Flowers for Maa Durga: Quick Answer
Red flowers are dearest to Maa Durga — above all the red hibiscus (*gudhal* or *japa*), followed by red rose, red kaner (oleander), lotus, marigold, jasmine, mogra and champa. Each of the nine forms is also traditionally associated with particular flowers and bhog. Avoid offering durva, tulsi, aak (madar) or dhatura flowers to the Goddess, and never offer stale, fallen or sniffed flowers.
| Date (2026) | Goddess | Flowers (popular tradition) | Bhog | Special item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct | Shailputri | Red hibiscus, white kaner | Cow's ghee | Red chunri |
| 12 Oct | Brahmacharini | Jasmine (chameli), chrysanthemum | Sugar, mishri | Rudraksha/akshamala |
| 13 Oct | Chandraghanta | Lotus, shankhpushpi | Milk, kheer | Bell (ghanti) |
| 14 Oct | Kushmanda | Yellow flowers, marigold | Malpua | Pumpkin (kushmand) |
| 15 Oct | Skandamata | Yellow rose, blue/purple flowers | Banana | Yellow cloth |
| 16 Oct | Katyayani | Marigold, red rose | Honey | Haldi, yellow sweets |
| 17–18 Oct | Kalaratri | Raat-rani, blue lotus, red hibiscus | Jaggery | Sesame-oil lamp |
| 19 Oct | Mahagauri | Mogra, bela, white flowers | Coconut | Shringar items |
| 19–20 Oct | Siddhidatri | Champa, hibiscus | Til, halwa-puri-chana | Lotus seat/lotus flower |
The day-wise flower associations are popular traditions rather than fixed scriptural rules. If a particular flower isn't available, any fresh red or seasonal flower offered with devotion is acceptable.
Why Are Red Flowers Dear to the Goddess?
In the Devi tradition, red represents shakti, energy, auspiciousness and saubhagya (marital good fortune). The hibiscus (japa pushpa) is mentioned throughout Devi worship texts and is offered to Durga, Kali and Lakshmi. The Kalika Purana and related texts praise the offering of red flowers to the Goddess as especially pleasing. This is also why the Goddess is offered a red chunri, red bangles and sindoor.
Day-wise Flowers and Bhog — Explained
Day 1: Maa Shailputri (11 October) Offer red hibiscus or white kaner, and **cow's ghee** as bhog. Ghee offered on the first day is believed to bring good health. Many people give the ghee to a needy person afterwards.
Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini (12 October) White fragrant flowers like **jasmine** suit the Goddess of penance. Offer **sugar or mishri**; it is believed to bring long life to family members.
Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta (13 October) Offer a **lotus** if possible, or shankhpushpi. Bhog of **milk or kheer** pleases her. Ring the bell during the puja.
Day 4: Maa Kushmanda (14 October) Offer yellow flowers and **malpua** as bhog. Offering a pumpkin (kushmand) is traditional and is believed to improve health and intellect.
Day 5: Maa Skandamata (15 October) Yellow roses or blue/purple flowers are suitable. Offer **bananas** — believed to bring good health and blessings for children.
Day 6: Maa Katyayani (16 October) Offer marigold or red roses and **honey** as bhog. Unmarried girls who pray for a good life partner offer haldi and yellow sweets.
Days 7–8: Maa Kalaratri (17–18 October) Offer night-blooming flowers like raat-rani, a blue lotus or red hibiscus. Bhog of **jaggery** (gur) is traditional; give the jaggery to a Brahmin or a needy person afterwards. A sesame-oil lamp is lit in many homes on this day.
Day 9: Maa Mahagauri (19 October, Ashtami) White flowers like **mogra and bela** suit the fair, serene Mahagauri. Offer a **coconut** and *solah shringar*. Married women offer shringar for marital happiness.
Day 10: Maa Siddhidatri (19–20 October, Navami) Offer **champa** or hibiscus, and bhog of **sesame (til)** along with halwa-puri-chana. Sesame is believed to protect against sudden misfortune.
Flowers to Avoid in Devi Puja
- •Durva grass — offered to Ganesha, traditionally not to the Goddess.
- •Tulsi leaves — dear to Vishnu; generally not offered to Devi.
- •Aak (madar) and dhatura — offered to Shiva, not to the Goddess.
- •Stale, wilted or fallen flowers, flowers that someone has smelled, or flowers with insects.
- •Flowers taken without permission from someone else's garden.
- •Artificial plastic flowers for the actual offering (use for decoration only, if at all).
Bel patra (bilva leaves) can be offered to the Goddess; they are part of Durga Puja traditions in Bengal.
The Right Way to Offer Flowers
- 1Wash the flowers lightly and keep them in a clean plate.
- 2Offer flowers with the right hand, holding them between the thumb, middle finger and ring finger.
- 3Place the flower with its face upward at the Goddess's feet or on the idol.
- 4Chant "Om Dum Durgayai Namah" or the day's naam mantra while offering.
- 5During aarti, offer pushpanjali — flowers held in both palms, offered with the mantra.
- 6Remove yesterday's flowers each morning before the new puja (except on the kalash if your tradition keeps them).
What to Do With Used Flowers
Don't throw puja flowers in the dustbin or drains. Collect them in a basket and:
Summary
Red flowers, especially the hibiscus, are the Goddess's favourite. In Navratri 2026, offer the day-wise flowers and bhog — ghee on 11 October, mishri on 12th, kheer on 13th, malpua on 14th, banana on 15th, honey on 16th, jaggery on 17th–18th, coconut on 19th and til on 20th — and avoid durva, tulsi, aak and stale flowers. Above all, offer what you can with a sincere heart.
