Durga Pooja

According to Hindu mythology, Durga Puja celebrates the goddess’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, who was granted a boon that made him invincible to gods and men.

After a fierce battle, Durga, the embodiment of divine feminine power, defeated Mahishasura, restoring balance to the world.

The festival is also seen as a celebration of the feminine power and divine energy (Shakti), with Goddess Durga being a symbol of strength, compassion, and protection.

1. Vighneśvara dhyānam – Invocation

Ring the bell and light lamp.
om śuklāmbaradharam viṣṇum śaśivarṇam caturbhujam ǀ
prasanna vadanam dhyāyet sarva vighnopa śāntaye ǁ

2. ācamanam – Purification

Take a spoonful of water into your right hand and drink each time.
om keśavāya svāhā ǀ
om nārāyaṇāya svāhā ǀ
om mādhavāya svāhā ǀ

Take a spoonful of water to wash your hands into the plate in front of you.
om govindāya namaḥ ǁ

3. digbandhaḥ – Protection from evil spirits

Move your right hand in the air around the head with your index finger pointing out.
om bhūrbhuvaḥ suvaḥ

4. prāṇāyāmaḥ – Breathing exercises

Do 3 sets of pranayama. Others will chant gayatri mantra at this time.
Om bhūr-bhuvah svah ।
tat-savitur-vareṇyam
bhargo devasya dhīmahi ।
dhiyo yo naḥ pracho-dayāt ॥

5. Pūjā sankalpaḥ – Declaration

Put a tulsi leaf in your right hand and pour some water in it. Close it with your left hand and place it on your right knee.

om mamopātta-samasta-duritakshayadvārā
śrī parameṣvara prītyartham asmin śubha-muhūrte
jñāna-vairāgya sidhyartham vidyā-vinaya-prāptyartham
śrī sadguru-prasāda-sidhyartham ca
śrī durgā pūjām kariṣye ǀ

Pour water and tulsi onto plate in front of you.

6. ghaṇṭānādhaḥ – Invitation to the Gods

Ring the bell and chant.
āgamārtham tu devānām gamanārtham tu rakshasām ǀ
kurve ghaṇṭā-ravam tatra devatāḥvāna-lakshaṇam ǁ

7. śrī gaṇeśa- smaraṇam – Invocation of Ganesh

Fold hands and chant. Place two bananas on betel leaf in front of Ganesha.
vakratuṇḍa mahākāya
sūryakoṭi samaprabha ǀ
nirvighnam kuru me deva
sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā ǁ
om śrī mahāgaṇapataye namaḥ ǁ

Dip flower in water and sprinkle on fruit.
naivedyam nivedayāmi ǁ

Wave the smell towards Ganeshs with the thumb touching each finger shown below.
om prāṇāya svāhā – Pinky
om apānāya svāhā – Ring finger
om vyānāya svāhā – Middle finger
om udānāya svāhā – Index finger
om samānāya svāhā – All fingers
om brahmaṇe svāhā – All fingers

8. guru-smaraṇam – Invocation of Guru

Fold hands and chant.
gurur braḥmā gurur viṣṇuḥ gurur devo maheśvaraḥ ǀ
guruḥ sākśāt para brahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ǁ
om śrī gurubhyo namaḥ ǁ

Offer a flower.

9. devatā dhyānam – Invocation of Durga

Fold hands and chant.
sarvamangalamānglye shive sarvārthasādhike|
sharanye tryambike gauri nārāyani namo stute ǁ

Offer a flower.

10. devatā-āvāhanam – Welcoming

Touch your heart with left hand and keep right hand touching Devi’s feet.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ āvāhayāmi ǁ

11. āsanam – Offering a seat

Offer a flower.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ āsanam samarpayāmi ǁ

12. pādyam – Washing feet

Pour a spoonful of water at Devi’s feet.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ pādyam samarpayāmi ǁ

13. arghyam – Washing hands

Pour a spoonful of water on Devi’s hands.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ arghyam samarpayāmi ǁ

14. ācamanam – Rinsing mouth

Show a spoonful of water to Devi and pour it on the plate in front of you.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ ācamanam samarpayāmi ǁ

15. snānīyam – Offering bath

Sprinkle water on Devi.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ snānīyam samarpayāmi ǁ

16. vastram – Giving clothes

Offer a flower to Devi.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ śubha-vastram samarpayāmi ǁ

17. gandhalepanam – Perfume

Take chandan with your right ring finger and put it on Devi’s forehead.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ gandham samarpayāmi ǁ

18. akśatāḥ – Kumkum and Rice

Take some rice on your right ring finger and dip it in the kumkum. Apply it to Devi’s forehead.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ akśatān samarpayāmi ǁ

19, puṣpam – Flower

Offer a flower garland to Devi.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ puṣpāṇi samarpayāmi ǁ

20. arcana – 108 Names (aṣṭottara-nāma-pūjā)

Offer a flower petal each time a name is chanted.

Shree	श्री	ॐ श्रियै नमः।
Uma	उमा	ॐ उमायै नमः।
Bharati	भारती	ॐ भारत्यै नमः।
Bhadra	भद्रा	ॐ भद्रायै नमः।
Sharvani	शर्वाणी	ॐ शर्वाण्यै नमः।
Vijaya	विजया	ॐ विजयायै नमः।
Jaya	जया	ॐ जयायै नमः।
Vani	वाणी	ॐ वाण्यै नमः।
Sarvagataya	सर्वगताय	ॐ सर्वगतायै नमः।
Gauri	गौरी	ॐ गौर्यै नमः।
Varahi	वाराही	ॐ वाराह्यै नमः।
Kamalapriya	कमलप्रिया	ॐ कमलप्रियायै नमः।
Saraswati	सरस्वती	ॐ सरस्वत्यै नमः।
Kamala	कमला	ॐ कमलायै नमः।
Maya	माया	ॐ मायायै नमः।
Maatangi	मातंगी	ॐ मातंग्यै नमः।
Apra	अपरा	ॐ अपरायै नमः।
Aja	अजा	ॐ अजायै नमः।
Shankbharye	शांकभर्यै	ॐ शांकभर्यै नमः।
Shiva	शिवा	ॐ शिवायै नमः।
Chandi	चण्डी	ॐ चण्डयै नमः।
Kundalini	कुण्डलिनी	ॐ कुण्डल्यै नमः।
Vaishnavi	वैष्णवी	ॐ वैष्णव्यै नमः।
Kriyayai	क्रियायै	ॐ क्रियायै नमः।
Shri	श्री	ॐ श्रियै नमः।
Indira	इन्दिरा	ॐ ऐन्द्रयै नमः।
Madhumati	मधुमती	ॐ मधुमत्यै नमः।
Girija	गिरिजा	ॐ गिरिजायै नमः।
Subhaga	सुभगा	ॐ सुभगायै नमः।
Ambika	अंबिका	ॐ अंबिकायै नमः।
Tara	तारा	ॐ तारायै नमः।
Padmavati	पद्मावती	ॐ पद्मावत्यै नमः।
Hansa	हंसा	ॐ हंसायै नमः।
Padmanabha sahodari	पद्मनाभसहोदरी	ॐ पद्मनाभसहोदर्यै नमः।
Aparna	अपर्णा	ॐ अपर्णायै नमः।
Lalita	ललितायै	ॐ ललितायै नमः।
Dhatri	धात्री	ॐ धात्र्यै नमः।
Kumari	कुमारी	ॐ कुमार्यै नमः।
Shikhvahinyai	शिखवाहिन्यै	ॐ शिखवाहिन्यै नमः।
Shambhavi	शांभवी	ॐ शांभव्यै नमः।
Sumukhi	सुमुखी	ॐ सुमुख्यै नमः।
Maitryai	मैत्र्यै	ॐ मैत्र्यै नमः।
Trinetra	त्रिनेत्रा	ॐ त्रिनेत्रायै नमः।
Vishvarupa	विश्वरूपा	ॐ विश्वरूपिण्यै नमः।
Aarya	आर्य	ॐ आर्यायै नमः।
Mridani	मृडानी	ॐ मृडान्यै नमः।
Hinkaryai	हींकार्यै	ॐ हींकार्यै नमः।
Krodhinyai	क्रोधिन्यै	ॐ क्रोधिन्यै नमः।
Sudinayai	सुदिनायै	ॐ सुदिनायै नमः।
Achala	अचल	ॐ अचलायै नमः।
Sukshma	सूक्ष्म	ॐ सूक्ष्मायै नमः।
Paratpara	परात्परायै	ॐ परात्परायै नमः।
Shobha	शोभा	ॐ शोभायै नमः।
Sarvavarna	सर्ववर्णायै	ॐ सर्ववर्णायै नमः।
Haripriya	हरप्रिया	ॐ हरप्रियायै नमः।
Mahalakshmi	महालक्ष्मी	ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।
Mahasiddhi	महासिद्धि	ॐ महासिद्धयै नमः।
Swadha	स्वधा	ॐ स्वधायै नमः।
Swaha	स्वाहा	ॐ स्वाहायै नमः।
Manonmani	मनोन्मनी	ॐ मनोन्मन्यै नमः।
Trilokapalini	त्रिलोकपालिनी	ॐ त्रिलोकपालिन्यै नमः।
Udbhutayai	उद्भूतायै	ॐ उद्भूतायै नमः।
Trisandhya	त्रिसन्ध्या	ॐ त्रिसन्ध्यायै नमः।
Tripurantakyai	त्रिपुरान्तक्यै	ॐ त्रिपुरान्तक्यै नमः।
Trishaktyai	त्रिशक्त्यै	ॐ त्रिशक्त्यै नमः।
Tripadayai	त्रिपदायै	ॐ त्रिपदायै नमः।
Durga	दुर्गा	ॐ दुर्गायै नमः।
Brahmi	ब्राह्मी	ॐ ब्राह्मयै नमः।
Trailokyavasini	त्रैलोक्यवासिनी	ॐ त्रैलोक्यवासिन्यै नमः।
Pushkara	पुष्करा	ॐ पुष्करायै नमः।
Atrisutayai	अत्रिसुतायै	ॐ अत्रिसुतायै नमः।
Gudha	गूढ़ा	ॐ गूढ़ायै नमः।
Trivarna	त्रिवर्णा	ॐ त्रिवर्णायै नमः।
Triswara	त्रिस्वरा	ॐ त्रिस्वरायै नमः।
Triguna	त्रिगुणा	ॐ त्रिगुणायै नमः।
Nirguna	निर्गुणा	ॐ निर्गुणायै नमः।
Satya	सत्या	ॐ सत्यायै नमः।
Nirvikalpa	निर्विकल्पा	ॐ निर्विकल्पायै नमः।
Niranjana	निरन्जना	ॐ निरंजिन्यै नमः।
Jwalinyai	ज्वालिन्यै	ॐ ज्वालिन्यै नमः।
Malini	मालिनी	ॐ मालिन्यै नमः।
Charchayai	चर्चायै	ॐ चर्चायै नमः।
Kravyadopa nibarhinyai	क्रव्यादोप निबर्हिण्यै	ॐ क्रव्यादोप निबर्हिण्यै नमः।
Kamakshi	कामाक्षी	ॐ कामाक्ष्यै नमः।
Kaminyai	कामिन्यै	ॐ कामिन्यै नमः।
Kanta	कान्ता	ॐ कान्तायै नमः।
Kamdaayai	कामदायै	ॐ कामदायै नमः।
Kalahansinyai	कलहंसिन्यै	ॐ कलहंसिन्यै नमः।
Salajjaayai	सलज्जायै	ॐ सलज्जायै नमः।
Kulajaayai	कुलजायै	ॐ कुलजायै नमः।
Pragyai	प्राज्ञ्यै	ॐ प्राज्ञ्यै नमः।
Prabha	प्रभा	ॐ प्रभायै नमः।
Madanasundari	मदनसुन्दरी	ॐ मदनसुन्दर्यै नमः।
Vagishvari	वागीश्वरी	ॐ वागीश्वर्यै नमः।
Vishalakshi	विशालाक्षी	ॐ विशालाक्ष्यै नमः।
Sumangali	सुमङ्गली	ॐ सुमंगल्यै नमः।
Kali	काली	ॐ काल्यै नमः।
Maheshvari	महेश्वरी	ॐ महेश्वर्यै नमः।
Chandi	चण्डी	ॐ चण्ड्यै नमः।
Bhairavi	भैरवी	ॐ भैरव्यै नमः।
Bhuvaneshvari	भुवनेश्वरी	ॐ भुवनेश्वर्यै नमः।
Nitya	नित्या	ॐ नित्यायै नमः।
Sanandavibhvayai	सानन्दविभवायै	ॐ सानन्दविभवायै नमः।
Satyagyana	सत्यज्ञाना	ॐ सत्यज्ञानायै नमः।
Tamopaha	तमोपहा	ॐ तमोपहायै नमः।
Maheshvarpriyankaryai	महेश्वरप्रियंकर्यै	ॐ महेश्वरप्रियंकर्यै नमः।
Maha Tripura Sundari	महात्रिपुरसुन्दरी	ॐ महात्रिपुरसुन्दर्यै नमः।
Durgaparmeshvaryai	दुर्गापरमेश्वर्यै	ॐ दुर्गापरमेश्वर्यै नमः।

21. dhūpaḥ – Incense

Light the agarbati and lift up to Devi. Ring the bell.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi ǁ

22. dīpaḥ – Lamp

Light up oil lamp and raise it to the level of Devi’s eyes. Ring the bell.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ dīpam darśayāmi ǁ

23. naivedyam – Prasad

Dip a flower into the water and sprinkle on Prasad. Put on plate in front of you.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ naivedyam nivedayāmi ǁ

Wave the smell towards Devi with the thumb touching each finger shown below.
om prāṇāya svāhā – Pinky
om apānāya svāhā – Ring finger
om vyānāya svāhā – Middle finger
om udānāya svāhā – Index finger
om samānāya svāhā – All fingers
om brahmaṇe svāhā – All fingers

24. mangala-nīrājanam – Aarti

Light camphor and rotate around Devi. Ring the bell.
na tatra sūryo bhāti na candra tārakam
nemā vidyuto bhānti kuto S ayamagniḥ ǀ
tameva bhāntam anubhāti sarvam
tasya bhāsā sarvamidam vibhāti ǁ
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ mangala-nīrājanam samarpayāmi ǁ

25. puṣpānjaliḥ – Conclusion

Offer flower.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ puṣpānjalim samarpayāmi ǁ

26. pradakśiṇa-namaskāraḥ – Circumambulation

Stand up and turn around clockwise 3 times.
om śrī devyai namaḥ ǀ
pradakśiṇa-namaskāran samarpayāmi ǁ

27. prārthanā – Forgiveness

Fold hands and chant.
kāyena vācā manasendriyairvā
buddhyātmanā vā prakṛte svabhāvāt ǀ
karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai
nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi ǁ

28. śānti mantraḥ – Closing prayer

Fold hands and chant.
om pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate ǀ
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate ǁ
om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
hariḥ om śrī gurubhyo namaḥ hariḥ om