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 ones 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 Mothers 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 Ambe Gauri Arti in Hindi 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!