Navami is a busy day: kanya pooja, guests, prasad and the havan itself. A pandit leads the homam in the right order so the family can focus on the day.
Why it is done
Navami is the ninth day of Navratri, and many families close their Navratri observance with a havan and prayers to Durga. Some families do kanya pooja the same day. Customs vary.
Who it is for
Families who observe Navratri and do havan on Navami; households that follow the nine-day tradition and want a pandit-led closing ritual.
When to do it
Navami follows the panchang each year, and the pandit can suggest muhurat options for your date and city. Your family's custom takes priority.
Choose your ceremony
About 1 hour for the standard ceremony; about 1.5 hours for the extended one.
- Live video puja: A live video version works well if the family is abroad or in another city: the pandit leads on video and you follow along at home. You arrange the samagri yourself, and a helper at home makes it easier.
- Standard: The standard ceremony: about 11 steps over roughly 1 hour with one pandit, covering Ganesh worship, sankalp, Durga worship and havan.
- Extended: The extended ceremony: about 16 steps over roughly 1.5 hours with one pandit, with a fuller sequence and more offerings.
Choose the standard for a compact family havan. Choose the extended if you are hosting more guests or want more time.
Choose 'With samagri' and the pandit brings the ritual items. Choose 'Own samagri' if you already have them or prefer to buy them yourself. The Vedic Rituals Havan Pooja Kit packs related essentials if you want to arrange samagri yourself; your pandit will tell you if anything specific to this ritual needs adding.
The sequence
- Ganesh worship
- Purification and sankalp
- Durga worship
- Lighting of the havan
- Offerings with mantras
- Purnahuti
- Aarti
- Prasad and teertha
How to prepare
- Clean the space and set up the havan area
- Arrange a fire-safe spot with water nearby
- Keep the Durga image or kalash from your Navratri pooja ready
- Plan kanya pooja timing around the havan if you do both
- Decide whether you will use the pandit's samagri or your own
Who should attend
The household. Many families have the couple or head of the family sit at the havan, with others joining for the aarti and prasad.
Your tradition
Some families do the havan after kanya pooja and others before. Practice varies by region.
Safety
Havan involves an open flame and smoke. Use a stable heat-safe surface, keep the room ventilated, keep water nearby, and keep flames away from curtains, children and pets. Follow your building's rules on havan in common areas.
Questions
Do we do kanya pooja the same day? Many families do, but the order and timing vary.
How long should I plan for? About 1 hour for the standard and about 1.5 hours for the extended homam.
Do we need to be fasting? Practice varies. Some families keep a fast through Navratri and break it after the havan.
Can we do it on video? Often yes. You arrange samagri and a safe havan setup at home.
Can we book a pandit for Navami day? Pandits are in demand on festival days. Book early and confirm the slot.