Durga Archana is a special devotional worship where the various names and attributes of Goddess Durga are chanted while offering items like flowers, kumkum, or akshata (turmeric rice).
“Archana” means “offering” or “worship,” and through Durga Archana, devotees seek the divine grace of Goddess Durga for protection, courage, health, victory, and the removal of negative forces.

Goddess Durga is the fierce yet compassionate Mother who destroys evil and protects her devotees. She symbolizes Shakti (Divine Energy) — the creative, preserving, and destructive powers of the universe.

When to Perform Durga Archana:

• During Navaratri (especially powerful),

• On Fridays, Tuesdays, and Ashtami (eighth day of the lunar fortnight),

• During Durga Ashtami, Chaitra Navaratri, or personal auspicious days,

• When seeking strength during challenges or praying for victory over difficulties.

Benefits of Durga Archana:

• Protection from negative energies, enemies, and fear.

• Grants physical, mental, and spiritual strength.

• Helps in overcoming hurdles and achieving success.

• Brings peace, prosperity, and inner confidence.

• Enhances devotion and connects deeply with the Divine Feminine.

Basic Pooja Items List

Altar Setup:

• Photo or idol of the Durga

• Pooja Asana (mat) to sit on

• Pooja plate (thali)

• Kalasha (small pot, optional if doing formal Kalasha sthapana)

• Coconut (for Kalasha or offering)

Offerings:

• Flowers (especially red flowers for Durga; any fresh flowers for general pooja)

• Garland (optional, for deity decoration)

• Kumkum (red vermilion powder)

• Haldi (Turmeric powder)

• Akshata (rice grains mixed with turmeric)

• Chandan (Sandalwood paste)

• Betel leaves and betel nuts

• Fruits (bananas, apples, etc.)

• Fresh water (for offerings and Kalasha)

• Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar — optional for abhishekam)

Pooja Essentials:

• Diya (Lamp) (preferably brass)

• Oil or ghee for the lamp

• Incense sticks (Agarbatti)

• Camphor (for aarti)

• Matchbox or lighter

• Bell (ghanti)

• Conch (Shankh) (optional for starting/ending pooja)

• Pooja cloth (red/yellow cloth to cover altar or Kalasha)

Other Items:

• Small cup or lota (for water offering)

• Spoon (for offering water and Panchamrit)

• Cotton wicks (for the diya)

• Small towels (for hand washing)

• Pooja books / Sloka sheets (for chanting archana, sahasranama, etc.)

Naivedyam (Food Offering):

• Cooked sweets or prasadam like payasam, kheer, fruit, coconut sweets, etc.