How to do the Sharad Navratri puja at home

The first morning, in the first third of the day while Pratipada holds: the jau sown, the kalash set on it, the Devi invited into it for the nine days, and the jyoti lit.

1. Ghatasthapana

   Maa's place

   1. On the east or the north side of the puja room, wash the floor where Maa will be seated.
   2. Sprinkle a little Ganga jal over the place and over yourself.
   3. Set a chowki there with a red cloth over it, and place Maa's picture or murti on it.
   4. Keep everything for the kalash within reach before you begin.

   The kalash is the Devi's seat for the nine days: it is set once, and not moved until it is taken down.

   

2. Ghatasthapana

   Achaman

   1. With the spoon, pour a little water from the lota into your right palm.
   2. Sip it once as you say each of the first three names — three sips in all.
   3. With the fourth name, pour a little water over your right hand to wash it.
   4. At the verse, dip a flower in the water and sprinkle a few drops over yourself and the puja things.

   Achaman and pavitrikaran · 6 lines

   ॐ केशवाय नमः।oṁ keśavāya namaḥ.Om, salutations to Keshava. (First sip.)

   ॐ नारायणाय नमः।oṁ nārāyaṇāya namaḥ.Om, salutations to Narayana. (Second sip.)

   ॐ माधवाय नमः।oṁ mādhavāya namaḥ.Om, salutations to Madhava. (Third sip.)

   ॐ हृषीकेशाय नमः।oṁ hr̥ṣīkeśāya namaḥ.Om, salutations to Hrishikesha. (Wash the right hand.)

   ॐ अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा।oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato'pi vā.Whether pure or impure, in whatever state one may be,

   यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः॥yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bāhyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ.whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Vishnu is made pure, without and within.
   

3. Ghatasthapana

   Ganesh ji first

   1. Turn to Ganesh ji's picture, or to a supari set on a little akshat as Ganesh ji.
   2. Offer Ganesh ji a little water, roli and akshat, and a flower.
   3. Fold your hands for the verse.

   Ganesh ji first · 3 lines

   वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha.O Deva of the curved trunk and mighty form, radiant as ten million suns,

   निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā.keep every work of mine free of obstacles, always.

   ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥oṁ gaṁ gaṇapataye namaḥ.Om gam, salutations to Ganapati.
   
5. 4. The sankalp
   5. Sow the jau
   6. Fill the kalash
   7. Avahan: invite Durga Maa
   8. The akhand jyoti

   These 5 steps, with their drawings and mantras, are in the app

Each morning after the bath: the day's form of the Devi with Her verse, the offerings, the jau watered and the jyoti tended, the path, Her bhog, and the aarti.

1. 1. The morning diya
   2. Achaman
   3. Ganesh ji first
   4. Shailaputri Maa
   5. Brahmacharini Maa
   6. Chandraghanta Maa
   7. Kushmanda Maa
   8. Skandamata Maa
   9. Katyayani Maa
   10. Kalaratri Maa
   11. Mahagauri Maa
   12. Siddhidatri Maa
   13. Asana, padya, arghya, achamaniya
   14. Snan
   15. Vastra and the chunri
   16. Chandan, kumkum and akshat
   17. Flowers
   18. Dhoop and diya
   19. The jau and the jyoti
   20. The Siddha Kunjika
   21. The Devi Kavach
   22. The Argala Stotram
   23. The Kilaka
   24. Chapter 1 · Madhu and Kaitabha
   25. Chapter 2 · Mahishasura's army
   26. Chapter 3 · Mahishasura
   27. Chapter 4 · The gods' praise
   28. Chapter 5 · The messenger
   29. Chapter 6 · Dhumralochana
   30. Chapter 7 · Chanda and Munda
   31. Chapter 8 · Raktabija
   32. Chapter 9 · Nishumbha
   33. Chapter 10 · Shumbha
   34. Chapter 11 · Narayani, and Her promise
   35. Chapter 12 · What the reading brings
   36. Chapter 13 · Suratha and the merchant
   37. The Durga Chalisa
   38. The katha
   39. The bhog
   40. Tambula, phala, dakshina
   41. The aarti
   42. Kshama prarthana

   These 42 steps, with their drawings and mantras, are in the app

At sunset each evening: the diya, the aarti, and the jyoti tended for the night.

1. 1. The evening diya
   2. The aarti
   3. Kshama prarthana
   4. The jyoti for the night

   These 4 steps, with their drawings and mantras, are in the app