Chaitra Navratri Navratri Ghatasthapana 2026

Chaitra Navratri Ghatasthapana is the installation of the sacred kalasham on the first day of Vasanta Navratri, invoking the Divine Mother into it. It takes place on Chaitra Shukla Padyami — the same day as Ugadi, the Telugu New Year. This kalasham becomes the centre of worship for all nine days.

Meaning of Ghatasthapana

A kalasham filled with water symbolises creation and abundance. The kalasha puja verses say Vishnu dwells at its mouth, Rudra at its neck, Brahma at its base and the Matrikas in its middle — so it is worshipped as the abode of the gods. In North India Chaitra Navratri is the worship of the Navadurgas. In Telugu homes, alongside Ugadi pachadi and Panchanga Shravanam, many families begin Sri Rama Navaratrulu on this day and read the Ramayana till Sri Rama Navami, while devotees of Ammavaru install the kalasham and take the Vasanta Navratri deeksha.

What You Need

A copper, brass or clay kalasham, clean water, mango leaves, a coconut with its husk tuft, a red cloth, turmeric, kumkuma, akshatas, flowers, betel leaves, areca nut, a coin, a wide clay tray, soil, and navadhanyalu or barley seeds.

Ghatasthapana Vidhanam

• Take a head bath on Ugadi morning, clean the puja space and draw a muggu.
• Begin with Vighneshwara puja and take the sankalpam for the Navratri deeksha.
• Fill the clay tray with soil, scatter the navadhanyalu and sprinkle water; they sprout over the nine days.
• Fill the kalasham with water, add turmeric, akshatas, a coin and areca nut, arrange mango leaves, and place a coconut wrapped in red cloth on top.
• Set the kalasham in the centre of the seed tray or on a plate of rice and invoke the Goddess.
• Those who keep an akhanda deepam should ensure it burns through all nine days; offer deeparadhana and naivedyam every morning and evening.

Muhurtham and Niyamas

Ghatasthapana is best done in the morning while Padyami tithi prevails; otherwise the midday Abhijit muhurtham is used. It is not done during Amavasya tithi. Check the tithi timings shown on this page and consult your purohit if needed. Those under deeksha follow satvik food, celibacy and cleanliness for nine days.

May the Divine Mother, invoked in this Ugadi kalasham, dwell in our homes and bless the whole new year with peace and joy.