Step-wise direction to perform Durga Puja 

- Excluding Kalash-puja or Ghatsthapana  

First perform ‘Atma Puja’ for self-purification. This is done by the chanting of the following mantras:

OM APAVITRAH PAVITRO VA SARVAVASTHAM GATOAPI VA, YAH SMRAIT PUNDARIKA AKSHAM SA VAHY ABHYANTARAH SHUCHIH.

Explanation: Whoever contemplates upon Vishnu gets automatically purified, both mentally and physically.

Tilak : Apply Tilak (an auspicious mark) on your forehead

This is followed by ‘Achman’ (drinking of holy water after accepting it in the palm of the hand), which helps to wash off the sins committed by action, thought and speech. The mantra runs as follows:

OM KESHAVAYA NAMAH, OM NARAYANAYA NAMAH, OM MADHAVAYA NAMAH, OM GOVINDAYA NAMAH.

Explanation: I bow to thee Keshav, I bow to thee Narayan, I bow to thee Madhav, I bow to thee Govind.  

SANKALPA : To make a firm resolve (Sankalpa) to achieve the purpose of the ceremony. It is customary to take a little water in one’s hand and make resolve. 

AAWAHAN (Pray to invite Ma Durga)

Aagachha Tvam Mahadevi ! Sthane Chatra Sthira Bhav. Yavata Pujaam Karisyami Tavata Tvam Snidho Bhav.

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha. Durgadevimaawahayami. Aawahanartheye Pushpaanjali Samarpayami.

(Offer Flowers to Ma Durga)

Aasan After Dhyan and Mantras, Pray & offer:

Om sarvmangal mangaleye shivesarvaarth sadhike,  Sharneye Traymbake gauri Narayani Namostute.

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha. Aasanarthey Pushpani Samarpayami. (offer flowers)

Paadha

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha. Padayoh Paadham Samarpayami. (offer water to Mother’s Shri Charan)

Arghya

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha. Hastyoh Arghya Samarpayami. (offer Chandan,Pushpa and Akshat mixed water)

Aachman

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha. Aachamanam Samarpayami. (Offer Karpoor mixed water)

Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Snanartham Jalam Samarpayami. (offer Ganga Jal for Bath)

Snananga Aachaman Snanantey Punrachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami. (Offer water for aachman)

Dugdha Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha DugdhaSnanam Samarpayami. (offer Cow-milk for Bath)

Dadhi Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha DadhiSnanam Samarpayami. (offer curd made from cow milk for bath)

Ghrit Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha GhritSnanam Samarpayami. (offer Gou-Ghee for Bath)

Madhu Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha MadhuSnanam Samarpayami. (offer Honey for Bath)

Sharkara Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha SharkaraSnanam Samarpayami. (offer sugar for Bath)

Panchaamrit Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha PanchaamritSnanam Samarpayami. (offer Panchaamrit for Bath)

Gandhodak Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha GandhodakSnanam Samarpayami. (offer MalayaChandan and Agaru mixed water for Bath)

Shudhodak Snan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha ShudhodakSnanam Samarpayami. (offer Holy Water for Final Bath)

Aachman

ShudhodakSnanante Aachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami. (offer water for Aachaman)

Vastra

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Vastropavastram Kanchukiyam ch Samarpayami. (offer sarees and other dress material etc.)

Aachman: Vastranante Aachamaniym jalam Samarpayami

Shobhagya Sutra

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha ShobhagyaSutram Samarpayami.

Chandan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Chandanam Samarpayami.

Haridrachurna

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Haridraam Samarpayami.

Kumkum

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Kumkumam Samarpayami.

Sindoor

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Sindooram Samarpayami.

Kajal

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Kajjalm Samarpayami.

Durvankur (Durva)

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Durvankuraan Samarpayami.

BilvaPatra

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha BilvaPatram Samarpayami.

Abhushan

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Abhushnaani Samarpayami.

Pushpamala

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Pushpamalam Samarpayami.

Nanaparimaldraviya

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha NanaparimalDraviyaani Samarpayami.

Shobhagya Patika

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Shobhagyapatikam Samarpayami.

Dhoop

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Dhoopmaaghrapayami.

Deep

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Deepam Darshyami. (Show deep to mother and wash your hand)

Naibaidha

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Naibaidham Nivedyami.

Aachman: offer aachaman

Rituphal

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Rituphalani Samarpayami.

Tammbul

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Tammbulam Samarpayami.

Dakshina

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Dakshinaam Samarpayami.

AARTI (karpoor and bati)

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Karpooraratirkyam Samarpayami.

SHRI AMBAJI KI AARTI

Jai ambe gaurii maiyaa, Jai shyaamaa gaurii Nishadina tumako dhyaavata, Hari brahma shivajii

(Glory to you, O divine Mother Gauri, glory to you, O Parvati, who are so rich in maiden grace (virgin beauty), the object of daily meditation by Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva!)

Maanga sinduura viraajata, Tiko mriga madako Ujjvalase dauu nainaa, Chandravana niiko

(O Ambe! On your forehead is a resplendent mark of vermilion along with a mark of musk (signifying good luck). Your twin eyes are bright and your face beautiful as the moon.)

Kanaka samaana kalevara, Raktaambara raaje Raktapushpa galamaalaa, Kanthahaara saaje

(Your body with a tinge of gold is splendidly dressed in red attire; on your throat lies a wreath of red blossoms like a beautiful necklace.)

Kehari vaahana raajata, Khadaga khappara dhaari Sura nara munijana sevata, Tinake dukha haari

(Your vehicle, the lion, is, O Mother in keeping with your splendid form; you bear a sword and a skull in your hands, and on you attend the gods, men, hermits and your votaries whose grief you drive away.)

Kaanana kunadala shobhita, Naasaagre motii Kotika chandra divaakara, Sam raajata jyotii

(You are adorned with rings on your ears and with pearl on the tip of your nose, your radiance looks as splendid as that of myriad of suns and moons.)

Shumbha nishumbha bidaare, Mahishaasura ghaatii Dhuumra vilochana nainaa, Nishadina madamaatii

(O slayer of the demon Mahisha, you tore apart the bodies of Shumbha, Nishumbha and Dhuumravilochana. (In the battle waged against them) your eyes reflected a frenzy of fury everyday and night.)

Brahmaanii rudraanii, Tuma kamalaa raanii Aagama-nigama bakhaanii, Tuma shiva pataraanii

(You are the beloved consort of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu. The Vedas and the Shastras describe you as the queen consort of Shiva)

Chausatha yoginii gaavata, Nritya karata bhairon Baajata taala mridanga, Aura baajata damaruu

(Sixty-four Yoginis chorus your praise and glorify you, while Bhairava (Shiva) dances in tune to the accompaniment of the sound of tambour (mridanga) and drum (damaru))

Tuma ho jaga kii maataa, Tuma hii ho bhartaa Bhaktana kii dukha hartaa, Sukha sampati kartaa

(You are mother of the universe, its sustainer, reliever of your devotees’ affliction and bestower of happiness and prosperity)

Bhujaa chaara ati shobhita, Vara mudraa dhaarii Manavaanchita phala paavata, Sevata nara naarii

(The four arms you have adorned your person, while the hand raised in benediction reveals your benign aspect. Those among men and women who wait on you and worship you have all their cherished wishes ever fulfilled)

 Kanchana thaala viraajata Agaru kapuura baatii            (Shri)Maalketu mein raajata, Kotiratana jyotii

(In a golden platter are beautifully laid aloe and camphor, both of which have lighted (to be waved before you); in he radiance of your forehead is reflected the splendour of a myriad gems)

     Shri Ambeyji ki Aarti Jo koi Nar Gave,                              Kahat Shivanand Swami Sukh Sampati Paave.

Pradikshna

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Pradikshnaanm Samarpayami.

Mantrapushpanjali

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami

OM YAGYEN YAGYA MAYA JANT DEVAASTAANI DHARMAANI PRATHMAA NYAASAN. THE NAAKAM MAHIMAANAH SACHANT YATRA POORVEY SAADHYAH SANTI DEVAAH.

OM KATYAYANYAI VIDMAHE KANYAKUMARYAI DHEEMAHI, TANNO DURGA PRACHODAYAT.

OM VAKRA TUNDAAYE VIDMAEHEY EK DAN TAAYE DHEE MAHI, TANNO DANTI PRACHO DAYAAT.

OM NAA NAA SUGANDHI PUSHPAANI RITU KAALO BHAWAANEE CHA, PUSHPAANJALI MARYAADATTA GRIHAAN PARMESHWARI.

NAMASKAR

Ya Devi Sarvabhutesu Matrurupen Sansthita,

Namastasyye Namastasyye Namastasyye Namo Namah.

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha Namaskaraan Samarpayami.

Kshma Yachna

Aawahanam Na Jaanami Na jaanami Tav archanam, Pujaam ch na jaanami Kshamattam Parameshwari. 

Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwari, Yattpujitam Maya Devi Paripuranm Tadastu me.

Shri Jagadambaye DurgaDevye Namha KshamaYachanam Samarpayami

Arpna

Aum Tattsad Brahmarpanmastu,

Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh.

Jai Mata Di!

Please consult your pundit/purohit for more detail process.