Navratri is the one time in the year when the whole tradition turns toward the Divine Mother at once. Nine nights of worship, and on the tenth, Vijayadashami, the day named for victory.

For most families that means fasting, golu, garba, a visit to the temple. For those who want something more formal done in their name during these ten nights, the traditional answer is Dasha Chandi Parayana.

What Dasha Chandi Parayana is

Chandi Paath is the recitation of Durga Saptashati, the seven hundred verses of the Markandeya Purana in which the Devi appears in her three great forms and destroys the demons who cannot be defeated by anyone else.

Dasha means ten. In this parayana, the recitation is carried across the ten nights of Navratri, concluding on Vijayadashami. The chapters that carry the most weight are the Mahishasura Vadha and the Shumbha Nishumbha Samhara, the two battles the Saptashati is best known for, and these are given their place in the sequence.

The timing is the point. Navratri is considered the period when this recitation carries its fullest effect, and a parayana performed across these particular ten nights is treated differently from the same recitation performed at another time of year.

The group format, and why it costs less

This parayana is performed as a samuhika, which means a collective recitation. Several families are included in the same parayana, each with their own sankalpa taken in their own name, gotra and nakshatra.

This is why it is Rs 10,500 rather than the Rs 27,000 of the individual nine day parayana. The recitation is shared. Your sankalpa is not.

Some people ask whether a group ritual is less effective than one performed for them alone. The traditional view is that the samuhika format has its own standing and is not a lesser version of anything. Group recitation during Navratri is how a very large part of this tradition has always been practised. If you would prefer an individual parayana, that option exists and we are happy to arrange it, but do not choose it because you think the group form is a compromise.

What it is taken up for

The concerns the tradition associates with this parayana are broad. Shatru samhara, meaning relief from those working against you. Protection generally, including from danger by fire, water and weapons, and from trouble caused by authorities. Good health. Freedom from the influence of negative entities.

On the other side of the ledger, the tradition speaks of prosperity, peace and progress, harmony in marriage, sheegra vivaha for those waiting on a marriage that has not come, the blessing of children, and a personal presence that draws goodwill.

As with everything we publish, these are the aims the tradition names. We perform the recitation. We do not promise results.

Who books it

Three groups, mostly.

Families who observe Navratri seriously and want a formal parayana done in their name alongside their own worship at home.

People carrying a specific concern into the season. A marriage that has not happened, a legal matter, a difficult year at work, an illness in the family.

Devotees abroad who cannot get to a temple where Chandi Paath is being done, and who want their family named in one that is. This is a large share of our bookings and the reason the sankalpa detail matters so much to us.

Practical details

The Navaratri Dasha Chandi Parayana is Rs 10,500, inclusive of samagri, dakshina and courier of prasad. Payment is available in ten currencies.

Book early. This is a fixed calendar event and the parayana begins on the first day of Navratri whether your details have reached us or not. We need the name, gotra and nakshatra of everyone to be included, along with dates and places of birth. If you do not know your gotra, tell us and we will sort it out.

You will receive video and photographs of the parayana along with prasad after Vijayadashami.