Durga Puja Pandal or Mandap – Preparations for Durga Pooja

Durga Puja pandal or pooja mandap which we select is the most important thing in performing and accomplishing Durga Navratri puja. Select a plain and wide place and clean it with fresh water (if possible use Ganga water). Draw some floral designs (rangoli petterns) with flour. Arrange a Pooja pandal or mandap and decorate or strengthen the mandap with cocnut leaves and banana leaves. Adorn the mandap with mango leaves and flower garlands. Some people also arrange lights around the mandap.

Brahmin Santarpana on Mahalaya Amavasya or on Kalash Sthapana day:
Brahmin santarpana is performed in some places on Mahalaya Amavasya day or on Padyami Kalasha Sthapana day. Brahmins recite Durga Saptashathi or Devi Bhagavatha or Chandi Path on the day and are offered santharpana (food, cloth and money offerings).

After Brahmin santharpana on Padyami day, on pooja mandap white fresh cloth is placed. On the cloth, a crown for is kept to place Durga idol. Generally, four-handed or 18-handed Durga idol is worshipped during Durga Navratri. If the Durga idol of this type is not available, then place a Yantra which is installed with Suvarna Maha Mantra. Kalash Sthapana or Ghat sthapana is performed beside the Durga idol or Maha mantra Yantra.