Ghatasthapana 2024: About Ghatasthapana and its significance!

The date of Ghatasthapana celebrations is set for October 3, 2024. Hindus observe this custom throughout the nine-day Navratri and Dashain festivals.

The northeastern states of India as well as Nepal, a neighbor, celebrate the Dashain holiday. Both festivities begin with the Ghatasthapana ceremony.

Date                                       Day                               Celebrated In
3 October 2024                      Thursday                      Many States

 

About the Festival of Ghatasthapana:

People fill a Kalash (pot) with "holy water" during Ghatasthapana. After that, barley seeds are planted in the Kalash that has been covered with cow dung. After that, it is put in a sand hole where barley seeds have also been seeded. After that, a priest blesses this Kalash and requests that goddess Durga live inside the pot for the duration of the festival.

A family member worships the pot twice a day, every day until the festival ends. Every day, holy water is added to the Kalash, which is shielded from the sun. As a result of this action, "Jamara," a tall, yellowish grass, grows from the container.

Many of the customs observed during Ghatasthapana are kept confidential. But this is a rite that is performed all over India.

How is Ghatasthapana conducted?

One of the main Navratri traditions is Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana, which involves setting up a Kalash, or a pot filled with water and adorned with coconuts, mango leaves, and other auspicious artifacts in one's home's prayer room. This custom is said to be an appeal to Goddess Durga for wealth and well-being in the household. It's widely believed that performing this ritual during Navratri will bring good fortune, blessings, and luck.

 

What's the Legend of Ghatasthapana?

Goddess Shakti is invoked in Ghatasthapana, and according to our scriptures, if one does it at the wrong time, Goddess Shakti would become enraged. Ghatasthapana is not allowed on Amavasya or at night.

During Navratri, people can worship the goddess Durga in any of her numerous forms, including Kalratri, Brahmacharini, Shailputri, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, and Siddhidayini. They simultaneously worship Durga, Saraswati, and Lakshmi, the three major manifestations of Goddess Shakti, in order to reap their heavenly benefits.

Families and friends gather to celebrate this day in accordance with their customs. Gujaratis fast, engage in the Dandiya dance, and spend a lot of time in prayer. The eastern parts of India celebrate Navratri as Durga Puja.

In North India, it is known as Navratri, and nine days of intense devotion to the Mother Goddess end with Dussehra. During Dussehra, the burning of Ravana's effigy represents the triumph of virtue over evil.

 

What Time of Day Is Best for Ghatasthapana?

The best time of day to do Ghatasthapana is in the first third of the day. If for any reason you are unable to perform Ghatasthapana during the Abhijit Muhurta, you can still perform it during that time. It is recommended to avoid the Vaidhriti Yoga and Chitra Nakshatra phases during Ghatasthapana, however they are not legally forbidden.

The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that the Navratri Kalash Sthapana needs to be completed by midday.