Durga Puja

Significance and when it is done

Durga Puja, also written दुर्गा पूजा in Hindi and known in Sanskrit as दुर्गापूजनम्, belongs to the category of devotional pujas, paths and homas. It is worship offered to Durga, and its stated purpose is to seek protection and strength. The puja is a family observance rather than a public festival ritual in this form, and it can be arranged whenever a household wishes to invoke the Devi’s presence with a proper vidhi.

Because traditions differ, the exact timing and the set of mantras used may vary from one family to another. Some households follow the North Indian practice, others the South Indian paddhati, and Smarta and Vaishnava families may each have their own conventions. It is best to follow the tradition your family has kept, or to ask the pandit which paddhati he will follow before the day.

Who performs it and who should attend

The puja is performed by a qualified pandit, with the yajamana — the head of the household, or a couple jointly — sitting beside him and making the offerings. Family members may sit nearby and join in the namaskaram and the final aarti. There is no bar on children being present, though very young children may find the length difficult.

Durga Puja can also be done online. In that case the pandit performs the ritual by video call while a family member at home carries out the physical steps — the kalash sthapana, the offerings and the aarti — under his guidance. This works well for families in the diaspora who cannot arrange a pandit locally.

Vidhi step by step (outline)

The following is a general outline. Your pandit may add or omit steps according to his paddhati.

• Sankalpa: the yajamana states the purpose of the puja and the family’s intention.
• Kalash sthapana: the kalash is set up and Ganga jal is placed with it.
• Ganesh and Devi smaran: remembrance of Ganesha and of the Devi before the main worship.
• Durga avahan: invocation of Durga into the kalash or the murti.
• Shodashopachara or a shorter upachara: the sixteen offerings, or a condensed set, including snanam, vastra, gandha, pushpa, naivedya and aarti.
• Shringar: offering of the red chunri and the shringar items.
• Mantra japa: recitation of Durga mantras as per the pandit’s tradition.
• Aarti and pranam: the family joins for the final aarti and offers namaskaram.

The typical duration is about 1 h 30 min, depending on the tradition and how much is included. There is no havan in this puja as listed.

Preparing the samagri and the space

Keeping the samagri ready before the pandit arrives saves time and lets the family stay present through the ritual. The list below covers the usual items.

• Roli (kumkum)
• Haldi
• Akshat (unbroken rice)
• Moli (sacred thread)
• Supari
• Paan leaves
• Coconut
• Ghee
• Diya and cotton wicks
• Camphor
• Incense sticks
• Flowers and garland
• Fruits
• Sweets for naivedya
• Ganga jal
• Kalash
• Red chunri
• Shringar items
• Red hibiscus

Set aside a clean, quiet space for the mandap or the altar. Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja begins. Keep the area free of clutter, and place the samagri in easy reach so the yajamana can hand items to the pandit without moving about.

Regional variations

Practices differ across regions and sampradayas. In some North Indian households the puja is tied to the Navratri cycle, while in other families it is performed on a chosen day after consulting a jyotishi for a suitable muhurat. In South Indian paddhatis the order of upacharas and the mantras recited may differ. Smarta and Vaishnava families may follow distinct conventions for the avahan and the naivedya. There is no single correct form; the tradition your family has kept, or the one your pandit follows, is the one to observe.

After the puja: prasad, daan, dos and don'ts

After the aarti, the naivedya is distributed as prasad to those present. Daan, if the family wishes to give it, is usually offered to the pandit or to a temple, according to capacity and custom.

A few simple points help the day go smoothly. Do not begin the puja without the sankalpa. Do not leave the diya or camphor unattended. Treat the kalash and the murti with respect throughout. If the puja is being done online, keep the camera steady so the pandit can see the offerings. For any personal question about muhurat or about your own chart, consult a qualified jyotishi rather than relying on general guidance.