Durga Stuti & Arti

While performing worship of Gooddess Durga, devotees chant mantras and sing songs to win protection and welfare from the Goddess.

Durga Stuti

“Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu shri rupen sansthita
namas tasye namas tasye names tasye namo namah”

Durga Maa Aarti

Jai Ambe Gauri, Mayya Jai Shyama Gauri...
Tumko Nishidin Dhyavat, Tumko Sabdin Sevat, Hari Brahma Shivji... Jai!!

Manga Sindoor Virajat, Teeko Mrigmad Ko, Maiya Teeko Mrigmad Ko...
Ujjwal Se Dou Naina, Ujjwal Se Dou Naina, Chandra Vadan Neeko… Jai!!

Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Raje, Maiya Raktambar Raje…
Raktapushpa Galmala, Lalpushpa Galmala, Kantahan Har Saje… Jai!!

Kehari Vahan Rajat, Khadag Khappar Dhari, Maiya Khadag Khappar Dhari…
Sur Nar Munijan Sewat, Sur Nar Munijan Sewat, Tinke Dukkhahari… Jai!!

Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Moti, Maiya Nasagre Moti…
Kotik Chandra Diwakar, Kotik Surya Diwakar, Samrajat Jyoti… Jai!!

Shumbhu Nishumbha Vidare, Mahishasur Ghati, Maiya Mahishasur Ghati…
Dhoomra Vilochana Naina, Madhura Vilochana Naina, Nishidin Madmati… Jai!!

Brahmani Rudraini, Tum Kamala Rani, Maiya Tum Kamala Rani…
Aagam Nigam Bhakhani, Aagam Nigam Bhakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani… Jai!!

Chaunsath Yogini Gavet, Nritya Karen Bhairon, Maiya Nritya Karen Bhairon…
Bajat Tal Mridanga, Bajat Dhol Mridanga, Aur Bajat Dumroo… Jai!!

Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhari, Maiya Var Mudra Dhari…
Manwanchhit Phal Pavat, Man Iccha Phal Pavat, Sewat Nar Nari… Jai!!

Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapoor Bati, Maiya Agar Kapoor Bati…
Malketu Mein Rajat, Malketu Men Rajat, Koti Ratan Jyoti… Jai!!

Durgaji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gave, Maiya Jo Sunder Gave…
Kahat Shivananda Swami, Ratata Shivananda Swami, Sukh Sampati Pave!!

Jai Ambe Gauri, Mayya Jai Shyama Gauri...
Tumko Nishidin Dhyavat, Tumko Sabdin Sevat, Hari Brahma Shivji!!
Bolo Durge Maiyya ki Jai!!!

Performing Navratri Puja

Goddess Durga is worshiped in these nine days with full color and reverence. All through the 9 days, devotees sing prayers, make sweets for offering, chant mantras and do fasting. All over India, navratri is celebrated but the preparation and methods are different depending on the regions. Bengalis have their different methods and South Indians have their own wats. But all worship Goddess Durga. Although the elements required in each puja are more or less the same.



Some of the items required for Navratri preparation

* Picture or Idol of Goddess Durga
* Dress and decorative items for Goddess Durga
* Durga Sapthashati book
* Small bowl of water
* Kalash filled with water with mango leaves and coconut on top
* Roli, moli, rice, betel leaves, betel nuts
* Cloves, cardamom, sindoor, powdered colors (gulal)
* Dhoop, deepak, matchsticks
* Fresh flowers such as roses, sunflowers
* Different types of fruits such
* Sweets
* Panchpatra containing spoon and water
* Sitting mat

Process or method of doing Navratri puja

Goddess Durga is cleaned and decorated. On a high stand or stool Goddess Durga is kept. A kalash filled with water is placed in front of the Goddess but below and not on the stool. Mango leaves are added on the top and a coconut is kept in the center. Moli is tied around the kalash.

Puja is done using rice, flowers and roli. Sweets and fruits are also offered to the Goddess. Durga Chalisa or Devi Kavach is read. In the end Durga arti is done.

On 8th or 9th day, a feast comprising of semolina halwa, puree, masala black chickpea dishes is made and offered to 9 girls. After the feast the girls are even offered bandles, dresses or money.

The Navratri Days

The nine days comprise of special feasting and fasting routines with worship of all the forms of Goddess Durga.

1- 3 Navratri Days

In some regions, in the worship place a small bed of mud is prepared in which barley seeds are sown on the first day. At the end of Navratri when these seeds have grown into small shoots, they are given to devotees as a blessing from Goddess Durga. The first day is called Mahalaya. The face of the goddess remains covered until the bodhon (unveiling) ritual is performed on Sasthi - the sixth day.

4- 6th day of Navratri

Goddess Lakshmi of peace and prosperity is worshiped in these days. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.

7- 8th day of Navratri

The last few dyas are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. On the 8th day, a yagna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.



9th day of Navratri

The last day is Mahanavami, when Kanya Puja is performed. Feets of 9 girls are washed followed by a feast for them. Even new clothes and gifts are given.

Legend Behind Durga Puja

According to Markandeya Purana, Durga Puja celebrates the killing of demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga and is referred as Devimahatmya or Durga Sapta Sati. Devimahatmya consists of 700 hymns grouped in 537 sections and is recited during the Navaratri and Durga Puja to commemorate the victory of good over evil.

The Story

Mahishasura was born with head of a buffalo and human body. He defeated both Gods and Demons and captured the Heaven. Gods led by Brahma they approached Vishnu and Shiva. Knowing everything they were infuriated. This anger took shape of Goddess Durga who was powerful than all the Gods.

All the Gods gave her their different weapons. Shiva gace the trident, Vishnu the discus, Varuna the conch, Agni the spear, Yama the cudgel, Vayu the bow, Surya the arrows, Indra the vajra, Kubera the mace, Brahma the water pot, Kala the sword and Vishwakarma gave the axe. Therefore in each of her twelve hands she holds a different god's weapon. Lion was given by Himavan.

When Mahishasura saw Goddess Durga, he fell in love with her and sought to marry her. The goddess agree on the condition that if he defeated her in the battle. For nine days the terrible battle continued. On ninth day Durga took form of Chandika and killed Mahishasura by pinning him down with her foot and piercing a spear in his neck and finally cutting his head off with her sword.

Sharad Navratri Calendar 2009

Also known as Maha Navratri due to its great significance, Sharad Navratri is observed for nine days and nine nights during the Hindu Sharad month(September-October), three days each for the worship of three different aspects of Mother Shakti. Goddess Durga for the first three days, as Goddess Lakshmi for the next three days and as Goddess Saraswati for the final three days. The Bengalis celebrate the slaying of demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga.


September 19th – Navratri, Festival of Nine Nights begin.
September 24th – Durga Puja Begins - Durga Sashti puja.
September 25th, 2009 – Maha Saptami Puja/ Saraswati Avahan Puja in some parts in North India
September 26th – Durga Ashtami Puja.
September 27, 2009 – Navratri Ends. Mahanavami Puja/ Saraswathi Puja and Ayudha Pooja in South India
September 28th – Vijaya Dashami and Dusshera

Navratri Festival Celebration

In sanskrit, Navratri means 'nine nights'. Nav means Nine and Ratri means Night. Navratri is a Hindu Festival celebrated to worship nine forms of Shakti (Parvati or Durga) (Hindu Mother Goddess)during the nine nights and nine days. According to the lunar calendar, the dates of navratri are determined.


Although there are 5 Navaratris devoted to the worship of Shakti . But only 3 are being celebrated now-

Sharad Navaratri - Also known as Maha Navratri, having greater significance. It is celebrated during Sharad month ( according to Hindu calendar i.e beginning of winter, September-October).

Vasant Navaratri - This is celebrated during Vasant (according to Hindu calendar start of summer, March- April).

Ashada Navaratri - This Navratri is particularly celebrated by Upasakas of Varahi in Ashada month (July-August)

The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion. Her various incarnations - Kumari, Parvati and Kali - are worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman. Next three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity), dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge), dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan. Sweetmeats are prepared for the celebrations. Children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances.

Navaratri is a festival celebrated all over India in different ways. In North India, all three Navratris are usually celebrated with much fervor and rigorous fasting of all nine days and worshipping the Goddess Durga in her different forms. The Chaitra Navratri culmintes in Ram Navami and the Sharad Navratri culminates in Durga Puja and Dussehra.

With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than merely a religious one. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Goddess Durga, as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the celebrations of Navratri, year by year.