Navratri, the festival of “nine nights” is a cultural and social festival which marks the celebration of Goddess Durga along with family members. This festival honors the famous Hindu deities Maa Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati. Festival of Navratri is a multi-day Hindu festival. Usually, there are four seasonal Navratri but the Navratri falls in autumn or Shardiya Navratri is widely celebrated almost in every state of India whether it’s Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bengal or Delhi.Though the way of celebration is varied from state to state as India is a land which is characterized by diverse culture, fancy festivals, celebrations and lively people.

As you are newly wed couple staying away from your in-laws and are profoundly confused what to do and what not to do. Even if you are living in a joint family, it’s a great chance to make a place in your in-law’s heart by helping them in arranging all the things essential for commencing puja. It is for sure, they would get impressed by your deep knowledge and devotion. So here in this article, we are going to tell how you should perform the Navratri puja or what are the essentials to get the blessings of Maa Durga for happy and prosperous married life.

Navratri is a celebration which marks the celebration of the arrival of Maa Durga idols in the home as Jhanjhi, an effigy of Maa Durga in Pandals, Dandiya, Garba, fast, prayers, Vrat ka khana and above all lip-smacking Kuttu ki pakodi. So, Here is a step by step method on how to perform Navratri Puja or what are the requirements to perform the puja

During Navratri, we invoke the goddess in our home. So first clean the house and sprinkle Ganga water in the whole house to welcome her.

Navratri Puja Vidhi Samagri or Ingredients

1) Kalash-  Keep the Kalash or Ghada filled with water containing suparis, sugar, and a coin in the Pooja room. This Kalash Sthapna is also known as Ghatasthapna .Betel leaves, betel nuts, and a coconut should be placed on the top of the Kalash. The holy red thread or commonly known as Kalawa should be tied around the neck of the Kalash. This Kalash is to be kept for the next nine days which is a symbol of Goddess.

2) Coconut– Coconut along with the red color chunri or a red color silk cloth should be kept on the top of the Kalash which is distributed as a Prasad on the last day of the fasting or in the Kanjak.

3) Khetri–  During Navratri most devotees grow Khetri or barley seeds. To grow this Khetri you need a clean mud from an auspicious or clean place. Soak the barley or “Jau” on the top of the mud and sprinkles some water daily on it. The faster-growing barley signifies the blessings of the goddess on you and your family. After the kanjak Puja, this khetri should be immersed in moving water along with the idol or you can put it in some garden for the eco-friendly environment.

4)Shringar- Offers the 16 adornments to the goddess to get the blessings for happy married life. Brings red bangles, Sindoor, Nail paint, Bindi, Mehandi etc for the goddess. You can offer these Shringar items in temples or offer to someone who is in need.

5)Akhand Jyoti-  Light the lamp of hope in the nine days of Navratri. This Lamp or Diya should be enlightened till the Navami tithi or 9th day of the Navratri. One should take care that there is enough Ghee or Oil in the Diya all the time. This Akhand Jyoti will destroy all the negativity from your surroundings and makes the environment holy.

6)Clove– Clove is an important ingredient of Puja. Offer a pair of cloves and honey in betel leaves to the goddess. Cloves are also offered to the goddess as burning with camphor and a pair of cloves together. The burning of cloves and camphor together purifies the home drive away evil eye spirits.

These are some essentials to perform the special Navratri puja. Only devotion, totality and purity in the heart is important not the rites and rituals. If you do something from your heart it definitely reaches up there to the almighty god and gives the best result. As mother goddess always loves her children, no matter how they are or what they do. She is always kind to her children and forgives them. So, this Navratri, seek the divine blessings of goddess Durga to get a prosperous, happily married life with your partner filled with love.

Happy Navratri!!

May the goddess shakti bless you on this special occasion of Navratri.