Navratri Ghatasthapana: Kalash Sthapana Step by Step

Ghatasthapana — the kalash sthapana on the first morning of Navratri — is the anchor for the next nine days. If you are doing it at home for the first time, here is what you need and how it goes.

When
Ghatasthapana is done in the first third of the day on Pratipada, avoiding Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga; where that is not possible, the Abhijit muhurat around midday is used. The window is specific and changes every year — get this year's timing from a panchang.

What you need
- A wide clay pot for the barley bed, and clean soil
- Barley seeds (jau) — a fistful or two
- A kalash — clay or brass — with water, a coin, akshat, haldi, a supari and a few durva
- Mango or ashoka leaves for the mouth of the kalash
- A whole coconut, wrapped in a red chunri and tied with kalava
- An akhand jyoti — a brass or clay lamp meant to stay lit all nine days — with enough ghee or oil and long batti
- An idol or photo of Maa Durga, red flowers, roli, kumkum, sindoor, dhoop, and shringar items for the Devi

The steps
1. Clean the spot, ideally the north-east of the puja room. Lay the soil in the pot and sow the barley, sprinkling a little water.
2. Fill the kalash about three-quarters with clean water; add the coin, akshat, haldi, supari and durva. Place the leaves around the rim.
3. Set the wrapped coconut on top of the leaves.
4. Place the kalash in the centre of the barley pot.
5. Invoke Maa Durga, offer roli–kumkum, akshat, flowers and dhoop, and light the akhand jyoti.

Through the nine days
- Water the barley lightly each morning; by Ashtami–Navami it is usually a few inches of green, which is considered auspicious.
- Keep the jyoti burning — top up the ghee, trim the wick, and keep it away from fans and the door.
- If the family fasts, run a separate vrat kitchen: kuttu and singhara atta, sendha namak, sabudana, ghee, potatoes, and vrat-friendly fruit.

Kanya Pujan
On Ashtami or Navami, nine girls — often with a boy as Batuk Bhairav — are invited, their feet washed, and offered halwa, puri, kale chane and a small gift. Keep the ingredients and the gifts ready a day ahead; everyone is inviting the same children on the same morning.

Shopping for it
A Navratri kit covers the kalash-sthapana items and the Devi shringar; the vrat groceries and the Kanya Pujan supplies can go in the same order, delivered on the date you choose.