Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the initial rituals and the Mother's bath, the main puja (worship) for the Mother begins. Once her puja is completed, worship is offered to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. This is followed by smaller pujas for Lord Ganesha and the Panchadevatas (the five primary deities).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Next, we perform the Dashadikpala puja—the worship of the guardians of the ten directions. This includes Indra for the East, Varuna for the West, Kubera for the North, and Yama for the South. We also honor the corner directions: Agni-kon, Nairitya-kon, Vayu-kon, and Ishan-kon, along with the upward and downward directions. There are specific mantras for inviting and worshipping each of them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After that, we perform the Ashtashakti puja. These are the eight divine powers: Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Narasimhi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda. These eight goddesses were present with the Mother and fought alongside her in battle.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Following this is the Ashta-Nayika puja, where we worship Ugra-chanda, Prachanda, Chand-nayika, and others. Then comes the worship of the Bhairavas, including Asitanga Bhairava, Ruru Bhairava, Bhishana Bhairava, Unmatta Bhairava, Kapala Bhairava, Chanda Bhairava, and Krodha Bhairava.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then, we worship the Chausath Yogini (the 64 Yoginis). They accompanied the Mother and fought alongside her in their subtle forms. Once their worship is concluded, we perform the Kshetrapala puja.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Next, we worship the ten weapons held by the Mother: the Trident (Trishula), the Sword (Kharda), the Noose (Pasha), the Goad (Ankhusha), the Discus (Chakra), and others. Each weapon is worshipped individually with specific mantras.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is followed by the worship of Mahishasura (the buffalo demon) and the Lion. Then, we worship Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha, along with their respective mounts: the Peacock, the Rat, the Swan, and the Owl. We also honor Nandi and Bhringi, the companions of Lord Shiva.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Next is the Batuka puja. Four Batukas—Ganaputra, Somaputra, Sahasra, and another—are worshipped as protectors of the Mother. Once their worship is complete, the main sequence concludes. During this time, the Bali-dan (ritual sacrifice) is performed at a specific auspicious time. Then, the Vedic Homa (fire sacrifice/Yajna) takes place.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the Homa, the Dakshinanta (final offerings) is performed, marking the completion of the day's puja. By the end of Navami, the rituals are nearly finished. On Dashami morning, there aren't many extensive rituals, but we perform the puja for Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha once more.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then comes the ritual of Dadhikarma, where offerings of yogurt and puffed rice are made. In some places, fermented rice (panta-bhaat), spinach, and fish are also offered to the Mother. After she has "eaten," other deities like Narayana and Shiva are symbolically moved from the altar.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Mother is then symbolically moved through Ghat-sanchalana (moving the holy pot) and the ritual thread is cut. At this point, we pray for forgiveness: "Whatever I have done, knowingly or unknowingly, during these three or four days, please forgive me."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Next is the Darpana-Visarjana (mirror immersion). A mirror is placed in a bowl of turmeric water to reflect the Mother's image, symbolizing her departure. We pray, "Please return to Shiva and dwell in happiness, and come back to us again next year."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the thread is cut, the women participate in Sindoor-khela (playing with vermilion) and the Mother's Boron (farewell ceremony). Then the Kone-kanjoli ritual takes place, where the eldest member of the house symbolically bids her farewell. Finally, the idol is taken for immersion in the Ganges. This is how the rituals of Navami and Dashami are performed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For us, the Navaratri puja ends today with the worship of Goddess Siddhidatri. Since the timing for Dashami has already begun, many places will perform the immersion today. In traditional zamindar houses, everything stays ready—the bamboo structures, the people—so that as soon as the ritual thread is cut and Sindoor-khela is over, the immersion can take place immediately.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have summarized the rituals from Shasthi to Dashami. After the holy pot is moved, we also perform Aparajita Puja (worship of the Goddess of Victory) and Ucchishta Chandala Puja, where certain offerings are made.
Interviewer:
Can you tell the devotees more about the ritual of preparing the Ghat (holy pot)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, for the Ghat used on Saptami, it is a tradition to smear the entire pot with a paste of sun-dried rice and yogurt. This is done because, during the intense and lengthy puja, a clay pot can sometimes crack from the "heat" of the rituals. Smearing it with yogurt and rice keeps the pot cool and protected.
Interviewer:
Is there a tradition of Dussehra here as well?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Dussehra is more of a North Indian tradition, common in places like Delhi and Gujarat, where an effigy of Ravana is burnt with fireworks. Ravana represents evil or "dushkriti" (wrongdoings), so he is symbolically burnt away. In our tradition, the focus remains on the immersion and the Mother's departure.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Guru-ji. Pronam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pronam.