Durga (Nine Forms)

Clean the puja area and spread a red cloth on the platform. Fill a copper/brass kalash with water, place mango leaves around its rim, and set a coconut on top wrapped in red cloth. Place the kalash on a bed of soil mixed with barley seeds. Light the Akhand Jyoti. Day 1 is dedicated to Maa Shailaputri — the daughter of the mountains.

Worship Maa Brahmacharini — the austere form of Parvati who performed intense tapas. Offer sugar, fruits, and white flowers. Chant the Durga Beej Mantra 108 times. Maintain the Akhand Jyoti by replenishing ghee/oil.

Worship Maa Chandraghanta — adorned with a half-moon bell on her forehead, she destroys evil. Offer milk-based sweets and yellow flowers. Ring a bell during the puja to invoke her grace.

Worship Maa Kushmanda — the creator of the cosmic egg (Brahmanda) with her smile. Offer malpua (sweet pancake) and petha (pumpkin sweet). She radiates like the sun and bestows cosmic energy.

Worship Maa Skandamata — the mother of Kartikeya (Skanda). Offer bananas and other fruits. She grants wisdom and salvation. Sit in meditation after the puja.

Worship Maa Katyayani — born in the ashrama of sage Katyayana, she is the warrior form who slew Mahishasura. Offer honey and recite the Navarna Mantra. Unmarried girls worship her for a good husband.

Worship Maa Kaalratri — the fiercest form, dark as night, who destroys ignorance and evil spirits. Offer jaggery or gur. On this day, also perform Saraswati Sthapana by placing books and instruments before the altar for blessing.

Worship Maa Mahagauri — radiant white, the purest form, who fulfils all wishes. Perform the Ashtami Havan with ghee and samagri while chanting the Durga Gayatri. Then perform Kanya Pujan — invite 9 young girls (representing 9 Devi forms), wash their feet, offer tilak, gifts, food, and sweets, and seek their blessings.

Worship Maa Siddhidatri — the bestower of all 8 Siddhis (supernatural powers). Perform the final Navami Havan with 108 ahutis (oblations) of ghee. Offer special bhog and sweets. Check the barley sprouts grown in the kalash — tall green sprouts signify a prosperous year.

Each morning: wake before sunrise, bathe, light fresh incense, offer red flowers and kumkum to the Durga idol, replenish the Akhand Jyoti with ghee, sprinkle water on the barley sprouts, chant the Durga Beej Mantra 108 times, and perform aarti. In the evening, repeat aarti and offer naivedya.

On Vijaya Dashami, perform the final aarti and seek forgiveness for any lapses during the 9 days. Remove the coconut from the kalash. Extinguish the Akhand Jyoti. Distribute the barley sprouts as prasad. Immerse the Durga idol in water (if clay) or store reverentially.