Navratri Kalash Sthapana Vidhi (नवरात्रि कलश स्थापना विधि)
How to do Ghatasthapana in Navratri: materials, sowing barley, decorating the kalash, Durga worship, the nine-day routine and immersion.
When to do it
- On the first day (Pratipada) of Chaitra and Sharad Navratri
- The auspicious time for sthapana as per the panchang
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Sow the barley
Spread a layer of clean soil in the dish, sow barley, cover with more soil and sprinkle a little water.
Prepare the kalash
Put water, a little Gangajal, supari, a coin and akshat in the kalash. Tie kalava on the neck and place mango leaves on top.
Place the coconut
Wrap the coconut in a red chunari, place it on the kalash, and set the kalash on the barley dish.
Invoke Maa Durga
Place the Goddess’s picture on the seat, invoke her and light an akhand or ordinary lamp.
Worship and bhog
Offer roli, sindoor, flowers, fruit and bhog, and recite the Durga Chalisa or Saptashati.
Nine-day routine
Perform puja and aarti morning and evening every day, sprinkle a little water on the barley and look after the lamp. Kanya puja is the tradition on Ashtami/Navami.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Eat sattvic food and practise restraint for nine days
- Do not let the lamp go out; keep enough oil/ghee
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Avoid garlic-onion and non-vegetarian food for nine days (tradition)
- Avoid cutting hair and nails (tradition in many families)
Common mistakes
- Sowing barley in impure soil or a dirty vessel
- Leaving the house empty after the sthapana
- Moving the kalash around
Auspicious muhurat
The kalash sthapana muhurat is given in the panchang according to the Pratipada tithi. Abhijit Muhurta is also considered auspicious. Choose the right time after checking your city’s panchang.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
When should Ghatasthapana be done?
Is the akhand lamp necessary?
Until when should the barley be kept?
Can the kalash be left when travelling?
When should Kanya Puja be done?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.