Navratri 2024: Essential bhog for all 9 avatars of Goddess Durga to make your pooja fruitful

The festival of Shardiya Navratri is around the corner. The 9-day festival is all about worshipping 9 avatars of Goddess Durga. This year, the festival commences on October 3 and will continue till October 11, marking October 12 as Vijaydashmi or Dussehra. During these 9 days, 9 avatars of Maa Durga are worshipped. The 9 avatars of Maa Durga are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri. The festival is also said to foster a sense of community and cultural identity. It is celebrated with dance, music, and various local traditions, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian culture.

Also Read:Fasting rules to follow and what to eat and avoid during the 9-day festival
As per experts, each avatar of Maa Durga is worshipped with a set of mantras, puja rituals and a certain type of bhog, which is also considered to be her favourite food or ingredient. During these 9 days, devotees begin the day with cleaning the house and mandir and then taken bath, after which they prepare the bhog for the Maa Durga's manifestation and later offer the same, chant mantras and perform arti and at last eat the bhog offered to the devi. Let us tell you about each avatar of Maa Durga and her favourite bhog that one can offer to seek blessings.

Day 1: Goddess Shailputri
Goddess Shailputri is the first manifestation of Goddess Durga. She holds a Trishul in one hand and a lotus in the other and rides a bull called Nandi.
What to offer: It is suggested to offer pure ghee to the Goddess. It is believed that by offering pure ghee, devotees are blessed with a life free of diseases and illness.

Day 2: Goddess Brahmacharini
This day is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini. She walks barefoot with a rudraksh mala in one hand and a sacred Kamandalu in the other.
What to offer: Goddess Brahmacharini is offered sugar for the longevity of life.

Day 3: Goddess Chandraghanta
The third day of Navratri is of Goddess Chandraghanta, who is a fierce 10-armed goddess with a crescent moon on her forehead.
What to offer: As per experts, it is suggested to offer her Kheer, and it is believed that offering her dishes made with milk drives away all pains of life.

Day 4: Goddess Kushmanda
Chaturthi or the fourth day of Navratri is of Devi Kushmanda. The name Kushmanda is derived from three words - ‘Ku’ (little), ‘Ushma’ (warmth or energy) and ‘Amnda’ (egg), which means the creator of the universe.
What to offer: It is suggested to offer Malpua to Maa Kushmanda to improve their intellect and decision-making ability. To make this, simply sieve singhade ka atta in a bowl, add powdered sugar and milk. Whisk to make smooth batter of pouring consistency. Let it rest overnight and next morning add cardamom powder, chironji, and chopped nuts to it and using a ladle pour pori-size batter in hot ghee and cook from both sides until it starts floating on top of ghee. Your malpua is ready.

Day 5: Goddess Skandamata
Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day and she is a four-armed deity, who carries a lotus in two of her arms with a sacred Kamandalu and a bell in the other two.
What to offer: As per historians, Banana is the favourite fruit of Goddess Skandmata. While one can simply offer banana to the Goddess, one can also make simple and easy dishes with ripe banana. For instance, banana porridge made with mashed bananas, milk, and nuts make for a healthy offering to the devi. One can also mix bananas in kutt ka atta and make sweet pooris out of it and offer as bhog.

Day 6: Goddess Katyayani
The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, who is a form of Shakti and is considered as one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. She has four arms and carrying a sword.
What to offer: It is suggested to offer Honey as prasad to Devi Katyayani to help protect from all hurdles of life and spread sweetness in life. Also, one can use honey to make a bhog and offer it to the devi. For instance, one can make Panchamrit using milk , curd, honey, ghee, and makhana and offer it to Maa Durga.

Day 7: Goddess Kaalratri
Saptami or the seventh day of Navratri is of Goddess Kaalratri and she is a four-armed deity who rides a donkey, carries a sword, a trident, and a noose. She has a third eye on her forehead that is believed to contain the entire universe.
What to offer: It is suggested to offer Jaggery as prasad to Devi Kaalratri for relief from pains, obstacles and bring happiness. Also, one can make desserts with jaggery to please the devi. For instance, one can make kheer using rice, milk, nuts, and jaggery in place of sugar to enhance the taste and colour of the dish and offer it to the devi. One can also use jaggery in making dry fruits laddoo and offer it to the devi.


Day 8: Goddess Mahagauri
Durga Ashtami or the eight-day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri and she is a four-armed deity who rides on a bull or a white elephant. She carries a Trishul and a damru in her hands.
What to offer: Goddess Mahagauri is offered Coconut or dishes made with Coconut on this day.

Day 9: Goddess Siddhidatri
The ninth or the final day of Navratri is of Goddess Siddhidhatri and she is projected as a four-armed deity sitting on a lotus, holding a mace, discus and a book and lotus in her hands.
What to offer: As per legends, Sesame Seeds are offered to this manifestation of Devi, for safety and security from unnatural events.
Certain foods that must be avoided in Navratri:
Commonly avoided items include grains like rice and wheat, as well as legumes and pulses. Apart from that, non-vegetarian foods, alcohol, and processed sugars a strict No. Most people also refrain from certain vegetables, such as onions and garlic, as they are considered tamasic, promoting lethargy. Instead, the focus is on eating fruits, dairy products, and specific flours like buckwheat and singhara.
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