Sharad Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana) 2026

About Sharad Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)

Sharad Navratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada with Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana). For nine nights the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped, ending with Dussehra on the tenth day.

How the date is fixed

It is kept on the day the tithi is present at sunrise. If the tithi starts and ends between two sunrises, it is kept on the day it falls.

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Story and meaning of Sharad Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)

Navratri recalls the battle between Goddess Durga and the buffalo demon Mahishasura, which lasted nine nights. The gods, unable to defeat him, joined their powers to create Durga, who killed the demon on the tenth day. Each of the nine nights is for one form of the Goddess: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

Sharad Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana) puja vidhi

1. On the first day, do Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) in the muhurat shown above and sow barley in a clean pot.
2. Light an akhand jyoti and worship the form of the Goddess for each day.
3. Read the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa daily, and keep fasts with fruit and sabudana if your family does.
4. On Ashtami or Navami, do Kanya Pujan: wash the feet of nine girls, feed them halwa, chana and puri and give gifts.
5. On Dashami, take the sowing of barley as prasad and do visarjan.

This is a common vidhi. Families and regions follow their own variations, so ask your priest for a special puja.