Shardiya Navratri will commence from October 3 and will continue till October 12. According to Devi Bhagwat and Markandeya Purana, nine forms of Maa Durga are worshiped during this period and fasting is observed in these nine days of Navratri.
The Navratri havan is performed on Maha Navami and the days of fasting gets completed on Dashami.
On the first day of Navratri, which falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada Tithi, Kalash Sthapana is done and Maa Durga is invoked. Following this ritual, the worship starts.
Tirupati astrologer Dr. Krishna Kumar Bhargava speaks in detail about how to do Kalash Sthapana, what are the puja samagris needed and the auspicious time for this ritual.
The first day of Sharadiya Navratri falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada Tithi. According to the Panchang, Ashwin Shukla Pratipada Tithi starts from 12:18 am on October 2 to 2:58 am on October 4.
According to Udayatithi, the Ashwin Shukla Pratipada Tithi is on October 3. Hence, the first day of Navratri is on Thursday, October 3 during which Kalash Sthapana will be done.
The auspicious time for Kalash Sthapana of Sharadiya Navratri is from 6:15 am to 7:22 am and the Abhijit Muhurta is from 11:46 am to 12:33 pm.
What are the puja samagris needed?
An earthen urn, Raksha Sutra, Gangajal, seven types of grains, barley, green leaves of mango and Ashoka, banana leaves, Jatawala coconut, dry coconut, Akshat, incense, lamp, camphor, cotton wick, cow ghee, roli, sandalwood, cow dung, betel leaf, betel nut, cloves, cardamom, naivedya, fruits, hibiscus flowers, a garland of flowers, Panchameva, matchbox, a flag of Matarani are some of the puja samagris needed for Kalash Sthapana.
Importance of Kalash Sthapana
It is believed that establishing a Kalash removes negativity as it brings happiness, prosperity and peace in the home. Additionally, it is said to promote good health for all family members, as the Kalash is thought to protect the house from diseases.
Kalash is also considered to be the symbol of Vighnaharta Shri Ganesh. With His grace, obstacles in work are removed, and auspiciousness is enhanced.
What is the Method of Kalash Sthapana?
1. On the first day, one should take a pledge to fast on Navratri and worship Maa Durga. Following this, one should bow to Ganesh and place a wooden stand in the northeast corner of the place of worship for Kalash Sthapana.
2. One should spread a red or yellow cloth on the stand and place paddy or sapta dhanya on it. Then the Kalash should be placed on it. The Raksha Sutra should be wrapped around the neck of the Kalash and tilak should be applied to it. Following this, Gangajal and water should be poured in the Kalash.
3. After this, one should put Akshat, flowers, betel nut, coin, durva, turmeric, sandalwood in the Kalash. Then, mango and Ashoka leaves should be placed in it. The Kalash should then be covered with a lid.
4. The Raksha Sutra should then we wrapped on the dry coconut. The lid of the Kalash should be filled with Akshat and the coconut should be placed on it. Thus the Kalash Sthapana will be completed.
5. After Kalash Sthapana, Ganesh ji, Varun Dev and other deities should be worshipped. Maa Durga should be worshipped. Then, Her first form, Maa Shaitraputri should also be worshipped.
6. Holy soil should be placed near the Kalash and barley should be put in it. Then water should be sprinked on it so that the barley gets appropriate moisture to grow. This barley should be kept throughout Navratri. It is believed that the greener the barley is the more ones family will be filled with happiness and prosperity.
