Devi Navratri Ghatasthapana 2026

Devi Navratri Ghatasthapana (kalasha sthapana) is performed on the morning of Ashwayuja Shukla Padyami. By invoking the Divine Mother into this kalasham, the nine nights of Sharannavaratri and the Dasara festival begin, and the kalasham stays at the centre of home worship until Vijayadashami.

Meaning of Ghatasthapana

The scriptures describe the kalasham as the abode of all deities; the kalasha puja mantras say Vishnu dwells at its mouth, Rudra at its neck, Brahma at its base and the Matrikas in its middle. During Sharannavaratri, Goddess Durga is invoked into it and worshipped for nine days. Texts such as the Devi Bhagavatam describe the Goddess battling Mahishasura for nine nights and triumphing on Dashami, which is celebrated as Vijayadashami.

Auspicious time

The best time is the morning while Padyami tithi prevails, ideally in the first part of the day after sunrise. If that is not possible, panchangam makers allow the Abhijit muhurtam around midday. Many also advise avoiding Chitta nakshatram and Vaidhriti yogam where possible. Follow the time given in your local panchangam.

How to do Ghatasthapana

• Clean the house and puja room the day before and tie mango-leaf toranams at the doorways.
• Spread clean soil in a clay tray and sow navadhanyalu or barley/jonnalu, which sprout over the nine days.
• Fill a copper, brass or clay kalasham with pure water and add turmeric, kumkum, akshatalu, a coin, betel leaf and nut.
• Place mango leaves at its mouth and set a husked coconut wrapped in red cloth on top.
• Begin with Ganapati puja and sankalpam, invoke Goddess Durga into the kalasham and perform shodashopachara puja.
• Many families light an akhanda deepam and keep it burning all nine days.

Dasara in the Telugu states

Ghatasthapana sets the Dasara mood across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sharannavaratri utsavams are celebrated grandly at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada and at Bhramaramba Devi's temple in Srisailam, where devotees throng to see the Goddess in a different alankaram each day. In Telangana, Bathukamma, which begins with Engili Pula Bathukamma on Mahalaya Amavasya, continues through these days, and some families also set up Bommala Koluvu from today.

May Jaganmata dwell in your kalasham and protect your home through all nine days.