The festival of Sharadiya Navratri is very significant for followers of Mata Durga, as nine different aspects of the goddess are worshipped during these nine days. According to the Panchang, Sharadiya Navratri will begin on October 11th this year, and the Vijayadashami festival will be celebrated on October 20th.
On the first day of Navratri, worship begins in homes and temples with the installation of a Kalasha. Many devotees also light a continuous fire (Akhand Jyoti), which is kept burning throughout all nine days.
It is recommended to prepare all necessary items for the Navratri celebration in advance. It is especially important to gather the items needed for Ghatsthapana, worship of the goddess, performance of Havan, and Kanya Pujan, to avoid shortages of materials during the ritual. If you plan to observe a fast and worship Mata Durga this time, below is a complete list of materials for Puja during Sharadiya Navratri.
Necessary materials for Kalasha installation
To grow barley, earth, barley seeds, and a vessel made of clay, brass, or copper are required. Mango leaves, a small bowl to place on top of the Kalasha, grain for this bowl, coconut, a red woven cloth or chunri, mauli or kalava, roli, kumkum, sindur, and turmeric are also needed, along with akshat (whole rice), pure water, Gangajal, one coin, and supari.
Materials for worshipping Mata Durga
For worshipping Mata Durga, her statue or image, a wooden pedestal (chowki), red woven material to lay on the pedestal, roli, kumkum, and sindur, akshat, fresh flowers and floral garlands, fruits, and sweets are needed. Materials for the sixteen adornments of the goddess are also required: kamalaghatta, panchmava, paan and supari, cloves and small cardamom, batashe or other prasads, oil or ghee for the lamp, pure ghee, incense and agarbatti, turmeric, coconut, nutmeg, and javitri, dakshina (donation), as well as naivedya—the offering presented to the goddess.
Materials for continuous fire and Havan
To maintain the Akhand Jyoti, a vessel for it, cotton wicks or those made of kalava, ghee or oil, and an altar for Havan are required. Additionally, materials for Havan, turmeric, mango wood, and special types of wood and materials intended for the Nine Grahas Havan are necessary.
What is needed for Kanya Pujan?
For Kanya Pujan, roli or kumkum, akshat, flowers, mauli, fruits, sweets, halwa-puri or other delicacies, and dakshina will be required.