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Goddess Worship & Lifestyle
Navratri is a sacred festival honoring the Divine Feminine (Shakti) over nine nights — a time of devotion, reflection, and renewal. You need not be Hindu to join in. A simple puja with lamp, mantra, and offering invites peace into your home, while lifestyle choices in food, purity, and daily rhythm let the Goddess shine through your life. On this page, we share guidance for both.
Celebrating Navratri with Puja: A Simple Guide
Navratri is a sacred festival that honors the Divine Feminine (Shakti) over nine nights, a time for devotion, reflection, and inner growth. You don’t have to be Hindu to embrace the spirit of Navratri and perform a simple puja (ritual) at home. Through puja, meditation, chanting, and offerings, you can invite peace and divine presence into your life. You can also incorporate certain lifestyle measures that help connect you to the goddess. On this page we discuss both these important sadhana's.
What is Puja?
Puja is a devotional ritual offering to the Divine. Whether simple or elaborate, it involves lighting a lamp, offering flowers or food, and chanting mantras. During Navratri, the pujas are dedicated to different forms of the goddess, invoking her strength, wisdom, and compassion.
Puja is a beautiful, ritualistic expression of reverence—a way to connect deeply with the goddess using your speech (through mantras), body (by lighting a lamp, incense or atleast a candle), and mind (by focusing your thoughts on the goddess of the day). It’s a meaningful and mindful time spent at your home altar, immersing yourself in the goddess’s presence
How to Perform a Simple Navratri Puja
During Navratri, puja is not about complexity, but sincerity. Even with simple steps, you can invite the Goddess into your heart and home.
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Take a shower – cleanse your body and mind to begin fresh.
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Light the lamp – ghee, sesame, or peanut oil with a cotton wick.
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Offer incense – let its fragrance carry your prayer.
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Place fresh flowers – one blossom is enough if given with love.
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Chant or sing – repeat a mantra (see below) or sing any divine feminine hymn (from any tradition) that lifts your spirit.
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Dialogue with the Goddess – speak openly from your heart, or sit silently in Her presence.
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Conclude with gratitude – bow your head and rest in stillness.
Mantras to Sing Together
You may choose one or two of these simple chants. Repeat them slowly, with feeling:
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः
Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
(“Salutations to Goddess Durga, remover of difficulties”)
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayei Vichche
(A protective Navratri mantra honoring all the Goddess'es
ॐ श्रीं श्रियै नमः
Om Shreem Shreya Namah
(Invocation of Goddess Lakshmi, for grace and abundance)
ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः
Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
(Invocation of Goddess Saraswati, for wisdom and clarity)
You can also chant other mantras you know at any point.
Offer flowers, incense, lit lamp. turmeric and kum kum and rice are traditionally
offered in puja to the goddess.
The Traditional Puja Plate
For those who wish to observe a more Vedic form of worship, a simple puja plate can hold all you need to honor the Goddess:
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Haldi (turmeric) and Kumkum (vermilion): for auspicious marks — easily available online.
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Rice grains: symbols of abundance and life.
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Fresh flowers: the fragrance of devotion. (ideally hand picked or store bought)
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Water in a small metal or copper cup: for offereing to Maa. (never drink from this cup)
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A fruit: the sweetness of nature, offered back to its Source.
How to Use It in Your Puja
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After your shower, light the lamp and place the puja plate before it.
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Sprinkle a little water from the plate around the lamp and altar, silently invoking purity.
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Offer haldi, kumkum, and rice by touching a small pinch to your forehead and then placing some before the Goddess, whispering: “This is Yours, O Mother (idam na mama.”
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Offer a fresh flower in the same way, saying: “This is Yours, O Mother (idam na mama).”
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Light incense and let its fragrance carry your prayer upward - “This is Yours, O Mother (idam na mama).”
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Place the fruit on the plate or before the image, saying again: “This is Yours, O Mother (idam namama).”
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Now chant the mantras — one or two simple ones, slowly and with feeling (choose from Durga, Lakshmi, or Saraswati mantras above).
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After chanting, sit quietly — speak to the Goddess in your own words, or simply let your heart rest in Her presence.
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Some keep their dialogue short, some pour out all that is within. Both are accepted equally. The steps, offerings, and mantras are the doorway; the conversation is where She enters.
Your Simple Puja Shopping List
You don’t need much to perform a heartfelt Navratri puja. Many items may already be in your kitchen; others can be ordered easily online.
Essentials
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Haldi (Turmeric Powder) – symbol of purity and auspiciousness
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Kumkum (Vermilion Powder) – for sacred marks of blessing
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Rice Grains – symbol of abundance and life
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Fresh Flowers – from your garden or local store
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Fresh Fruit – any fruit to offer as naivedya (sacred food)
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Incense Sticks or Cones – to fragrance the space
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Ghee or Oil (Sesame / Peanut) – for the lamp
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Cotton Wicks – to light your lamp
Optional
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Puja Plate – often stainless steel, brass, or other metals; a simple tray will also do. You can find plain ones or beautifully decorated versions online.
Where to Find
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Amazon / Etsy – search “puja plate,” “cotton wicks,” “kumkum,” “haldi turmeric powder,” “incense sticks”
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Indian grocery stores (online or local) – often stock haldi, kumkum, wicks, and incense
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Local florist or grocery store – for fresh flowers and fruit
Keep it simple. The items themselves are less important than the devotion with which you offer them. Even with a single flower and a candle, your puja will be complete in the eyes of the Goddess.
A Reminder from the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita 9.26
“If one offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even a little water, I accept that loving gift from the sincere heart.”
This verse is the heart of puja. Even if you offer just one leaf, one flower, one piece of fruit, or a spoon of water, it is enough. All the rest — incense, lamps, plates, powders — are for when you have the time, the joy, or the desire. There is no rule, no force. Even the simplest offering, made with love, reaches the Goddess. You may change it every day, or keep it as simple as you wish.
Different Puja Flavors
Sadhvi Ishani is a lifelong student of Acharya Shunya,and a respected teacher in this lineage. Watch the video above to check out the goddess blessed puja offereings by Sadhvi Ishani's daughters.
Video from Acharya Shunya's Home
Additional Suggestions:
Navratri puja is a beautiful way to invite the qualities of the goddess into your life—strength, wisdom, and love. Whether you chant mantras, meditate, or simply sit in silent reflection, these simple practices open your heart and create a connection with the Divine Feminine. You can personalize this experience, speaking to the goddess in your own words or using mantras that resonate with you.
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Sattvic Space: Your altar and space should feel pure and harmonious. Candles, incense, and fresh flowers help create a sattvic (peaceful and pure) atmosphere. Consistently maintaining this space enhances the energy of your practice.
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Timing and Cleanliness: Perform the puja at the same time each day, preferably in the morning or evening. It’s best to shower before puja, as physical cleanliness is considered part of the devotion. A clean space and body reflect your readiness to connect with the Divine.
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Incense: If not allergic, lighting incense is an important part of purifying your environment and creating a peaceful mood.
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Offering Food: After you’ve prepared a meal, offering a portion to the goddess before you eat is an act of gratitude and devotion. You can offer fruit, sweets, or a small amount of your meal, making it a sacred part of your daily life.
Establishing the Goddess
When you bring home an idol of the Goddess — whether newly purchased or one you have long kept — remember that She is already all-pervading, dwelling in sky, earth, fire, air, and heart. The idol is not Her prison, but Her home: a place where the Infinite agrees to dwell in form, so we may approach Her with intimacy.
To establish the idol (pratishtha), you may perform a simple bathing ritual.
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Prepare three bowls: First water – to cleanse.
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Then milk (sometimes mixed with honey, turmeric, or even a drop of incense water) – to nourish and sweeten.
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Finally water again – to refresh and seal.
Gently pour each over the idol, or lightly dip a flower in each bowl and sprinkle if the idol is delicate. If you submerged the idol in the bowls, you may now gently wipe it dry with a clean towel reserved for your altar. Typically a cloth is laid out first (known as the Pooja Aasan before placing the idol or image on it.
Gingerly place the idol in its position on the altar colth, while softly chanting:
ॐ शक्त्यै नमः Om Shaktyai Namaha
(Salutations to the Mother Shakti, the one Goddess in all forms)
This invocation covers all the Goddesses — Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and the many forms of the Divine Mother. If you worship other sacred forms — Mother Mary, a Goddess of another culture, a sacred stone or crystal — you may follow the same procedure: cleansing, nourishing, refreshing, and then welcoming the Divine Presence to abide in the form for these nine nights of Navratri.
Offering Food to the Goddess
In the Vedic tradition, cooking itself is worship. Each grain of rice, each lentil, each vegetable is seen as a child of the earth, blessed by sun, rain, and wind. When we bring these elements together in our kitchen, we are already in yajna mode — a sacred act of offering.
During Navratri, food prepared with mindfulness becomes naivedya (that which is offered). Place a portion at your altar, before the lamp and the Goddess, so She may “taste” it first. The Goddess does not consume with a body, but with presence — She partakes of the fragrance, the devotion, the love that rose while you cooked.
Traditionally, simple sattvic foods are offered: plain rice, ghee, dal, milk sweets, or seasonal fruits. Yet the heart matters more than the dish. Even a single apple slice, placed with sincerity, becomes divine food.
When you later share or eat this prasada, know that you are receiving back what was first touched by Her grace. In this way, the act of eating itself is sanctified.
Fruits and cooked foods (Sattvic, no meat, no eggs, no seafood, no onions, no garlic, no chillies) are offered before being consumed.
Navratri Lifestyle
If you are a devotee of Divine Mother, Navratri is a beautiful time to steep your home in sattvic (pure, illuminated, positive) vibrations that emerge from Puja---and expose your children and animals and elders to the Divine Light. Feel free to explore more by clicking on the videos below.
Living the Nine Days Gently
Navratri is not only about what we do at the altar, but also how we live each day. For nine days, allow yourself to breathe more slowly, to move with less rush, to relax into the arms of the Goddess.
This may mean creating more space than usual: not going out in the evenings, declining social invitations, or setting aside tasks that can wait. Instead, give yourself the gift of stillness — journaling, listening to uplifting music, reading sacred words, or writing your reflections. Stay close to the pulse of the festival by joining the community forum, sharing your insights, or simply reading and appreciating others’ offerings.
Deliberately carve out these nine days as a sacred pause. By choosing quietness over activity, reflection over distraction, you will discover that the Goddess is not far away at all — She is right here, breathing with you.
The Navratri Lifestyle has many beautiful facets - which includes dressing in clothes that remind us of good Shakti (any style or fashion, as long as it empowers you and pleases you), eating like a goddess, pampering ourselves like a goddess and offering worship to her, daily over the 9 days and nights, so we grow closer to her every day.
Check In with the Goddess Often
To embody the Goddess of the day, pause and remember that She lives within you, blessing you from inside.
Find a quiet moment where you won’t be disturbed.
Place both hands on your heart and gently ask: “How am I, truly, right now?”
Acknowledge your emotions without judgment — this is how the Goddess speaks through your heart.
You can even set a phone reminder to pause during the day and reconnect.
Instead of answering from the head, practice answering from the heart. This small check-in brings you back to the Goddess again and again.
Chant to Return to the Goddess Within
To support your heart’s check-ins throughout the day, you can chant this timeless mantra aloud — or, if chanting feels new, simply read its meaning aloud with intention and feeling.
Mantra:
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।
Transliteration:
Om Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya
Mrityor Ma Amritamgamaya
Om Shantiḥ Shantiḥ Shantiḥ
Meaning:
O Divine Mother,
Lead me from the unreal to the Real,
From the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge,
From mortality to immortality — the Self that never dies.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
Practice Tip: Pause once or twice a day, place your hands on your heart, and chant or read these lines with sincerity. Even a few breaths with this prayer can re-anchor you in the Goddess Self within.
So much is possible when we dare to turn back and begin the search within. The Goddesses await you there, helping you reclaim the divine powers you already carry.
The Most Powerful Inner Ritual: Conscious Acceptance
Sometimes the greatest ritual is not outer, but inner. Even if you change nothing outside, adopting a conscious attitude during Navratri can transform your experience.
Attitude One: Offer All Actions to the Goddess
Act deliberately, with the awareness that everything you do — at work, in relationships, while cooking, teaching, writing, or even tending your garden — can be offered to the Divine Mother. When every act becomes an offering, the ego feels lighter. You are no longer the solitary “actor”; you are the divine actor on a divine stage, moved by Her will.
Attitude Two: Accept Outcomes as Grace
Once actions are offered, accept whatever returns — success, failure, joy, or challenge — as the Will of the Goddess. Even when outcomes are not what you wished for, they may be exactly what your soul needs for growth. In this way, nothing is wasted. Success becomes a blessing, and even apparent failure becomes Her hidden grace.
A seeker once shared: “When I stopped manipulating outcomes and began surrendering results to the Goddess, blessings poured in like rushing rivers. Life shifted from stagnation to flow, from control to miracles.”
Through offering and acceptance, life itself becomes the puja, and every experience becomes the Goddess speaking to you.
Yogic Breath to Evoke the Goddess
The breath is one of the most direct ways to connect with the Goddess. In the Vedic and yogic traditions, different breathing practices are said to awaken distinct aspects of Shakti. By practicing with reverence, you allow the Divine Feminine to move through your body and mind.
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Bhramari (Humming Bee Breath) — Lakshmi’s Energy
Sit quietly, close your eyes, and inhale deeply. On the exhale, hum gently like a bee. The soft vibration calms the nervous system and fills the heart with sweetness, much like Goddess Lakshmi who brings harmony, beauty, and abundance.
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Bhastrika (Bellows Breath) — Durga’s Energy
Sit tall. Inhale and exhale forcefully through the nose in rapid succession, like the pumping of a bellows. This fiery breath awakens strength, courage, and determination — invoking Goddess Durga’s protective, warrior energy. Practice for a few rounds, then rest.
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Udgita Praṇayama (Chanting OM) — Saraswati’s Energy
Inhale slowly, and on the exhale chant a long, resonant OM. Let the sound flow from your belly, through the chest, and up to the crown. This sacred vibration awakens clarity, insight, and wisdom — the gifts of Goddess Saraswati.
How to Practice: Choose the breath that calls to you, practice for 3–5 minutes, and then sit silently, noticing the presence of the Goddess within. Always practice gently, and if you feel strain, return to natural breathing.
A Gentle Daily Rhythm for Navratri
Think of these nine days as a sacred retreat woven into your everyday life. You don’t need to withdraw completely; instead, allow the rhythm of each day to slow and soften.
Morning
Begin with a shower and light the lamp at your altar. You can be elaborate or minimal in your morning rituals - follow your heart.
Offer flowers, chant one or two mantras, and sit quietly for a few minutes.
Journal a line or two about your heart’s state as you begin the day.
Afternoon
Take a short pause — even 5 minutes — to breathe, sip tea mindfully, or listen to soothing music.
Revisit your journal if you wish, noting a word or phrase that reflects your inner mood.
Evening
Light the lamp again as dusk falls. Offer incense or fruit to the Goddess.
Read a page of scripture or a poem, or join the community forum to feel connected.
End the evening with soft music, contemplation, or gratitude.
Optional Retreat Vows
Avoid late-night outings or social invitations.
Choose nourishing foods, cook heartfully in devotion, offer to teh goddess first, then eat quietly.
Limit media and screens; turn instead toward silence and reflection.
By honoring this rhythm, you will find Navratri unfolding not just as ritual, but as a living, breathing, nine-day retreat in the heart of your own home.
A Goddess-Evoking Mantra for Every Morning
Mantra is sacred sound — not random words, but divine syllables carrying Shakti, the creative power of the universe. When we chant, our whole being vibrates with the presence of the Goddess, filling us from head to toe with her energy.
One beautiful morning mantra invokes Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga together in our own hands:
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये सरस्वती ।
करमूले स्थितागौरी मंगलं करदर्शनम् ॥
Karāgre Vasate Lakshmih
Karamadhye Sarasvati |
Karamūle Sthitā Gauri
Mangalam Karadarshanam ||
At my fingertips dwells Lakshmi, goddess of abundance.
In the center of my palms rests Saraswati, goddess of wisdom.
At the base of my hands abides Durga (Gauri), goddess of power.
It is auspicious to behold my hands at dawn.
How to Practice:
Upon waking, bring your hands together and gaze at them softly. First, look at your fingertips and remember abundance. Then, look into your palms and feel wisdom. Finally, look at your wrists and recall strength and courage. Recite or think the mantra as you do so.
This short ritual aligns you with the Goddess each morning, and you can repeat it anytime during the day for a gentle reminder of the Shakti within.
Morning Goddess Affirmation
In my fingertips is abundance. (Lakshmi)
In my palms is wisdom. (Saraswati)
In my wrists is strength and courage. (Durga/Gauri)
Gaze at your hands as you say this. Let it remind you that the powers of the Goddess already live within you.
Goddess Choices: A Brief Presentation
Three Mudras to Invoke the Goddess
Mudras are sacred hand gestures that channel divine energy through the body. Each Goddess can be invoked with a simple mudra that embodies Her qualities.
1. Durga Mudra – Gesture of Fearlessness
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How: Extend your right arm forward, straight and steady. Touch the thumb lightly to the heart center. Extend the little finger outward, while the other fingers remain folded.
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Meaning: Symbolizes Durga’s protective, fearless energy.
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Practice: Hold the hand steady, breathe deeply, and silently repeat: “Om Dum Durgayei Namaha.”
2. Lakshmi Mudra – Gesture of Giving (Varada Mudra)
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How: Place your right hand open, palm facing outward and downward, as if blessings are flowing through your fingers.
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Meaning: Represents Lakshmi’s generosity, grace, and abundance pouring into the world.
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Practice: Imagine streams of prosperity and harmony flowing from your hand, softly saying: “Om Shreem Shreya Namaha.”
3. Saraswati Mudra – Gesture of Knowledge (Jnana Mudra)
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How: Touch the tip of the thumb and index finger together, forming a circle. Keep the other three fingers extended, palm facing upward on the knees.
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Meaning: Opens the channel of wisdom, clarity, and creativity.
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Practice: Sit in meditation with this mudra while chanting: “Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha.”
How to Use: Choose one mudra each day, or rotate among them. Hold gently for 3–5 minutes while breathing steadily, then release.
Navratri Is Never Spent Alone
Remember, Navratri is never meant to be spent alone. It is our great fortune to belong to a community that has celebrated these nine sacred nights together since 2008. Here, members of every gender, every culture, and every religion come together, held by the unifying force of the Goddess.
Do make it a point to share — a photo of your altar or food, a reflection, a question, or simply a greeting. A simple “Jai Maa” or even a friendly hello is enough. In this way, you will feel surrounded and supported, carried by the collective energy of devotion.
The Goddess shines brightest when we walk together.
Community Shares from Past Navratri Celebrations
See you in the Navratri sessions—this year and every year. Let this not be just an event, but a sadhana. Each Navratri, the Goddess draws nearer, until one day you discover Her shining as your own higher Self.
She is never far—She has always been within you.
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