How to do navratri kalash sthapana - Navratri Kalash Sthapana, also known as Ghatasthapana, is an important Hindu ritual performed at the beginning of Sharad Navratri. The ceremony marks the start of nine days of devotion to Goddess Durga and her nine manifestations, collectively known as Navadurga. Devotees establish a sacred pot called a kalash, sow barley seeds in a pot of soil and offer prayers to invoke the blessings of Maa Durga.

How to do Navratri Kalash Sthapana (Ghatasthapana): Complete Vidhi, Muhurat and Mantras

Ghatasthapana, also called Kalash Sthapana, is the first and most important ritual of Navratri. It is the formal invocation of Goddess Shakti into a sacred vessel (the Kalash or Ghata), where She is worshipped for the nine days of the festival. The Kalash represents the cosmos and the Goddess herself. The barley or grain sprouts sown beneath it symbolise growth, prosperity and new beginnings.

Ghatasthapana Muhurat (Auspicious Time)

Timing matters a great deal here. The scriptures warn that invoking the Goddess at the wrong time is inauspicious.

• Best time: the first one-third of the day while Pratipada Tithi is in effect.
• Alternative: if that window is unavailable, perform it during Abhijit Muhurat.
• Prohibited: Amavasya and night time.
• Avoid if possible: Chitra Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga. These are discouraged but not forbidden.
• Golden rule: complete the ritual before Hindu midday while Pratipada is still prevailing.

Muhurat varies by city, so check a local Panchang for your location and note the exact time in advance.

Puja Samagri (Items Required)

You will also need a diya, incense sticks, fruits and sweets for Naivedya, and a red cloth or mat for the altar.

Preparation Before You Begin

1. Clean the puja space thoroughly and, if possible, keep it in the North-East part of the home.
2. Bathe and wear clean clothes. Red or yellow is considered auspicious.
3. Spread a clean cloth on a raised platform and place the Goddess's image or idol there.
4. Sit facing East or North.

Step-by-Step Kalash Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Grain Pot

1. Spread a first layer of clean soil in the wide clay pot.
2. Sprinkle the Sapta Dhanya or barley seeds over it.
3. Add a second layer of soil, then spread more seeds, this time near the periphery of the pot.
4. Cover with a third and final layer of soil.
5. Sprinkle a little water to set the soil. Do not make it soggy.

Step 2: Prepare the Kalash

1. Tie the Moli around the neck of the Kalash.
2. Fill it with holy water (ideally mixed with Ganga Jal) up to the neck.
3. Drop in the supari, scent, durva grass, akshat and coins.
4. Arrange the five Ashoka or mango leaves around the rim, with the tips facing outward and the stems inside.
5. Cover the Kalash with the lid and fill the lid with akshat.

Step 3: Prepare the Coconut

1. Wrap the unpeeled coconut in the red cloth.
2. Tie it with Moli.
3. Place it on the lid, with the pointed tip (the tuft end) facing upward.

Step 4: Install the Kalash

Place the finished Kalash in the centre of the grain pot. Your Kalash is now ready to receive the Goddess.

Mantras for Kalash Sthapana

Perform these in order. Each mantra comes with its meaning so that you can recite with understanding and devotion.

1. Pavitrikaran (Self-Purification)

Sprinkle a little water on yourself and your puja items while chanting:

हिन्दी:

ॐ अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा।
यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः॥

Transliteration:

Om apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato'pi vā |
yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bāhyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ ||

Meaning: Whether one is impure or pure, or in any condition whatsoever, whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu becomes pure both outwardly and inwardly.

2. Ganesh Vandana (Removing Obstacles)

Always begin with Lord Ganesha.

हिन्दी:

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

Transliteration:

Vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha |
nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā ||

Meaning: O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty body, whose brilliance equals a million suns, please remove all obstacles from my undertakings, always.

3. Sankalp (Solemn Resolve)

Take water, akshat and a flower in your right palm. State your name, gotra (if known), the date and place, and your intention to worship Goddess Durga during Navratri for peace, prosperity and well-being of your family. Then release the water on the ground.

A simple form:

हिन्दी:

ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। मम सकुटुम्बस्य सपरिवारस्य सर्वारिष्टनिवृत्तिपूर्वकं सर्वाभीष्टफलप्राप्त्यर्थं श्रीदुर्गादेवी-नवरात्र-पूजनमहं करिष्ये।

Transliteration:

Om Viṣṇur Viṣṇur Viṣṇuḥ | mama sakuṭumbasya saparivārasya sarvāriṣṭa-nivṛtti-pūrvakaṁ sarvābhīṣṭa-phala-prāptyarthaṁ Śrī Durgā-Devī Navarātra-pūjanam ahaṁ kariṣye |

Meaning: Om, invoking Lord Vishnu. For the removal of all misfortunes of myself, my family and household, and for the fulfilment of all noble wishes, I undertake the worship of Goddess Durga during Navratri.

4. Bhumi Pujan: Sowing the Grain

While spreading the soil and sowing the seeds:

हिन्दी:

ॐ भूरसि भूमिरस्यदितिरसि विश्वधाया विश्वस्य भुवनस्य धर्त्री।
पृथिवीं यच्छ पृथिवीं दृꣳह पृथिवीं मा हिꣳसीः॥

Transliteration:

Om bhūr asi bhūmir asy aditir asi viśvadhāyā viśvasya bhuvanasya dhartrī |
pṛthivīṁ yaccha pṛthivīṁ dṛṁha pṛthivīṁ mā hiṁsīḥ ||

Meaning: You are the Earth, the Mother, the sustainer of all beings and the supporter of the whole world. Support the earth, make it firm, and let no harm come to it.

5. Kalash Placing Mantra (Vedic)

While placing the Kalash on the grain pot:

हिन्दी:

ॐ आ जिघ्र कलशं मह्या त्वा विशन्त्विन्दवः।
पुनरूर्जा नि वर्तस्व सा नः सहस्रं धुक्ष्वोरुधारा पयस्वती पुनर्मा विशताद् रयिः॥

Transliteration:

Om ā jighra kalaśaṁ mahyā tvā viśantv indavaḥ |
punar ūrjā ni vartasva sā naḥ sahasraṁ dhukṣvorudhārā payasvatī punar mā viśatād rayiḥ ||

Meaning: (Roughly) Let this Kalash be filled with abundance. May the nourishing waters enter it, and may vitality and strength return to us. May this overflowing vessel bestow a thousandfold nourishment, and may wealth return to us again and again.

6. Kalash Prarthana (Deities Residing in the Kalash)

Touch the Kalash with your right hand and chant:

हिन्दी:

कलशस्य मुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रः समाश्रितः।
मूले तत्र स्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः॥
कुक्षौ तु सागराः सर्वे सप्तद्वीपा वसुन्धरा।
ऋग्वेदोऽथ यजुर्वेदः सामवेदो ह्यथर्वणः॥
अङ्गैश्च सहिताः सर्वे कलशं तु समाश्रिताः॥

Transliteration:

Kalaśasya mukhe Viṣṇuḥ kaṇṭhe Rudraḥ samāśritaḥ |
mūle tatra sthito Brahmā madhye mātṛ-gaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ ||
kukṣau tu sāgarāḥ sarve sapta-dvīpā vasundharā |
ṛgvedo'tha yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo hy atharvaṇaḥ ||
aṅgaiś ca sahitāḥ sarve kalaśaṁ tu samāśritāḥ ||

Meaning: At the mouth of the Kalash resides Lord Vishnu, at its neck Lord Rudra, and at its base Lord Brahma. In its middle dwell the Divine Mothers. In its belly are all the oceans, the seven continents and the Earth. The Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda, along with all their limbs, reside in this Kalash.

7. Invoking the Holy Rivers

Sprinkle a little Ganga Jal into the Kalash:

हिन्दी:

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु॥

Transliteration:

Gaṅge ca Yamune caiva Godāvari Sarasvati |
Narmade Sindhu Kāveri jale'smin sannidhiṁ kuru ||

Meaning: O Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri, please be present in this water.

8. Mantra for the Coconut and Leaves

हिन्दी:

ॐ याः फलिनीर्या अफला अपुष्पा याश्च पुष्पिणीः।
बृहस्पतिप्रसूतास्ता नो मुञ्चन्त्वꣳहसः॥

Transliteration:

Om yāḥ phalinīr yā aphalā apuṣpā yāś ca puṣpiṇīḥ |
bṛhaspati-prasūtās tā no muñcantv aṁhasaḥ ||

Meaning: May all the plants and herbs, whether bearing fruit or not, flowering or not, who were brought forth by Brihaspati, free us from all affliction and distress.

Invoking Goddess Durga (Avahan)

Now invite the Goddess to reside in the Kalash for the nine days. Hold a flower and a few grains of akshat, close your eyes, and chant:

Avahan Mantra

हिन्दी:

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः श्री दुर्गादेवि इहागच्छ, इह तिष्ठ।
श्री दुर्गादेव्यै नमः, आवाहयामि स्थापयामि॥

Transliteration:

Om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ Śrī Durgā-Devi, ihāgaccha, iha tiṣṭha |
Śrī Durgāyai namaḥ, āvāhayāmi sthāpayāmi ||

Meaning: Om, to the earth, the atmosphere and the heavens, O revered Goddess Durga, please come here and be seated here. I bow to Goddess Durga; I invoke You and establish You.

Offer the flower and akshat to the Kalash.

Durga Naam Mantra (Nine Names)

हिन्दी:

ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी।
दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Transliteration:

Om Jayantī Maṅgalā Kālī Bhadrakālī Kapālinī |
Durgā Kṣamā Śivā Dhātrī Svāhā Svadhā namo'stu te ||

Meaning: Salutations to You, O Goddess, who are Victorious, Auspicious, Kali, Bhadrakali and Kapalini, who are Durga, Forgiveness, Shiva (the benevolent) and the Sustainer, and who are Svaha and Svadha.

Panchopachara Puja (Five-Fold Worship)

Panchopachara means worship with five offerings. Offer each item to the Kalash and all the deities invoked in it.

The five offerings correspond to the five elements (Pancha Mahabhuta). The order above follows the sequence in your reference (lamp, incense, flowers, scent, then Naivedya). Some traditions begin with scent and flowers, so follow your family's custom.

Prayers to the Goddess After Offerings

Devi Stuti

हिन्दी:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Transliteration:

Yā Devī sarvabhūteṣu śakti-rūpeṇa saṁsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ||

Meaning: To the Goddess who dwells in all beings in the form of Shakti (power), I bow to Her again and again.

Sarva Mangala Mantra

हिन्दी:

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Transliteration:

Sarva-maṅgala-māṅgalye Śive sarvārtha-sādhike |
śaraṇye tryambake Gauri Nārāyaṇi namo'stu te ||

Meaning: O Auspicious One, the source of all auspiciousness, O Consort of Shiva who fulfils every purpose, O refuge of all, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani, I bow to You.

Navarna Mantra (for daily japa; chant 108 times with a rudraksha or crystal mala)

हिन्दी:

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥

Transliteration:

Om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ Cāmuṇḍāyai vicce ||

Meaning: This nine-syllable mantra invokes the three forms of the Goddess: Aim for Saraswati (wisdom), Hrim for Lakshmi (prosperity) and Klim for Kali (power). Cāmuṇḍāyai vicce is a call for Her protection and grace.

Kshama Prarthana (Seeking Forgiveness)

Conclude by asking forgiveness for any errors made in the ritual:

हिन्दी:

आवाहनं न जानामि न जानामि विसर्जनम्।
पूजां चैव न जानामि क्षमस्व परमेश्वरि॥

Transliteration:

Āvāhanaṁ na jānāmi na jānāmi visarjanam |
pūjāṁ caiva na jānāmi kṣamasva Parameśvari ||

Meaning: I do not know how to invoke You, nor how to bid You farewell. I do not know how to worship You either. O Supreme Goddess, please forgive me.

Finish with the Durga Aarti and distribute the prasad.

Light the Akhand Jyoti (Optional but Traditional)

Many families light an Akhand Jyoti (a lamp that burns continuously) beside the Kalash for all nine days. If you do, use ghee or sesame oil, keep it shielded from drafts, and make sure someone is always present to tend it. If you cannot keep it burning continuously, an ordinary diya lit morning and evening is acceptable.

Daily Care During the Nine Days

• Water the grains lightly each morning and evening. The sprouts should grow green over the nine days.
• Do not move the Kalash once installed.
• Worship twice daily (morning and evening) with a lamp, incense, flowers and the Navarna mantra or Durga Saptashati path.
• Keep the space clean and maintain satvik conduct: avoid onion, garlic, meat and alcohol, and speak kindly.
• Worship the nine forms of Durga (Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri), one on each day.

Tips for a Correct Ghatasthapana

1. Confirm the muhurat for your city beforehand.
2. Keep the Kalash facing North-East, with the coconut's tuft pointing up.
3. Don't use a cracked or damaged pot.
4. Never perform the ritual at night or on Amavasya.
5. If you are unsure of any part of the mantras, sincere devotion and the simple Kshama Prarthana are always acceptable.

Visarjan (Conclusion)

On Navami or Dashami, after the final puja:

1. Offer a farewell prayer and thank the Goddess for residing in your home.
2. Use the sprouted barley as prasad. Keep some in the puja space and, by tradition, some in the family's wallet or cash box.
3. Immerse the Kalash water in a river or at the base of a tree. Do not discard it carelessly.

May Maa Durga bless you and your family with strength, health and prosperity. Jai Mata Di! 🙏

A note on the mantras: pronunciation and the exact wording of Sankalp and Avahan vary slightly between traditions and regions. For household worship, follow your family priest's or lineage's practice where it differs.