Durga Nitya Puja Vidhanam

Durga Nitya Puja Vidhanam

आवश्यकानि वस्तूनि (Āvaśyakāni Vastūni)
Required items for the worship ceremony.

आसनम् (Āsanam)
A seat or mat used for sitting during the पूजा (worship).

दीपः (Dīpaḥ)
A sacred lamp used for offering light to the deity.

गन्धः (Gandhaḥ)
Sandalwood paste or sacred fragrance offered during worship.

कुङ्कुमम् (Kuṅkumam)
Sacred vermilion powder used as an auspicious offering.

अक्षताः (Akṣatāḥ)
Unbroken rice grains offered as a symbol of purity and devotion.

पुष्पाणि (Puṣpāṇi)
Flowers offered with love and reverence.

धूपः (Dhūpaḥ)
Incense offered during worship to create a sacred atmosphere.

नैवेद्यम् (Naivēdyam)
Food offering prepared and presented to the deity.

ताम्बूलम् (Tāmbūlam)
Betel leaves and traditional offerings presented to the deity.

आचमनीयम् (Āchamanīyam)
Water offered for ritual purification.

पूजा पात्रम् (Pūjā Pātram)
Sacred vessels used during पूजा rituals.

कलशः (Kalaśaḥ)
A sacred water-filled pot representing divine presence.

शङ्खः (Śaṅkhaḥ) [Optional]
A conch shell used for sacred sounds and rituals.

दुर्गा देवी प्रतिमा वा चित्रपटः वा (Durgā Devī Pratimā Vā Chitrapaṭaḥ Vā)
An idol or picture of Goddess Durga used for worship.

पूर्वाङ्ग पूजा (Pūrvāṅga Pūjā)
The preliminary worship performed before the main पूजा.

श्रीमहागणाधिपतये नमः ।
Salutations to Lord Mahāgaṇapati (Lord Ganesha), the remover of obstacles.

श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः ।
Salutations to the revered Guru, the spiritual guide.

हरिः ॐ ।
The sacred sound Hari Om, representing the Supreme Divine Reality.

शुचिः (Śuchiḥ)
Purification prayer.

अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा ।
यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः ॥
Whether one is pure or impure, or has passed through any condition of life, by remembering the lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu, one becomes purified both externally and internally.

पुण्डरीकाक्ष पुण्डरीकाक्ष पुण्डरीकाक्षाय नमः ॥
Salutations to Lord Puṇḍarīkākṣa, the lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu.

प्रार्थना (Prārthanā)
Prayer offered before beginning the worship.

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥
Meditate upon Lord Vishnu, who wears white garments, shines like the moon, has four arms, and a peaceful face, for the removal of all obstacles.

अगजानन पद्मार्कं गजाननमहर् निशम् ।
अनेकदं तं भक्तानां एकदन्तमुपास्महे ॥
We worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-faced Lord, who shines like the sun upon the lotus face of Mother Parvati and grants countless blessings to devotees.

तदेव लग्नं सुदिनं तदेव
ताराबलं चन्द्रबलं तदेव ।
विद्याबलं दैवबलं तदेव
लक्ष्मीपते तेऽङ्घ्रियुगं स्मरामि ॥
That alone is the auspicious moment, that alone is the blessed day; that alone is the strength of stars, moon, knowledge, and divine grace. O Lord of Goddess Lakshmi, I remember Your sacred feet.

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर् विष्णुः गुरुर् देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Maheshwara (Shiva). The Guru is the Supreme Brahman itself. Salutations to that revered Guru.

सर्वमङ्गल माङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
O Narayani, the most auspicious among all, the embodiment of Shiva, the fulfiller of all purposes, and the refuge of all beings, I bow to You.

श्रीलक्ष्मीनारायणाभ्यां नमः ।
Salutations to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayana.

उमामहेश्वराभ्यां नमः ।
Salutations to Goddess Uma and Lord Maheshwara (Shiva).

वाणीहिरण्यगर्भाभ्यां नमः ।
Salutations to Goddess Vani (Saraswati) and Lord Hiranyagarbha (Brahma).

शचीपुरन्दराभ्यां नमः ।
Salutations to Goddess Shachi and Lord Indra.

अरुन्धतीवसिष्ठाभ्यां नमः ।
Salutations to Arundhati and Sage Vasishta.

श्रीसीतारामाभ्यां नमः ।
Salutations to Goddess Sita and Lord Rama.

मातापितृभ्यो नमः ।
Salutations to mother and father.

सर्वेभ्यो महाजनेभ्यो नमः ।
Salutations to all noble and great souls.

प्राणायामः (Prāṇāyāmaḥ)
Breathing exercise performed for purification and concentration before worship.

ॐ भूः । ॐ भुवः । ॐ सुवः । ॐ महः । ॐ जनः । ॐ तपः । ॐ सत्यम् ।
ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
ॐ आपो ज्योती रसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवः सुवरोम् ॥
We meditate upon the divine light of Savita (the Supreme Divine source), who inspires and guides our intellect. The Supreme Reality is the essence of water, light, energy, immortality, and Brahman, pervading all worlds.

सङ्कल्पः (Saṅkalpaḥ)
The sacred vow and intention taken before beginning the पूजा.

मम उपात्त समस्त दुरितक्षय द्वारा श्रीपरमेश्वर प्रीत्यर्थं, मम/अस्माकं सहकुटुम्बस्य क्षेम-स्थैर्य-धैर्य-वीर्य-विजय-अभय-आयुः-आरोग्य-ऐश्वर्य-अभिवृद्ध्यर्थं, धर्मार्थ-काम-मोक्ष-चतुर्विध-पुरुषार्थ-फल-सिद्ध्यर्थं, सर्वाभीष्ट-सिद्ध्यर्थं, श्रीदुर्गा देवी-प्रीत्यर्थं, यावच्छक्ति ध्यान-आवाहनादि-षोडशोपचार-पूजां करिष्ये ॥
For the removal of all my sins and for the pleasure of Lord Parameshwara, for the welfare, stability, courage, strength, victory, fearlessness, long life, health, and prosperity of myself and my family, for attaining the four goals of life — Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, and for fulfilling all desires, I shall perform the sixteen-step worship of Goddess Durga with devotion and according to my ability.

तदङ्ग कलशाराधनं करिष्ये ॥
As a part of this worship, I shall perform the worship of the sacred Kalasha.

कलशाराधनम् (Kalaśārādhanam)
Worship of the sacred Kalasha (holy water vessel).

कलशे गन्ध पुष्पाक्षतैरभ्यर्च्य ।
The Kalasha is worshipped with sandalwood paste, flowers, and sacred rice grains.

कलशे उदकं पूरयित्वा ।
Fill the Kalasha with sacred water.

कलशस्योपरि हस्तं निधाय ।
Place the hand over the Kalasha with devotion.

कलशस्य मुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रः समाश्रितः ।
मूले त्वस्य स्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः ॥
कुक्षौ तु सागराः सर्वे सप्तद्वीपा वसुन्धरा ।
ऋग्वेदोऽथ यजुर्वेदः सामवेदो ह्यथर्वणः ॥
अङ्गैश्च सहिताः सर्वे कलशाम्बु समाश्रिताः ॥
Lord Vishnu resides at the mouth of the Kalasha, Lord Rudra at its neck, and Lord Brahma at its base. The divine mother energies reside in the middle. All oceans, the seven continents, the Earth, and the four Vedas along with their branches are present within the sacred water of the Kalasha.

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति ।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरी जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ॥
O sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri, please be present in this holy water.

कावेरी तुङ्गभद्रा च कृष्णवेणी च गौतमी ।
भागीरथीति विख्याताः पञ्चगङ्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ॥
The sacred rivers Kaveri, Tungabhadra, Krishna Veni, Gautami, and Bhagirathi are remembered as the holy Panchaganga rivers.

आयान्तु देवपूजार्थं मम दुरितक्षयकारकाः ।
कलशोदकेन पूजा द्रव्याणि सम्प्रोक्ष्य, देवं सम्प्रोक्ष्य, आत्मानं च सम्प्रोक्ष्य ॥
May these sacred waters come for the worship of the Divine and destroy my sins. With the water of the Kalasha, may the पूजा materials, the deity, and myself be purified.

शङ्खपूजा (Śaṅkhapūjā)
Worship of the sacred conch shell.

शङ्खं चन्द्रार्क दैवतं मध्ये वरुण देवताम् ।
पृष्ठे प्रजापतिं विन्द्यादग्रे गङ्गा सरस्वतीम् ॥
The conch represents the divine presence of the Moon and Sun; Lord Varuna resides in its center, Prajapati at its back, and the sacred rivers Ganga and Saraswati at its front.

त्रैलोक्ये यानि तीर्थानि वासुदेवस्य आज्ञया ।
शङ्खे तिष्ठन्तु विप्रेन्द्राः तस्मात् शङ्खं प्रपूजयेत् ॥
By the command of Lord Vasudeva, may all the holy places of the three worlds reside in this conch; therefore, the conch is worshipped.

ॐ शङ्खाय नमः ।
Salutations to the sacred conch.

ॐ धवलाय नमः ।
Salutations to the pure and white conch.

ॐ पाञ्चजन्याय नमः ।
Salutations to Panchajanya, the divine conch of Lord Vishnu.

ॐ शङ्खदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
Salutations to the divine powers present in the conch.

सकलपूजार्थे अक्षतान् समर्पयामि ॥
I offer sacred rice grains for the completion of the worship.

घण्टानादः (Ghaṇṭānādaḥ)
Ringing of the sacred bell.

आगमार्थं तु देवानां गमनार्थं तु राक्षसाम् ।
घण्टारवं करोम्यादौ देवताह्वान लाञ्छनम् ॥
I ring this bell to invite the divine beings and to drive away negative forces. The sound of the bell marks the invocation of the deities.

ॐ घण्टादेवताभ्यो नमः ।
Salutations to the divine powers of the bell.

सकलोपचार पूजार्थे अक्षतान् समर्पयामि ॥
I offer sacred rice grains for all the worship offerings.

श्री महागणपति पूजा (Śrī Mahāgaṇapati Pūjā)
Worship of Lord Mahāganapati (Lord Ganesha).

ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् ।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम् ॥
We invoke You, O Lord of all groups (Ganesha), the wisest among the wise, the most renowned, the supreme among leaders. O Lord of divine wisdom, hear our prayers and bless us with Your presence.

सुमुखश्चैकदन्तश्च कपिलो गजकर्णकः ।
लम्बोदरश्च विकटो विघ्नराजो गणाधिपः ॥
धूमकेतुर्गणाध्यक्षः फालचन्द्रो गजाननः ।
वक्रतुण्डः शूर्पकर्णो हेरम्बः स्कन्दपूर्वजः ॥
We remember the sacred names of Lord Ganesha — the one with a beautiful face, one tusk, elephant ears, large belly, remover of obstacles, leader of divine beings, and the elder brother of Lord Skanda.

ॐ श्रीमहागणपतये नमः ।
Salutations to Lord Sri Mahaganapati.

ध्यायामि । आवाहयामि । आसनं समर्पयामि ।
I meditate upon You. I invoke Your presence. I offer You a seat.

पाद्यं समर्पयामि । अर्घ्यं समर्पयामि । आचमनीयं समर्पयामि ।
I offer water for washing Your feet, water of respect, and water for purification.

स्नानं समर्पयामि । वस्त्रं समर्पयामि । यज्ञोपवीतं समर्पयामि ।
I offer a sacred bath, clothing, and the holy thread.

गन्धं समर्पयामि । पुष्पाणि समर्पयामि ।
I offer sandalwood paste and flowers.

धूपमाघ्रापयामि । दीपं दर्शयामि ।
I offer incense and show the sacred lamp.

नैवेद्यं समर्पयामि । ताम्बूलं समर्पयामि ।
I offer food and betel leaves.

नीराजनं समर्पयामि । मन्त्रपुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
I offer the sacred light ceremony and flowers with mantras.

प्रदक्षिण नमस्कारान् समर्पयामि ॥
I offer circumambulation and respectful prostrations.

अर्घ्यम् (Arghyam)
Offering of sacred water mixed with sandalwood, flowers, and rice as a gesture of respect.

गन्ध पुष्पाक्षतैर्युक्तं अर्घ्यं सम्पादितं मया ।
गृहाण त्वं महादेवि प्रसन्ना भव सर्वदा ॥
O Great Goddess, I have prepared this offering of water mixed with fragrance, flowers, and sacred rice. Kindly accept it and always remain pleased with me.

ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः ।
हस्तयोः अर्घ्यं समर्पयामि ॥
Salutations to Goddess Sri Durga. I offer this sacred water into Your hands.

आचमनीयम् (Āchamanīyam)
Offering of water for divine purification.

कर्पूरेण सुगन्धेन वासितं स्वादु शीतलम् ।
तोयमाचमनीयार्थं गृहाण परमेश्वरि ॥
O Supreme Goddess, please accept this cool, fragrant, and pleasant water offered for purification.

ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः ।
मुखे आचमनीयं समर्पयामि ॥
Salutations to Goddess Sri Durga. I offer water for sipping and purification.

स्नानम् (Snānam)
Sacred bathing ceremony offered to the deity.

आपो हिष्ठा मयोभुवस्ता न ऊर्जे दधातन ।
महेरणाय चक्षसे ॥
यो वः शिवतमो रसस्तस्य भाजयतेह नः ।
उशतीरिव मातरः ॥
तस्मा अरं गमाम वो यस्य क्षयाय जिन्वथ ।
आपो जनयथा च नः ॥
O sacred waters, you are the source of happiness and strength. Bless us with nourishment, purity, and divine vision. Grant us your most auspicious essence like loving mothers and renew our life with purity and spiritual energy.

ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः ।
शुद्धोदक स्नानं समर्पयामि ॥
Salutations to Goddess Sri Durga. I offer a sacred bath with pure water.

स्नानानन्तरं आचमनीयं समर्पयामि ॥
After the sacred bath, I offer water for purification.

वस्त्रम् (Vastram)
Offering of sacred clothes to the deity.

वस्त्रयुग्मं च दिव्यं च शोभनं प्रीति वर्धनम् ।
ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः ।
वस्त्रं समर्पयामि ॥
O Goddess Durga, I offer this divine and beautiful pair of garments that increases joy and devotion.

यज्ञोपवीतम् (Yajñopavītam)
Offering of the sacred thread.

यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् ।
आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः ॥
This sacred thread is supremely pure and was born with Prajapati. May this pure sacred thread grant long life, strength, and divine brilliance.

ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः ।
यज्ञोपवीतं समर्पयामि ॥
Salutations to Goddess Sri Durga. I offer the sacred thread.

गन्धम् (Gandham)
Offering of sandalwood paste and fragrance.

श्रीखण्डं चन्दनं दिव्यं गन्धाढ्यं सुमनोहरम् ।
विलेपनं सुरश्रेष्ठे चन्दनं प्रतिगृह्यताम् ॥
O Divine Goddess, please accept this beautiful and fragrant sandalwood paste, which is sacred and pleasing.

ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः ।
गन्धं समर्पयामि ॥
Salutations to Goddess Sri Durga. I offer sandalwood paste.

अर्चना (Archana)
Offering of flowers and sacred rice while chanting divine names.

अक्षतान् धवलान् दिव्यान् पुष्पाणि च सुगन्धीनि ।
भक्त्या दत्तानि गृह्यन्तां सर्वदेवाः प्रसीदत ॥
May these pure sacred rice grains and fragrant flowers offered with devotion be accepted. May all divine beings be pleased.

अङ्ग पूजा (Aṅga Pūjā)
Worship of the divine limbs of Goddess Durga.

ॐ दुर्गायै नमः – पादौ पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Durga. I worship Your divine feet.

ॐ गिरिजायै नमः – गुल्फौ पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Girija. I worship Your ankles.

ॐ अपर्णायै नमः – जानुनी पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Aparna. I worship Your knees.

ॐ हरप्रियायै नमः – ऊरू पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Harapriya. I worship Your thighs.

ॐ पार्वत्यै नमः – कटिं पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Parvati. I worship Your waist.

ॐ आर्यायै नमः – नाभिं पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Arya. I worship Your navel.

ॐ जगन्मात्रे नमः – उदरं पूजयामि ।
Salutations to the Mother of the Universe. I worship Your abdomen.

ॐ मङ्गलायै नमः – हृदयं पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Mangala. I worship Your heart.

ॐ शिवायै नमः – कण्ठं पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Shiva. I worship Your neck.

ॐ महेश्वर्यै नमः – स्कन्धौ पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Maheshwari. I worship Your shoulders.

ॐ विश्ववन्द्यायै नमः – बाहू पूजयामि ।
Salutations to the Goddess worshipped by the universe. I worship Your arms.

ॐ कालयै नमः – हस्तौ पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Goddess Kali. I worship Your hands.

ॐ आद्यायै नमः – मुखं पूजयामि ।
Salutations to the Primordial Goddess. I worship Your face.

ॐ वरदायै नमः – नेत्रे पूजयामि ।
Salutations to the Bestower of blessings. I worship Your eyes.

ॐ अम्बिकायै नमः – शिरः पूजयामि ।
Salutations to Mother Ambika. I worship Your head.

ॐ परादेव्यै नमः – सर्वाण्यङ्गानि पूजयामि ॥
Salutations to the Supreme Goddess. I worship all Your divine limbs.