Durga (Chandi)

Chandi Path

Recitation of the 700-verse Durga Saptashati for family protection, especially during Navaratri.

Indicative price

₹5,100

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About this pooja

Chandi Path is the recitation of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya), the seven-hundred-verse hymn to Goddess Durga from the Markandeya Purana. The text comprises thirteen chapters (Adhyaya) describing the goddess's three principal forms (Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati) and her victories over the asuras Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasura, and Shumbha-Nishumbha. Performed during Navaratri (the nine-night autumn or spring festival), on a personal sankalpa, or for protection of the family.

Key insights

  • The text has 700 shlokas across 13 chapters. A single complete reading (paath) is called a paatha; nine paathas (Navacchandi) form a Navaratri sankalpa; one hundred paathas (Shata-Chandi) is a major sankalpa requiring a five-day camp with multiple pandits.
  • Recitation must follow the canonical sequence with the proper Anga: Devi Kavacham first, Argalastotram second, Keelakam third, then the thirteen chapters in order, ending with Pradhanika Rahasya, Vaikritika Rahasya and Murti Rahasya.
  • Pre-recitation Sankalpa, post-recitation Hawan with 1008 ahutis of bilva, lotus and ghee, and a Kumari-Pujan (worship of nine pre-pubescent girls as living forms of the goddess) are the canonical limbs.
  • The rite is most powerful on Ashtami of Navaratri (Maha Ashtami). Outside Navaratri, on any Ashtami or Navami tithi.

What's included

  • One Vedic pandit for a single paatha; multiple pandits for Navacchandi or Shata-Chandi
  • Approx 4 to 5 hours ritual time for a single complete paatha with Anga and post-recitation Hawan
  • Sankalpa, Devi Kavacham, Argalastotram, Keelakam, full thirteen chapters of Durga Saptashati, three Rahasyas, Hawan, Kumari Pujan, Aarti, Prasad
  • Pre-puja sankalpa for the specific intent
  • Items the family arranges: red cloth, red flowers (jaswant, lotus), Durga image or idol, bilva patra, fresh fruits, kheer or boondi naivedya, ghee, lotus seeds, and arrangement for nine pre-pubescent girls for the Kumari Pujan if performed

Vidhi (ritual steps)

  1. 01

    Sankalpa with the yajamana name and the specific intent

  2. 02

    Ganapati Pujan

  3. 03

    Kalash Sthapana and Devi Sthapana on the altar

  4. 04

    Devi Kavacham recitation

  5. 05

    Argalastotram recitation

  6. 06

    Keelakam recitation

  7. 07

    First Charita (Madhu-Kaitabha Vadha): Chapter 1

  8. 08

    Madhyama Charita (Mahishasura Mardini): Chapters 2 to 4

  9. 09

    Uttara Charita (Shumbha-Nishumbha Vadha): Chapters 5 to 13

  10. 10

    Three Rahasyas (Pradhanika, Vaikritika, Murti)

  11. 11

    Hawan with 1008 ahutis of bilva and lotus

  12. 12

    Kumari Pujan if performed

  13. 13

    Aarti and Prasad distribution

Benefits per dharma-shastra

Chandi Path is the textbook rite for protection of the family, for victory over a sustained obstacle, for relief from a chart-identified Shapa (curse) or Pitri-Rin, and for the cultivation of personal Shakti. The Markandeya Purana frames the text as the principal hymn for the protection of the rajya (kingdom), the kula (lineage) and the deha (body). It is also the canonical Navaratri sankalpa for households that observe the nine-night vrata.

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