Sharad Navaratri – Ghatasthapana 2017 Date: Muhurat Timings and Puja Vidhi to Begin Navaratri Carnival
Sharad Navaratri: Sharad Navaratri is the most popular festival among the 5 Navratris. Sharad Navaratri will be beginning from 21st September and it will be continue till September 29.
One of the huge celebration and carnival of the Hinduism is dedicated to Goddess Durga.
In spite of diverse style in celebrations from region to region; the devotees’ main concern is to worship Maa Shakti in nine forms during the nine days of Sharad Navaratri.
Sharad Navaratri – Ghatasthapana 2017 Date: Muhurat Timings and Puja Vidhi to Begin Navaratri Carnival
The celebration started with the incantation of Devi Durga with a traditional ritual (puja vidhi) called Ghatasthapana Puja, which is also regarded as the Kalash Sthapana.
Ghatasthapana muhurat falls on Pratipada Tithi (first day) of Sharad Navaratri. It marks the beginning of nine days festivity which is also important to carry the occasion on the auspicious time or shubh muhurat.
The first day or Pratipada of Navratri 2017 falls on Thursday. Devotees will be performing Ghatasthapana Puja and also they will be worship Maa Shailputri on the day.
Devi Shailputri is the first manifestation of Goddess Durga so she is being worshipped on the first day of Sharad Navaratri.
The perfect time to perform Ghatasthapana puja is the first one-third of the day.
The Hindu scriptures clearly state that the long-established ceremony and it also indicates that on the puja of Sharad Navaratri will begin on the shubh muhurat otherwise it can make the Goddess Shakti anger as per beliefs.
Sharad Navratri Ghatasthapana 2017 Muhurat
As per the DrikPanchang.com, 2017 Shardiya Navratri Ghatasthapana Muhurat is 06:30 am to 08:19 am on Pratipada Tithi, on 21st September.
Durga devotees will have the duration of 1 hour and 48 minutes shubh muhurat it is the perfect time to start the Ghatasthapana Puja.
The Pratipada Tithi begins at 10:59 on20th September and it ends at 10:34 the next day. Performing Ghatasthapana Puja during Amavasya time is prohibited.
Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi on Sharad Navratri
Ghatasthapana is also known as Kalash Sthapana or Kalashsthapana. Before the devotee could do the appeal to Goddess Durga, they must place a holy Kalash in the name of Maa Durga.
As per the Drik Panchang, the first step is to take a wide clay pot (the one which would be used to keep the Kalash) to sow the grains. Spread the first layer of the soil into the pot afterword you will spread some grain seeds on it.
Now add the second layer of the soil and grains in the same process.
In the second layer, grains must be spread out very close to the periphery of the pot. Now spread the third and final layer of the soil into the pot. If needed add little water to the pot with the help of water you can set the soil.
In the second step, you will start with tying the sacred thread (colourful moli) on the neck of the Kalash, before that make sure to fill the kalash with holy water.
Drop Supari (betel nut), scent (perfume), Durva grass, Akshat (rice) and coins into the water. Keep five leaves of ashoka or mango tree at the edge of the Kalash afterward you will be cover it with a lid.
In the third step, take the un-peeled coconut after wrapping it with red cloth. Wrap the coconut in a red cloth and the sacred thread (Moli). It now turns to keep the coconut on top of the Kalash which we prepared earlier.
Now put the Kalash in the center of the grain pot. After the Kalash is ready, the devotee can start their puja and call up the Goddess Durga on this Shrada Navaratri.
When we prayed to Goddess Durga it is we are praying to the ultimate divine feminine power which is as per believes present in the Kalash on all the nine days. One must sprinkle water on it for each nine days.
Panchopachara Puja
After calling up the Goddess Durga is done, the devotee must worship the Kalash. This is called Panchopachara Puja, and for this puja, you need five Puja items. Light a diya and invoke all Gods and worship the kalash now.
You need to burn incense or dhoop sticks in front of the Kalash and Maa Durga’s idol. Now you will offer flowers and scent or Chandan (sandalwood) on Kalash.
At the last moment, you will be end the Panchopachara Puja of Ghatasthapana by offering Naivedhya or Prasad, from sweets to fruits.
In order to prepare Naivedhya which is very important Prasad in every Hindu festival, especially in Sharad Navratri.
In Naivedhya you need to take a plate and you will keep 9 kinds of fruits, dry fruits, sweets, laddoos in a different side of the plate.
