Navratri havan mantra: a simple havan at home, step by step
The mantras for a Navratri havan at home, in order: Ganesha, Agni, the Navagraha, the nine goddesses, the Navarna mantra and the purnahuti. With the 2026 dates for Ashtami and Navami.
Many families end Navratri with a havan, a small fire offering, on Ashtami or Navami. In 2026, Durga Ashtami is on Monday 19 October and Maha Navami is on Tuesday 20 October, the same day as Dussehra. Drik Panchang lists the Navami havan (Navami Homa) on the 20th.
This is a simple order for a havan at home. If your family has its own tradition, or a priest who guides you, follow them: there is no single correct way.
What you need
A havan kund (or a small metal or clay pot on bricks), mango wood or dried cow-dung cakes, ghee, havan samagri, a little camphor to light the fire, a spoon for the ghee, a coconut and red cloth for the purnahuti, flowers, and a lamp. Keep water nearby, open a window, and never leave the fire alone.
The havan, in order
With each mantra ending in स्वाहा (swaha), offer a pinch of samagri and a drop of ghee into the fire.
1. Ganesha first
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः स्वाहा Om Gam Ganapataye Namah Swaha, 3 times. Every puja begins by remembering Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
2. Agni, the fire
ॐ अग्नये स्वाहा Om Agnaye Swaha, 3 times. An offering to the fire itself, which carries every offering to the gods.
3. The nine planets
ॐ नवग्रहेभ्यो नमः स्वाहा Om Navagrahebhyo Namah Swaha, 3 times.
4. The nine goddesses
One offering for each form of Durga, in order:
- ॐ शैलपुत्र्यै नमः स्वाहा (Om Shailaputryai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः स्वाहा (Om Brahmacharinyai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः स्वाहा (Om Chandraghantayai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ कूष्माण्डायै नमः स्वाहा (Om Kushmandayai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ स्कन्दमात्रे नमः स्वाहा (Om Skandamatre Namah Swaha)
- ॐ कात्यायन्यै नमः स्वाहा (Om Katyayanyai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ कालरात्र्यै नमः स्वाहा (Om Kalaratryai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ महागौर्यै नमः स्वाहा (Om Mahagauryai Namah Swaha)
- ॐ सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः स्वाहा (Om Siddhidatryai Namah Swaha)
5. The Navarna mantra
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे स्वाहा Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Swaha
The main offering of a Navratri havan: 108 times if you can, or 11 or 21. One person can chant while the family offers.
6. Jayanti Mangala
ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी। दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥ Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini, Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute
A verse from the Durga Saptashati naming the Goddess in her many forms, offered with samagri at the end of the verse. Listen on Mahakatha.
7. Purnahuti, the final offering
Wrap the coconut in red cloth, place it in the fire with the last of the ghee, and chant:
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते। पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते॥ Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate
"That is whole, this is whole; from the whole the whole arises. Take the whole from the whole, and the whole remains."
8. Close
Do the aarti, chant the Sarvamangala mantra, and sit quietly for a minute while the fire settles. Many families then offer food to young girls (kanya pujan) on Ashtami or Navami.
Before and after
For the mantra of each day leading up to the havan, see Navratri mantras for all nine days, and for the dates, the Navratri 2026 calendar. Mahakatha Radio plays Devi mantras all day and night, if you would like them in the background while you prepare.
Questions people ask
Which mantra is chanted during a Navratri havan?
The main offering is the Navarna mantra with swaha: ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे स्वाहा. It comes after offerings to Ganesha, Agni, the Navagraha and the nine goddesses.
What is the havan mantra of Maa Durga?
Most families use the Navarna mantra with swaha, and the Durga Saptashati verse ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी… स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते.
When should the Navratri havan be done in 2026?
On Durga Ashtami (Monday 19 October 2026) or Maha Navami (Tuesday 20 October 2026), following your family's custom.
Can I do a havan at home without a priest?
Yes. A simple havan with sincere offerings is a long-standing household practice. Keep it small, keep it safe, and follow your family's tradition where it differs from this guide.