Can't reach your kuldevi's temple in Navratri? Worship and gond bharai can be done at home

Shardiya Navratri began on October 11 and a devotional mood prevails everywhere. The nine forms of the goddess are worshipped during these days. In many families, visiting the kuldevi's temple and performing her gond bharai (filling of the lap) is given special importance during this period.

Often, however, the distance is too great, health does not permit, or some other hurdle makes it impossible to visit the kuldevi's temple. The question then arises whether worship at home is acceptable.

By tradition, families have regarded one particular goddess as their kuldevi for generations. During Navratri, haldi-kumkum is offered at her temple, her lap is filled and naivedya is offered. It is believed that this keeps the goddess's blessings on the household. Even so, there is no rule that one must visit the temple during Navratri.

If it is not possible for some reason, worship can be performed at home while remembering the goddess. The goddess is not only in the temple but also in one's heart and home. One can worship at home after consulting the elders of the family or a guruji.

In Maharashtra, filling the goddess's lap is a very old tradition. On their way to the temple, people carry a sari or blouse piece, a coconut, haldi-kumkum, akshata, betel nut, paan leaves and flowers. Those who cannot go to the temple need not worry, as the gond bharai can also be done at home. For this, first clean the puja room.

Light a lamp before the goddess's picture and offer her haldi-kumkum, akshata and flowers. Then place a sari or blouse piece, a coconut and the rest of the puja items on a plate and set it before the goddess. Bow sincerely and pray. Finally, perform the aarti and offer naivedya. The way of filling the lap differs from home to home, so follow the custom of your own household.

On the nine days of Navratri, rise early each morning, bathe and light a lamp in the puja room. Offer flowers to the kuldevi, taking her name. If you know your kuldevi's mantra, chant it. If you do not, chanting the simplest mantra, "Om Dum Durgayai Namah", is also acceptable.

Perform the goddess's aarti daily, recite a stotra and offer a sattvik naivedya. Some homes install a ghat and keep an akhand lamp burning. Do all this according to your household's tradition and the time you have. There is no need to do more by looking at others. Even a small puja done with devotion reaches the goddess.

Many people think a particular day is fixed for the gond bharai. That is not so. Some homes do it on Panchami, some on Ashtami and some on Navami. Do it on the day your household's custom prescribes. If you know nothing of it, filling the lap on any one day of Navratri at your convenience is acceptable.

Many people fear that the goddess will be displeased or something bad will happen if they do not visit the temple. Nothing of the sort happens. We call the goddess mother, and when is a mother ever angry with her children? You can install a ghat at home, or simply take her name with devotion, and she is pleased all the same. Do not harbour needless fear.

During Navratri, the goddess is said to come to earth, destroy evil and take it away with her. The goddess saved everyone by slaying Mahishasura. So in these days one must not only worship but also rid the mind of fear, anger and bad thoughts. If everyone in the home performs puja and aarti together, there is unity in the household and our culture is also preserved.