Festival pujas Navratri
Navratri Puja in Bay Area · Hindi
Ghatasthapana on the first day and daily worship of the nine forms of Durga through Navratri, ending with Kanya Puja and Vijayadashami.
Why is Navratri Puja performed?
Each night honours one of the Navadurga — Shailaputri to Siddhidatri — for strength, protection and prosperity.
Who performs it?
Hindu families everywhere, with garba in Gujarat, golu in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and Durga Puja in Bengal.
When to perform it
Sharad Navratri in Ashwin (September–October) is the main one; Chaitra Navratri in spring ends with Ram Navami. Ghatasthapana is done in the morning of Pratipada.
Preparing at home
Prepare the kalash with soil and barley, an akhand jyoti lamp with enough oil or ghee, a red chunari, and the fasting foods your family uses.
After the puja
After Navami the sprouted barley is distributed as prasad or immersed, and Vijayadashami is celebrated as the victory of good over evil.
Regional traditions
Gujarat celebrates with garba and dandiya; Bengal with Durga Puja; Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with golu displays; North India with fasting, Ramlila and Kanya Puja.
Things to avoid
If you keep an akhand jyoti, make sure it is safe from curtains and draughts and that someone is always home.
Puja vidhi — step by step
- Ghatasthapana — On Pratipada, barley is sown in soil and a kalash placed on it.
- Akhand jyoti — Many families keep a lamp burning all nine days.
- Daily puja — Worship of the day's form of the goddess, recitation of Durga Saptashati or chalisa, and aarti.
- Kanya Puja — On Ashtami or Navami, young girls are worshipped and fed.
- Visarjan — On Dashami the kalash and sprouted barley are immersed.
Families and pandits follow different traditions; your pandit may add or skip steps.
Samagri — what you need
- Roli / kumkum
- Haldi (turmeric)
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- Flowers and garlands
- Incense sticks
- Diya, ghee and cotton wicks
- Camphor
- Betel leaves and supari
- Fruits
- Sweets for prasad
- Coconut
- Kalash with mango leaves
- Gangajal
- Red/yellow cloth for the altar
- Clay pot and soil
- Barley or wheat seeds (jau)
- Red chunari
- Akhand jyoti lamp
Most pandits bring the special items; confirm the list when they contact you. Full Navratri samagri list
Aarti & mantra for this puja
Pandits in Bay Area
No pandits in Bay Area are listed on MyPujaWorld yet — send a request below and our coordinator will find one who speaks Hindi. Are you a pandit in Bay Area? List your services free.
Temples in Bay Area
Many families perform Navratri Puja at a temple, or ask the temple office to recommend a priest.
- Balaji Temple, San Jose Balaji (Venkateswara)
- Shiv Durga Temple of Bay Area Durga
Upcoming pujas and festivals in Bay Area
- Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja 2026 October 16 (Fri) – 18 (Sun), 2026
- Agomoni Durga Puja 2026, San Ramon October 16 (Fri) – 18 (Sun), 2026
Request a pandit in Bay Area
Need a pandit for Navratri Puja? Tell us your city, language and date — a coordinator will contact you on WhatsApp. No payment on MyPujaWorld.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a pandit for Navratri Puja in Bay Area?
Fill in the Request a Pandit form on this page with your date and preferred language (Hindi). A coordinator will contact you on WhatsApp with a pandit available in Bay Area.
What is the muhurat for Ghatasthapana?
In the morning of Pratipada, avoiding Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga where possible — see our Navratri dates.
Can I do Navratri puja without a pandit?
Yes, many families do the daily puja themselves.
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