Ghatasthapana Puja 2019 Date and Shubh Muhurat to Begin Shardiya Navratri: Navratri is one of the most important festivals that Hindus celebrate, and Sharad Navaratri begins today. The Ghatasthapana Puja, an invocation of Goddess Durga will begin the festival this morning. The nine-day festival that celebrates the different avatars of Maa Durga, known as Navadurga. It is the biggest of four seasonal Navaratri in the Hindu Calendar and it will go on till  October 7, with great zest and enthusiasm. For the puja, there are a set of rules, and our scriptures forewarn that the Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi needs to be adhered to. In this article, we will look at Ghatasthapana Puja or Kalash Sthapana tithi (date), shubh muhurat (auspicious timings), puja vidhi (customs and rituals) as well its importance and significance. You can download Navratri 2019 Colours List With Dates in PDF Format For Free Online!

Ghatasthapana literally translates to “mounting of a jar” and is a practice that is mainly followed in Navratri celebrations in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Navaratri is one of the few festivals in India that is celebrated with the same enthusiasm, but different rituals in various parts of India. People in Maharashtra and Gujarat begin this 9-day festivity by mounting the ghat or jar and inviting Goddess Shakti to their homes. It is crucial to understand the complete Puja Vidhi, Shubh Muhurat and Kalash Sthapana timing for the Ghatasthapana Puja. Navratri 2019 Dates, Download Free Hindu Calendar in PDF: Tithi, Day-Wise Significance of Sharad Navaratri and Puja Vidhi.

Kalash Sthapana Timings and Ghatasthapana Puja Shubh Muhurat

One of the most important aspects of the Ghatasthapana Puja has to be adhering to the timings. The Hindu scriptures have given very specific timing during which one can invoke Goddess Durga. The most auspicious time to perform Ghatasthapana Puja is during the first one-third of the day on Pratipada. The timings for Ghatasthapana Puja 2019 are given below-

On September 29, 2019, Navaratri Day 1 

Ghatasthapana Muhurat - 06:13 AM to 07:40 AM

Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat - 11:47 AM to 12:35 PM

Abhijit Muhurat is the second auspicious timing that can be considered for the Ghatasthapana in case the early morning Muhurat is missed. Performing the Kalash Sthapana Puja during Amavasya and night time is prohibited as it is believed to unleash the wrath of Goddess Shakti.

Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi

For Ghatasthapana Puja, a wide and open clay pot is used for sowing the grain in multiple layers, going on a cycle of soil and grains twice, and finally covering the pot with a final layer of soil. The Kalash or copper or brass jar, is filled with water to the neck and a sacred thread is tied on its neck. Supari, scent, Durva grass, Akshat and coins are all dropped inside the Kalash, and five Ashoka leaves are laid out at the edge of the Kalash. An unpeeled coconut, wrapped in a red cloth and tied together with the sacred thread is now placed over this Kalash, and the Kalash Sthapana Procedure is completed.

Invoking Goddess Durga and Panchopachara Puja

Once the Kalash is in place, people pray to Goddess Durga and request her to reside in their homes for the next nine days. This process is followed by the Panchopachara Puja. The Panchopachara Puja, as the name suggests, involves offering five Puja items to the Goddess. The Puja begins by offering the lamp to the Kalash and all the deities, followed by the lighting of Dhoop sticks, flowers and scent. The Panchopachara Puja ends with the offering of Naivedhya or Prasad, which is fruits and sweets that have been prepared specially for Goddess Shakti.

We hope that these steps will guide you through the Ghatasthapana Puja proceedings, and allow you to enjoy a fun, eventful and extremely joyous Navaratri.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2019 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).