Navratri, a revered Hindu festival, spans nine nights dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine divine forms. In 2025, the festival is observed twice:
- Magh Gupt Navratri: From January 30 to February 7, 2025.
- Chaitra Vasant Navratri: From March 30 to April 7, 2025.
Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) and Daily Puja Vidhi:
1. Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana):
This ritual marks the commencement of Navratri. It involves installing a Kalash (sacred pot) symbolizing Goddess Durga.
- Materials Needed:
- A clean, wide clay pot (Kalash)
- Sacred water (preferably Ganga Jal)
- Mango or Ashoka leaves
- Unpeeled coconut
- Red cloth
- Fresh flowers and garlands
- Durva grass (three blades)
- Betel nuts (Supari)
- Coins
- Raw rice (Akshat)
- Sweets and fruits for Naivedhya
- Procedure:
- Preparation: Clean the area where the puja will be performed.
- Kalash Setup:
- Place the Kalash on a raised platform or a clean surface.
- Fill it with water, adding coins and betel nuts.
- Place mango or Ashoka leaves around the mouth of the Kalash.
- Cover the mouth with an unpeeled coconut wrapped in red cloth.
- Place Durva grass on top of the coconut.
- Sowing Seeds:
- Surround the Kalash with a mixture of seven different grains (Sapta Dhanya) sown in soil, symbolizing prosperity.
- Invocation:
- Light a lamp and incense.
- Offer flowers and chant mantras to invoke Goddess Durga.
- Perform the Aarti.
This ritual is typically performed on the first day of Navratri, during the Pratipada tithi. The auspicious time (muhurat) for Ghatasthapana varies each year and should be consulted from a reliable panchang or local priest.
2. Daily Puja Vidhi:
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga. The daily rituals generally include:
- Morning Rituals:
- Sankalpa: Take a vow to observe the fast and rituals with devotion.
- Bathing: Perform a ritual bath to purify oneself.
- Altar Preparation: Clean and decorate the puja area with flowers and rangoli.
- Puja Procedure:
- Invocation: Light a lamp and incense.
- Offerings:
- Place fresh flowers and garlands on the idol or image of the Goddess.
- Offer fruits, sweets, and other items as Naivedhya.
- Chanting:
- Recite specific mantras and hymns dedicated to the day’s form of the Goddess.
- Chant the Durga Saptashati or Durga Ashtakshari mantra.
- Aarti: Perform the Aarti to conclude the puja.
- Evening Rituals:
- Kanya Puja: On the eighth or ninth day, young girls (symbolizing the Goddess) are invited and honored with offerings.
- Havan: A sacred fire ritual is performed to seek blessings.
The specific form of Goddess Durga worshipped each day is as follows:
| Day | Form of Goddess Durga | Mantra |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shailaputri | ॐ शैलपुत्र्यै नमः |
| 2 | Brahmacharini | ॐ ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः |
| 3 | Chandraghanta | ॐ चंद्रघंटायै नमः |
| 4 | Kushmanda | ॐ कुष्मांण्डायै नमः |
| 5 | Skandamata | ॐ स्कन्दमातायै नमः |
| 6 | Katyayani | ॐ कात्यायन्यै नमः |
| 7 | Kalaratri | ॐ कालरात्र्यै नमः |
| 8 | Mahagauri | ॐ महागौर्यै नमः |
| 9 | Siddhidatri | ॐ सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः |
These mantras are chanted to invoke the blessings of the respective forms of the Goddess.
Observing Navratri with devotion is believed to purify the mind and body, leading to spiritual growth and prosperity.