Navaratri worship

Hari Aum.

There are many ways of worshipping the Divine Mother during Navaratri. I am sharing some simple ideas for this here (these are available online):

1. Chanting of mantras:

Om Shri Durgayai Namah
Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah
Om Shri Saraswatyai Namah

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vicche (navarna mantra)

Durga gayatri mantra:  Om Katyayanyai vidmahe, Kanyakumaryai dhimahi, tanno Durga prachodayat

Lakshmi gayatri mantra: Om Mahadevyai cha vidmahe, Vishnupatnyai cha dhimahi, tanno Lakshmi prachodayat

Saraswati gayatri mantra: Om Vagdevyai cha vidmahe, Kamarajayai dhimahe, tanno Devi prachodayat


2. Chanting of slokas

- Saptasloki Durga (a miniature version of the Durga saptashati or Devi Mahatmyam for those who cannot chant the entire scripture in Sanskrit)- I like chanting this.

- Chanting of ashtakams (prayer with 8 slokas)- e.g. Mahalakshmi ashtakam

- 32 names of Durga

-Mahishasura mardini strothram- composed by Adi Shankaracharya (again meant to be helpful for those who cannot chant the entire Durga saptashati)

3. Chanting longer hymns and prayers:

-Lalita sahasranama (1000 names of the Divine Mother)

-Devi Mahatyam (also called Chandi path and Durga saptashati)- 700 slokas in praise of the Divine Mother's lilas and glories

Performance of ceremonial worship such as pujas and homams are also popular during navaratri.

I personally like chanting simple mantras and the Saptasloki Durga during navaratri as well as doing some kirtan in Her praise.

Hari Aum Tat Sat