Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi during Navratri

Ghatasthapana Time
Ghatasthapana is one of the significant rituals during Navratri. It marks the beginning of
nine days festivity. Our scriptures have well defined rules and guidelines to perform
Ghatasthapana during a certain period of time at the beginning of Navratri. Ghatasthapana
is invocation of Goddess Shakti and doing it wrong time, as our scriptures forewarn, might
bring wrath of the Goddess Shakti. Ghatasthapana is prohibited during Amavasya and night
time.

The most auspicious or Shubh time to do Ghatasthapana is first one third of the day while
Pratipada is prevailing. If due to some reasons this time is not available then Ghatasthapana
can be done during Abhijit Muhurta. It is advised to avoid Nakshatra
Chitra and Vaidhriti Yoga during Ghatasthapana but those are not prohibited. The most
important factor to consider is that Ghatasthapana is done before Hindu midday while
Pratipada is prevailing.

Hence please note down the city based Ghatasthapana Time after setting the location for
your city.
Ghatasthapana Items
1. Wide and open
Clay Pot
to sow Sapta Dhanya
2. Clean
Soil
to sow Sapta Dhanya
3. Sapta Dhanya
or seeds of seven different grains
4. Small clay or brass
Pitcher
5. Sacred water to fill the Kalash or
Ganga Jal
6. Sacred thread / Moli /
Kalaya
7. Scent
(perfume)
8. Supari
(betel nuts)
9. Coins
to put into the Kalash
10. 5 leaves
of Ashoka or Mango tree
11. A
Lid
to cover the Kalash
12. Raw Rice
or unbroken rice known as Akshat () to put in the lid
13. Unpeeled
Coconut
14. Red Cloth
to warp coconut
15. Flowers and Garland
preferably marigold
16. Durva
grass

Kalash Preparation for Ghatasthapana
Kalash Preparation
Kalash is prepared before invoking the Goddess and other Gods into it.

Step 1 - First take the wide clay pot (the one which would be used to keep the Kalash) to
sow the grains. Spread the first layer of the soil into the pot and then spread the grain
seeds. Now add the second layer of the soil and grains. In second layer grains should be
spread near the periphery of the pot. Now spread the third and final layer of the soil into the
pot. If needed add little water to the pot to set the soil.

Step 2 - Now tie the sacred thread on the neck of the Kalash and fill it up with the holy
water up to the neck. Drop Supari, scent, Durva grass, Akshat and coins into the water.
Keep 5 leaves of Ashoka at the edge of the Kalash before covering it with a lid.

Step 3 Now take the un-peeled coconut and wrap it inside the red cloth. Fasten the
coconut and red cloth with the sacred thread.

Now keep the coconut on top of the Kalash prepared in step 2. At last put the Kalash in the
center on the grain pot prepared in step 1. Now we have Kalash ready to invoke Goddess
Durga into it.
Invoke Goddess Durga
Now invoke Goddess Durga and request Her to accept your prayers and to oblige you by
residing into the Kalash for nine days.
Panchopachara Puja
As name suggests, Panchopachara Puja ( ) is done with five Puja items. First
show the lamp to the Kalash and all deities invoked in it. After lamp offering, light Dhoop
sticks and offer it to the Kalash, followed by flowers and scent. Finally offer Naivedhya
() i.e. fruits and sweets to the Kalash to conclude Panchopachara Puja.