ॐ Pranaams प्रणाम दोस्त aur Jai Mata Di जय माता दी 卐

This information is primarily for South Africa, as Visarjan may be observed differently in other parts of the world.

Before Durga Visarjan

On Durga Navami, one should perform the Halwa Puri offerings, but no havan. The offering may be made after sunset if one is engaged in work during the day. If the Halwa cannot be prepared in time, Kheer Puri with boiled Channa may be offered as naivedhyam.

If the Halwa Puri offering is made within the Navaratri period, havan should be performed. If it is offered on Vijaya Dashami, havan is not advised.

Visarjan is the day when the Mother is “cooled” by immersing the energy back into nature – into the ocean, river or ground. Havan makes Her hotter, and it is not advisable to leave Her “hot”. Devi is Mahadevi or Shakti, and She can burn the entire Universe with Her gaze.

Durga Visarjan Vidhi

Cooling the Kalash and Puja Offerings

Visarjan is a Sanskrit word referring to the final ritual and the act of respectfully requesting the departure of the Deity or Deities. At the beginning of any puja, the presiding Deity is invoked in a murti for worship. At the end of the puja, the presiding Deity is respectfully requested to depart from that murti.

On Visarjan day, first have a bath and then proceed to the place of worship where the Kalash puja was performed.

1. Offer Devi the final naivedhyam of one set of Kheer with Channa and Puri.

2. Offer incense, kapur (camphor) or a ghee lamp, and flower petals to Devi.

3. Everyone present should hold flower petals and raw white rice in their hands.

4. Thank all the Devis present in the Kalash for Their blessings and for remaining in the Kalash during the eight to ten days. Pray that They return to Their heavenly abodes and return again when invited in future worship.

For example: “Oh Dear Devis! Thank you for visiting us. We surrender our devotional practice unto You, which we offered to You all for the duration of this Navaratri. We request You to kindly return to Your abodes and to return once again when we pray to You all in the future.”

5. Loudly chant “Jai Mata Di, Jai Mata Di, Jai Mata Di” to the Divine Mothers.

6. Offer the flowers and raw rice by turning your hands with the petals and rice three, five, seven or nine times clockwise.

7. Bow down with your forehead touching the ground to conclude the prayer.

8. Pick up the Kalash with both hands and keep it aside.

Handling the Kalash and Puja Items

• Disperse the raw rice for birds to consume.
• Remove the red or other coloured cloth from the coconut. It may be reused in the home temple. See the sari and cloth guidance below.
• Sprinkle the sacred Kalash water throughout the house and pray that it removes negative energies and brings prosperity. A few drops may also be consumed, and the water may be used for bathing.
• Remove the coins and keep them safely with other money, as they are believed to bring prosperity.
• Remove the other puja ingredients from the Kalash pot and bedi and sprinkle them on plants or in a clean place in the yard. Those living in a flat may use another pot of sand. Alternatively, dig a small hole, place the ingredients in it and cover them with soil.
• The tray or pot used to sow barley may be placed under a tree or reused as a planter. Before doing this, pluck some green sprouts and offer them to Devi.

What to Do With the Coconut

There are three options:

1. Proceed to a river or ocean to immerse the coconut. Hold raw white rice and flowers in the right hand and recite the immersion mantra below.

Yaantu Deva-Ganaah Sarve, Poojaa maadaaya Maamakim //
Ishta-Kaama-Samriddhyartham, Punaraagamanaaya Cha॥

Mantra meaning: May all the Devis accept the worship performed by me and leave here, to return again for the prosperity of the desired desires.

Durga Visarjan is performed during Vijaya Dashami. The auspicious Visarjan time most often occurs during the morning.

2. Dig a hole approximately half a metre deep in the yard and fill it with water, then follow option one. This simulates a river or ocean for those who reside far from one.

3. Break the coconut that was placed on the Kalash, eat it as prashad, and distribute it among family members and friends.

Do note: The best advice is to follow option one if all circumstances are ideal.

What to Do With the Sari or Cloth

Protecting Mother Earth is important. Disposing of saris in the ocean is not ideal because marine creatures may be harmed.

Keep the sari and gift it to a family member or friend to wear as Matarani’s prashad or blessing.

When to Break the Saltless Navaratri Vrat

Question: When does one break the saltless Navaratri vrat?

Answer: Generally, one breaks the Navaratri fast after the Durga Visarjan ritual. The Durga Visarjan timing may therefore also be used for Navaratri parana, when salted vegetarian foods are taken. Some staunch devotees break their saltless fast after sunset following their Vijaya Dashami prayers.

If the question concerns breaking the fast with non-vegetarian food, the author states that he is not the appropriate person to answer because he advocates vegetarianism.

All puja ingredients should be disposed of in a manner that does not harm the environment and that also respects religious sentiments.