Before Navratri begins
- Clean the home and mandir thoroughly; polish brass items. See our brass cleaning guide.
- Check the ghatasthapana muhurat in your local panchang.
- Buy marigolds, mango leaves, a red chunri, barley seeds and soil.
Ghatasthapana (kalash) setup
- Spread clean soil in a wide pot or tray and sow barley (jau).
- Place a kalash filled with water on or beside it, with a coin, supari and akshat inside.
- Arrange mango leaves around the mouth and place a coconut wrapped in red cloth on top.
- Tie a red thread (mauli) around the kalash.
- Water the barley daily; the sprouts are a sign of blessing.
The mandir
- Goddess Durga or Matarani on a chowki with a red cloth; see Durga idol for home.
- A red, gold or orange fabric backdrop.
- Marigold and mango-leaf torans at the mandir and main door.
- An akhand jyoti diya that burns through the nine days; see akhand diya guide.
Nine-day decoration ideas
- Change flowers daily and add a fresh garland.
- Follow the colour of the day in the backdrop cloth or chunri.
- Make a small rangoli at the entrance each day.
- Light diyas around the house in the evening.
- On Ashtami or Navami, decorate for kanya pujan with a clean seating area.
Kanya pujan at home
- Invite young girls (often nine) and, by tradition, a young boy (langur).
- Wash their feet and seat them on a clean mat.
- Apply tilak, tie a red thread and offer chunri if you wish.
- Serve puri, chana and halwa.
- Give small gifts and take their blessings.
Garba and Durga Puja at home
If you host a small garba evening, clear a space, add string lights and keep a decorated Mata's photo or idol at the centre. For Bengal-style celebrations, see Durga Puja home decor.
