Navratri 2021: Know dates - Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana shubh muhurat, puja vidhi and other details

Sharadiya Navratri 2021 will begin from October 7 (Thursday) and will continue till October 15 (Friday). Navratri is a major Hindu festival celebrated through most of India and marks the arrival of the Goddess Durga, through different avatars in our homes. 

Goddess Durga, who is also known as Goddess Kali and Goddess Shakti represents female power and emancipation. The most important ritual is Kalash sthapna or ghatasthapna as it marks the beginning of Navratris.

In the following 9 days of Navratri, the worshiping of the nine forms of Goddess Durga- Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandharghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidathri must be adhered as per the divine law mentioned in sacred scriptures.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Navratri 2021:

On the first day of Navratri, Ghatasthapna is done. It is a way to invoke Goddess Durga and it is very important to know the correct muhurat for the ritual.

 The Ghatsthapana muhurat will start from 06:16:48 am on Thursday, October 7 and will continue till 07:06:52 am. While, the Abhijeet muhurut will be from 11.22 am to 12.09 pm.

On the first day of Navratri, ghatasthapana is performed at Ishaan Kon muhurat. Under ghatasthapana, first place the seven grains in a clay pot, then fill a urn with water and place it on the earthen container with the help of a rope. Then place the leaves on top of the urn, and wrap the coconut in red cloth on the rope in the middle of the leaves. After which perform Kalash Puja and then invoke the goddess after Ganesh Vandana.

The materials required for ghatsthapana include a wide mouth earthen pot, seven grains, kalash, holy soil, matted coconut, water, mango or ashoka leaves, red cloth, betel nut, flowers and whole rice etc.

Turmeric, Kunku, Gulal, Rangoli, Sindoor, Kapoor, Janeu, Incense sticks, Niranjan, Puja Paan, Har-Phool, Panchamrit, Gur Khopra, Kharik, Almond, Coins, Five Types of Fruits, Chowki Pat, Kush Asana, Navedya etc.

In addition, Navratri will end after 06:21:56 on Friday, 15th October.