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….

ॐ यज्ञेन यज्ञमयजंत देवास्तानि धर्माणि प्रथमान्यासन् । ते ह नाकं महिमानः सचंत यत्र पूर्वे साध्याः संति देवाः ॥….I have prepared this collection of flowers by procuring flowers which grow in this season from different places. Oh, great Goddess, kindly accept my offering of flowers….