Ghatasthapana 2024

Ghatasthapana will be celebrated on 03rd October 2024. It is a ritual followed by Hindus during the 9-day Navratri festival celebration and Dashain festival.

Dashain festival is celebrated in the northeastern states of India and in the neighbouring country of Nepal. The Ghatasthapana ritual marks the beginning of both festivals.

About Ghatasthapana Festival

During Ghatasthapana, people fill “holy water” in a Kalash (pot). The Kalash is then coated with cow dung and barley seeds are sown in it. It is then placed in a sand pit that is also sown with barley seeds. This Kalash is then blessed by a priest who asks goddess Durga to take residence in the pot for the entirety of the festival.

The pot is worshipped twice a day, every day till the festival is over, by a family member. The Kalash is kept away from the sunlight and holy water is added to it daily. This activity results in a long, yellowish grass growing from the pot which is called “Jamara.”

Many rituals followed during Ghatasthapana are kept private. However, this ritual is practiced throughout India.

What is Done during Ghatasthapana? 

Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana, which entails placing a Kalash or a pot filled with water and decorated with mango leaves, coconuts, and other auspicious objects in the prayer room of one’s home, is one of the primary rituals of Navratri. This ritual is thought to be a request to Goddess Durga to bring riches and prosperity to the home. It is generally accepted that carrying out this rite during Navratri attracts luck, blessings, and good fortune.

What is the Story Behind Ghatasthapana? 

Ghatasthapana is an invocation of Goddess Shakti, and as per our scriptures, doing it at the wrong moment may incur Goddess Shakti’s wrath. Ghatasthapana is not permitted at night or on Amavasya. 

People who worship the goddess Durga during Navratri may do so in one of her many forms, such as Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha Gauri, or Siddhidayini. In order to receive their heavenly benefits, they simultaneously worship the three principal manifestations of Goddess Shakti—Durga, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. 

 To commemorate this occasion in accordance with their customs, families and friends get together. People in Gujarat perform the Dandiya dance, keep fasts, and devote their time to prayer. India’s eastern regions observe Navratri as Durga Puja. 

 It is celebrated as Navratri in North India, with nine days of fervent Mother Goddess worship concluding with Dussehra. The burning of Ravana’s effigy during Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil. 

What is the Good Time for Ghatasthapana? 

The first third of the day is the most advantageous period to perform Ghatasthapana. Ghatasthapana can also be done during the Abhijit Muhurta if you are unable to do it then for any reason. While not strictly forbidden, it is advised to avoid the Chitra Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga phases during Ghatasthapana. 

 The most important thing to remember is that Navratri Kalash Sthapana must be performed before noon.