Staying Abroad: Worship the Goddess in your home

Goddess sees intention, not action. You can worship Goddess in your home as well. Just take care of few things and follow some simple procedure;

Navratri, the special occasion to celebrate the victory of good over evil, to worship the Goddess that annihilated Mahishasur. Our Holy Scriptures tell about the story when Mahishasur, with the power of boon from Brahma Ji, created havoc and then Shri Hari Vishnu, Shiv Ji and Brahma Ji created Goddess Durga to end the reign of terror and injustice. The word ‘Navratri’ is derived from Sanskrit that means Nine Nights. We celebrate nine different manifestations of Goddess Durga in these nine days,

Day 1 – Shailputri

Day 2 – Brahmacharini

Day 3 – Chandraghanta

Day 4 – Kushmanda

Day 5 – Skandamata

Day 6 – Katyayani

Day 7 – Kaalratri

Day 8 – Mahagauri

Day 9 – Siddhidatri

Navratri also signifies the change in the season, spring or autumn. Like Mitochondrion is the powerhouse of a cell, Goddess Durga is the powerhouse of the whole universe.

In these nine days, take care of the cleanliness of yourself and that of home. Avoid non-vegetarian food, liquor, hair cut and nail clipping. Do fasting of nine days if possible. If nine days of fasting is not possible for you, do fasting on day one and day nine. Sage of Gods Narad muni suggested fasting of nine days and worshipping of Goddess Durga to Shri Ram to enable him to kill Ravan.

It is important to pay attention to your health and advice of your doctor. Do not starve yourself even if you are observing fasting for two or nine days.

People often ask me how to observe nine days of worship as they live at a place where there are no temples nearby. Hear this – Goddess sees intention, not action. You can worship Goddess in your home as well. Just take care of few things and follow some simple procedure;

• Akhand Jyoti
• Keep a lighted Diya at all times during these nine days in front of the idol or picture of the Goddess. Keep this Diya on the left side and light incense stick on the right side. After you light Diya, do not leave the house vacant, at least one person should stay at home.
• • Kalash Sthapana
• Take a clean pot, preferably made of brass, fill it with water (Ganga Jal, if available). Then dip few mango leaves in the water, if available. Take a coconut, wrap it with red cloth and tie sacred red thread (Mauli) around it, place it on top of the pot. Place the pot in front of the idol or the picture of the Goddess.
• • Offerings
• After placing Kalash, offer sandalwood powder and red scarf or stole or saree to the Goddess. Place fresh flowers in front of her. Offer one betel leaf (paan) and a clove if you are unmarried and two betel leaves with a clove if you are married. Place some sweets in front of the Goddess then chant this mantra 11 times;
• Om ainm hreem kleem chamunday vichche namah
• ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुंडायै विच्चे नमः
• • Lastly, distribute sweets in the family.
• If you wish, you may read Chapter 13 of Durga Saptashati that is related to asking for forgiveness and seek the blessing of the Goddess. Alternatively, you may contact us for our online personalised Durga Puja, it will benefit you with the blessing of the Goddess from within the comfort of your home.
• Daily bath, cleanliness and personal hygiene are very important during Navratri.