Ashtami homa-havan: the traditional steps, from preparation to purnahuti
On Durga Ashtami in Navratri, devotees perform homa-havan; here is the traditional sequence of the ritual, which varies by family custom and region.
Worshipping Goddess Durga on Ashtami during Navratri is a long-standing tradition. On this day, many homes and temples perform a homa-havan along with the Durga Ashtami puja. Devotees believe that performing the homa-havan by the prescribed method brings the goddess's blessings and keeps happiness, peace and prosperity in the home.
The puja includes several rites, such as Ganapati puja, kalash sthapana, matrika puja, agni sthapana, navagraha puja and the Durga Saptashati havan. Here is the traditional method of performing the Ashtami homa-havan, step by step.
First comes the preparation. Before the homa-havan begins, the necessary puja items are gathered and the yajna kund is arranged. In the traditional method, the kund is made on the east side as a square structure of bricks, and filled with pure earth and fragrant substances. A wooden stool is placed nearby, with three mounds of rice on it.
Copper kalash filled with water are placed on two of the mounds, and plates holding rice and betel nuts are placed on the kalash. These kalash are worshipped as symbols of Varun Dev. A betel nut is placed on the third mound as a symbol of Ganapati. Fruits, betel leaves, dried dates, almonds, dried coconut, coconut, flowers, turmeric, kumkum, ghee, sesame and samidha (sacrificial twigs) are arranged for the puja.
The homa-havan begins with Ganapati puja. Ganapati is prayed to so that no obstacle arises during the puja, and the following mantra is chanted.
ॐ एकदंताय विद्महे वक्रतुंडाय धीमहि। तन्नो दंती प्रचोदयात्॥
Punyahavachan and kalash puja follow. The yajaman and their wife take a sankalp (vow) and pray to the goddess for the family's welfare, health, happiness and prosperity, and for the removal of troubles. As per tradition, married women perform aarti of the couple on this occasion.
Matrika deities are worshipped so that the homa-havan is completed without hindrance. In the traditional method, 17 betel nuts are installed as the matrikas. The space around the yajna kund is then purified. In some traditions, cow urine, panchagavya and white mustard are used for this.
Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Saraswati and other deities are worshipped next. An idol or image of the goddess is installed near the kalash, and Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Navadurga are invoked. After the prayer to the goddess and the dhyana mantra, the pitha devatas are worshipped.
An important stage of the homa-havan is agni sthapana. In the traditional method, the fire is lit and worshipped. Samidha, ghee and the woods prescribed by tradition are used for this. The fire is kept burning safely until the havan is complete. Gandha and flowers are then offered in worship for the pacification of the navagrahas. In the navagraha havan, ghee, sesame, rice and samidha are offered and the relevant mantras are recited.
The Durga Saptashati havan holds special importance in the Ashtami homa-havan. A sankalp is taken for the pleasure of Shri Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Navadurga. The Durga Saptashati text is worshipped and the goddess's mantras are recited.
According to the traditional method, 108 oblations are offered to Ganapati with the mantra 'ॐ गं गणपतये स्वाहा'. After this, 108 oblations are offered to the goddess with the mantra 'ॐ अंबिकायै स्वाहा'. The havan then proceeds according to the mantras of the Durga Saptashati. Materials such as rice, sesame, sattu, samidha, pieces of sugarcane and fragrant flowers are used as tradition prescribes.
The next stage of the havan is the balidan vidhi. In some traditional methods, there is a practice of offering or cutting a pumpkin (kohda) before the goddess. The coconut and the remaining puja materials are then offered to the fire and the purnahuti is made.
After the purnahuti, turmeric, kumkum, gandha and flowers are offered to the goddess. Incense, lamp and naivedya are shown and aarti of the goddess is performed. Pradakshina is then made, followed by kumarika puja and suhagin puja. In some traditions there is also the practice of gifting a blouse piece and a coconut in the woman's lap (god bharai).
At the end of the puja, water from the kalash is sprinkled on the yajaman and family members, and the goddess is prayed to for happiness, peace and good health. There is also a tradition of applying ash from the homa kund on the forehead. Tarpan, marjan and deity visarjan follow. Dakshina is given to the guruji and blessings are taken.
One important point: the mantras, the number of oblations and the order of the puja may vary according to family custom (kulachar), region and sampradaya. While performing the Ashtami homa-havan, one should therefore seek guidance from a knowledgeable guruji as per the tradition of one's own home. Safety should be kept in mind while using fire.
