध, गंधर्व, यक्ष और अन्य राक्षस और यहां तक कि देवता भी।
वह हमेशा पूर्णता प्रदान करने वाली और पूर्णता प्रदान करने वाली के रूप में पूजी जाए।
Source: Wikizero.com
» Colour of Day 9 – Pink
The colour for the day 9 is pink that the devotees can wear on the day nine. The colour symbolises harmony, affection, kindness, tenderness, nurturing and unconditional love.
» Bhog or Prasad for Day 9
Devotees should use til as bhog when worshipping Devi Siddhidatri on the ninth and the last day of the festival.
» Puja Vidhi for Day 9
It is the most important day of the Navratri Puja and here is how you should do it:
- Clean the entire house including the kitchen.
- Take a complete shower from head to toe.
- Cook a meal for the Navratri Kanjak Puja.
- Clean the entire temple at your home.
- Arrange it by adding flowers, roli, moli, fruits and a meal you prepared in the morning.
- Do the puja as usual.
- Serve the food to the nine kanya as suggested in the article linked above.
- Now you can eat to break your fast.
Also Read:
Navratri 2022: Significance of 10 Weapons Wielded By Goddess Durga
